What type of hydraulic cylinder should I use in my application?
When deciding on a hydraulic cylinder for your application, there are several design options to consider. To ensure longevity, dependability, and efficiency, the right type of engineering and manufacturing the right hydraulic cylinder for your needs is paramount.
Standard, Telescopic, and Tie-Rod Cylinders
Standard Hydraulic Cylinders
Standard hydraulic cylinders are common in applications where high nominal strength and mounting space restrictions are not a concern. The extended stroke length of a standard hydraulic cylinder is less than the overall length of the barrel. The main distinguishing feature of a standard hydraulic cylinder is the head and base of the cylinder barrel is welded, screwed, or connected with bolts or nuts. Standard hydraulic cylinders are used in mobile machinery, steel and iron working, civil engineering, presses, cranes, offshore applications, and shipbuilding.
Telescopic Hydraulic Cylinders
Telescopic hydraulic cylinders are used in hydraulic lifting applications, or where large amplitudes of motion are needed but limited space is available. Telescopic hydraulic cylinders are made up of multiple stages, where the piston rod collapses into a larger piston rod, two or more times. This allows the telescopic hydraulic cylinder to extend to at least two times the length of the barrel. Telescopic hydraulic cylinders are used in mobile and industrial hydraulic systems such as dumping, lifting, and applications where space is a consideration.
Tie-Rod Hydraulic Cylinders
The main distinguishing feature of the tie-rod cylinder is its construction style. The top and bottom of the tie-rod cylinder, as well as the cylinder barrel, are connected together by four or more tie-rods that extend from the head to the base of the tie-rod cylinder to hold it together. Tie-rod cylinders function as standard hydraulic cylinders. Tie-rod hydraulic cylinders are used in industrial machine tools, the automotive industry, plastics machinery, transfer lines, and other manufacturing devices.
Single-Acting or Double-Acting Hydraulic Cylinders
There are two functional types of hydraulic cylinders: double acting and single acting. Single-acting hydraulic cylinders apply force on the piston in only one direction. This means gravity or a counterweight is required to return the hydraulic cylinder to it’s resting state. Single-acting hydraulic cylinders can be standard, telescopic, or tie-rod hydraulic cylinders.
Double acting hydraulic cylinders can apply force in two directions, allowing for precise control of extension as well as retraction of the piston rod. This allows for more mounting options and can be used for more complex control systems such as horizontal pushing and pulling in a compactor, extending a plow, or in complex digging equipment controls. Double acting hydraulic cylinders can be standard, telescopic, or tie-rod hydraulic cylinders.
For hydraulic cylinder solutions that eliminate downtime, Hydraulic Cylinders Inc. goes the distance with product and knowledge. Contact one of our experts at 888-771-1894 to help determine which solution works for you.
