A hydraulic cylinder is a mechanical actuator (a type of motor responsible for moving a system) that gives unidirectional force from a unidirectional stroke. It is applied in construction equipment, manufacturing machinery, and civil engineering. Hydraulic cylinders are classified into two categories depending on their functions and structure: single-acting and double-acting cylinders.
There are many hydraulic cylinders in the market, and this guide is aimed at making your work easier when you want to buy a hydraulic cylinder tube cross or clevis end by giving you all the necessary information. On top of that, we have reviewed seven hydraulic cylinders we think are worth your money.
Factors to consider before buying a hydraulic cylinder tube cross
- Mass
You must find the amount of weight you wish to move and once the mass is known you must then consider the effect that the mass will have on the force required to move it. The force of the cylinder should always be high enough to allow for a margin of error.
- Geometry
Once you recognize the character of the mass being moved you then have to be compelled to think about the mathematics concerned with moving it. For a machine like a press, which moves up and down, the geometry is easy and needs no additional thought. However, once the center of the load being moved isn’t focused on the point of lift force and at perpendicular angles to that point of life force, the force required by the cylinder changes. If you’ve got a crane, for instance, the cylinder pushes on the boom usually terribly off from the load.
- Bore size
Once you calculate the force needed by your cylinder, the next step is to determine the bore size required of the cylinder. The force generated by the cylinder is simply the product of the system pressure multiplied by the area of the internal piston surface upon which that pressure acts. This formula is used to calculate the bore size needed to achieve that force.
- Rod Size
Once a minimum cylinder bore size is calculated, the next step to the selection of a hydraulic cylinder tube cross is to determine the appropriate rod size. Selecting the required rod size calls for careful consideration of the stroke length needed which affects the rod buckling strength.
- Consider the Mount
Cylinder mounts are divided into two basic categories: pivoted and straight-line mounts. Selecting the correct amount for an application depends on the desired movement of the load. Pivoted mounts can be used where a load needs to be moved through an arc. Straight-line mounts are required when the load needs to move in a linear direction.
- Environmental Conditions
Knowing the environment the cylinder is going to operate in is crucial in selecting the appropriate materials, seals, and finishes. The material of the cylinder can be changed to meet specific environmental conditions.
Do we know how these cylinders work on such loads? I think this industrial video that describes the manufacturing methods on a hydraulic cylinder will give us a great idea (Also it could help and influence the purchase decisions a lot.)
Hydraulic Cylinder – Best Product Reviews
Mighty Double Acting Hydraulic Welded Cylinder, Tube Cross – 2.5″ Bore x 18″ Stroke
This is a double-acting cylinder with 3000PSI operating pressure from Mighty. The unit weighs 30.8 pounds. It is a steel welded type of construction and has a weld-on cross tube. This cylinder is ideal for construction and agricultural applications as well as metal fabricating, waste/recycling, and OEM manufacture of trailers. It is fitted with heavy wall steel tubing, ground and polished chrome piston rod with pin eye, and cast iron piston. It also has O-rings and backup washers. It has a track-type gland retainer. It has an impressive 5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Mighty Double Acting Hydraulic Welded Cylinder, Tube Cross – 2″ Bore x 18″ Stroke
This is almost an identical hydraulic cylinder tube cross with the Mighty welded with 2.5 inches bore. One difference is the size of the bore; this model has a 2-inch bore. This is a double-acting cylinder with 3000PSI operating pressure. It is also much lighter, weighing only 22 pounds. It is also a steel welded type of construction and has a weld-on cross tube. It is ideal for construction and agricultural applications as well as metal fabricating, waste/recycling, and OEM manufacture trailers. All other specifications remain the same as the Tube Cross – 2.5″ Bore x 18″ Stroke. It also has an impressive 5 out of 5 stars rating on Amazon.
Mighty Double Acting Hydraulic Welded Cylinder, Tube Cross – 1.5″ Bore x 12″ Stroke
Another hydraulic cylinder from Mighty makes our list. This is a small piece of equipment weighing only 14.1 pounds with a 1.5-inch bore and 12inch stroke. It is ideal for construction and agricultural applications as well as metal fabricating, waste/recycling, and Original Equipment Manufacturer of trailers. All other parameters and specifications are identical to the Mighty Double Acting Hydraulic Welded Cylinder, Tube Cross – 2.5″ Bore x 18″ Stroke. Unlike the other two bigger cylinders from Mighty, this unit has a rating of 3.3 stars out of 5 on Amazon with a customer complaining that the length of the tube was not giving in the description and it was too wide to fit his loader.
Double Acting Welded Hydraulic Cylinder 3″ Bore 16″ Stroke Clevis End
This black, steel-made hydraulic cylinder from Magister Hydraulics weighs 36.9 pounds and has an operating pressure of 3000 PSI. It can be used in many types of machinery such as construction, transportation, agriculture, and waste. It is a double-action, heavy-duty hydraulic cylinder clevis end. It is fitted with a high tensile honed cold thin tube rod. It also has a high tensile ground & polished hard chrome plated rod gland. It is constructed from high tensile steel for heavy-duty applications. It comes with a one-year limited warranty. It also boasts a 5 out of 5 stars rating on Amazon albeit only from one review.
Double Acting Welded Hydraulic Cylinder 4″ Bore 16″ Stroke Cross Tube End
Another cylinder from Magister Hydraulics makes our list. It has a 4-inch bore and 16-inch Stroke Cross tube end. It has an operating pressure of 3000 PSI and weighs 56.6 pounds. The cylinder is used in various types of machinery such as construction, transportation, agriculture, and waste. Apart from the increased weight, larger bore size and Cross end instead of a Clevis end, all the other specifications are identical to the Double Acting Welded Hydraulic Cylinder 3″ Bore 16″ Stroke Clevis End cylinder. The cylinder has not yet been rated on Amazon.
Mighty Double Acting Welded Hydraulic Cylinder, Tube Cross – 4″ Bore x 24″ Stroke
This 68 pound, double-acting hydraulic cylinder from Mighty has a 3000 PSI operating pressure. It notably has a wide bore and long stroke of 4 inches and 24 inches respectively. This hydraulic cylinder is suitable for construction and agricultural applications as well as metal fabricating and waste/recycling. It is fitted with heavy wall steel tubing, ground and polished chrome piston rod with pin eye, and cast iron piston. Has O-rings and backup washers. It also has a track-type gland retainer. It has a 5 star out of 5 ratings on Amazon.
G-FORCE 11460 4-Inch Bore 24-Inch Stroke Tie Rod Hydraulic Cylinder
This G-Force Tie-Rod Hydraulic Cylinder is built for agricultural and industrial applications. It is quite a big clevis end hydraulic cylinder with a 4-inch bore and 24-inch stroke. It is double acting with an operating pressure of 2500 psi. The unit is 100% Hydro-pressure tested. It has Chrome plated rod surface treatment. The product also comes with a one-year limited warranty from G-FORCE. It has an excellent rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Tips for using hydraulic cylinder tube cross
- Inspect every component before you set up your hydraulic cylinder system. Never use damaged or worn-out parts.
- Read all instructions and warning labels. Operating instructions must be understood before using the cylinder.
- Only fill the pump to the recommended level; only fill it when a connected cylinder is fully retracted.
- Avoid exposing the cylinder to extreme heat or weld splatter
- Always check the specific mounting, and bore sizes to be sure it hasn’t been de-rated in pressure.
- Be aware of the environmental conditions the cylinder will be exposed to. Although the cylinder may be compatible with the operating fluid, external fluid may degrade the rod seal
- Make sure you don’t ignore the linear velocity of the cylinder. It may be advisable to use a proportional valve or even an external shock absorber to handle excessive deceleration or to absorb kinetic energy.
- You should be aware of the type of internal piston sealing method used in the cylinder you’ve specified.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between single-acting and double-acting cylinders?
A single-acting hydraulic cylinder will only extend by pressure from a pump and then retract by the weight of the load or by an internal spring. A double-acting hydraulic cylinder, on the other hand, employs the use of hydraulic power to both extend and retract. An easy way to differentiate the cylinders is to look at the number of ports. A Single acting cylinder will have only one port for the connection of a hydraulic hose. A double-acting hydraulic cylinder tube cross will have two ports.
2. What are some common causes of cylinder failure?
-Sideloading – Sideloading is caused by the cylinder being misaligned which creates an unusual force on the piston rod.
-Contaminated Fluid – Contaminated fluid can cause premature rod seal failure
-Rough or scored rod – Rough places on the rod damage the seals and reduce their normal life resulting in the necessity for frequent replacement.
3. How does a hydraulic cylinder tube cross work?
The basic idea behind hydraulic cylinders is that force applied at one point is transferred to another point using an incompressible fluid. The hydraulic fluid is usually some oil. A simple hydraulic system consists of two pistons connected by a pipe filled with oil. As a force is applied to one piston, it is transmitted to the second piston through the oil in the pipe. Oil is in-compressible and, therefore, is a very efficient medium for the force to travel through; almost all the force applied to the first piston appears in the second.
4. How do I measure a cylinder?
Measure the pin to pin length when the cylinder is fully extended and fully retracted, measure the diameter of the rod, the bore of the cylinder will typically measure 0.25 inches–0.5 inches less than the outer diameter of the barrel, also determine the type and size of the ports. Finally, determine the type and size of the end mounts.
Conclusion
In summary, a hydraulic cylinder tube cross is a useful tool for use in construction equipment, agricultural industry, manufacturing machinery, and civil engineering. There are many models of hydraulic cylinders in the market and before buying you should consider your budget, the mass you want to lift, the bore size, the geometry, the rod size, and the hydraulic cylinder tube cross mount to make sure you get the right equipment for your particular application. To ensure the durability of the hydraulic cylinder and the safety of the operator, follow the maintenance procedures provided. Make sure to replace or repair worn-out or damaged cylinders. We hope this guide gave you all the necessary information that you need before making a decision on which hydraulic cylinder to buy.
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It stinks that contaminated fluid can cause cylinder failure. I didn’t know that affected it at all until recently when it broke and I think that was the reason. Thanks for helping me figure out how to choose a better hydraulic cylinder to replace my old one after I get my car repaired!
I’m sorry for loss. Also glad to hear that my topic helps you a lot. for any further query ask me here. I’ll be happy to answer all.
Great post! I think you have explained more about hydraulics and how they work than any other site I have read. I also appreciate that you put so many reviews up. You definitely have made the process of choosing a hydraulic cylinder easier for me.
Thanks. Please search the blog, there are lot of reviews regarding hydraulic section.
I appreciate your detailed tips for what you need to check when selecting a tube cross. I’ve never considered how important environmental conditions are, but I can see how that would be an important factor to consider. Of the six things that you listed, which would you say should take priority over the others? Thank you for all of the helpful information!
Thanks for reading my review. Personally I consider the Geometry a lot. If you can identify the proper Geometry of your desire product, matching all other points will be lot easier.
I have never heard of hydraulic cylinders before coming across this, but it sounds very interesting. I like how you point out that the size of the cylinder bore needs to match with the size of the rod. It looks like this can be quite a complicated process, so I think it would be beneficial to talk to a professional if I ever needed hydraulic cylinder services.
Before purchasing anything anyone should check things with experts. Although I’m writing these with all my expertise as I’m in this hydraulic section fr more then 10 years now.
Thanks