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Cylinder Basics

A hydraulic cylinder is a tool used to exert force in a linear direction. It is primarily used to push, pull, lift and lower loads. A hydraulic cylinder is part of a hydraulic system consisting of at least one hydraulic cylinder, hydraulic pump and hydraulic valve (which may be integrated on the pump). The system components are connected using hydraulic couplers, hoses and gauges. A hydraulic pump forces hydraulic oil into the cylinder, building pressure and extending the cylinder’s plunger. The amount of force the system exerts is determined by the capacity of the cylinder. The stroke of the cylinder is the maximum amount of distance that the plunger can exert force on the load. The degree of control and the speed with which the force is applied is determined by the pump and valve.

  1. Pump
  2. Gauge
  3. Auto-Damper Valve (V10)
  4. Gauge Adaptor
  5. Hydraulic Hose
  6. Male Coupler
  7. Female Coupler
  8. Cylinder
Useful Links
Hydraulic Basics
Cylinder Safety
Cylinder Speed Guide
Cylinder Speed Chart

Types of Cylinders

Hydraulic cylinders can be classified by numerous features (return types, plunger types, materials, category types, etc.), but the most basic classification is Return Types. All hydraulic cylinders can be classified by one of three Return Types, which are used to determine the direction that force is applied by the cylinder(s) – advance, retract or both.

Single-Acting, Load Return


Application
  • Intermittent use
  • Applies force in one direction; advance

Considerations
  • Lower cost compared to Spring Return and Double-Acting cylinders
  • More difficult to retract the plunger compared to both Spring Return and Double-Acting cylinders, especially in high capacity cylinders

Single-Acting, Spring Return


Application
  • Intermittent use
  • Applies force in one direction; advance

Considerations
  • Lower cost compared to Double-Acting cylinders
  • The spring will retract the plunger. This may take some time for high capacity and long stroke cylinders
  • Easier to retract the plunger compared to Load Return cylinders

Double-Acting, Hydraulic Return


Application
  • Higher cycle applications
  • Quick retraction required
  • Applies force in two directions; advance and retract

Considerations
  • More versatile
  • Easier to retract the plunger than Load Return and Spring Return cylinders
  • Able to control the retraction of the plunger
  • A pump with a 4-way valve is required

Cylinder Components

In general, hydraulic cylinders are comprised of several primary components; base, plunger, stop ring, coupler(s), and saddle. Additional components and features like collar threads, relief valves, lifting eyes, and Lock-nuts depend on the return type and category of the cylinder. The diagrams below show both primary and common components of a hydraulic cylinder.

  1. Saddle
  2. Plunger
  3. Base
  4. Coupler
  5. Base Holes
  6. Collar Thread
  7. Wear Band
  8. Seal
  9. Spring
  10. Stop Ring
  11. Lifting Eye
  12. Lock-nut

Single-Acting, Load Return, Lock-nut

HCL Series

Single-Acting, Spring Return

RC Series

Double-Acting, Hydraulic Return

HCR Series

Cylinder Features

The capacity of force that the cylinder is capable of exerting upon an object. The amount of force a hydraulic cylinder can generate is equal to the hydraulic pressure times the ‘effective area’ of the cylinder. (Good practice encourages using only 80% of the capacity.)

The total distance that the plunger extends from the cylinder base. (Good practice encourages using only 80% of the stroke.)

The speed at which the plunger will advance from the cylinder base; determined by the flow rate of the pump.

  • Single-Acting, Load Return
    • Hydraulic force can only be applied to the plunger in the advance direction. The plunger retracts into the cylinder by the weight of the load.
    • Generally able to lift, lower or push
      • (note: the addition of a Venturi Valve to an electric pump will create a vacuum effect within the cylinder which will assist with the retraction of the plunger)
  • Single-Acting, Spring Return
    • Hydraulic force can only be applied to the plunger in the advance direction. The plunger retracts into the cylinder with the assistance of a high-strength internal spring.
    • Able to lift OR lower, push OR pull.
  • Double-Acting, Hydraulic Return
    • Hydraulic force can be applied to the plunger in both the advance and retract directions.
    • Able to lift AND lower, push AND pull.

The internal surface area of the plunger/piston which with the hydraulic pressure acts upon to generate force. The larger the effective area, the larger the force created for a given applied pressure.

The minimum height of the cylinder with the plunger fully retracted.

Threads on top of the base which can be used to fasten a threaded object to the base of the cylinder.

  • Solid
  • Hollow / Center Hole
  • Telescopic

A Nut threaded onto the outside of the plunger which, when engaged, mechanically holds the load.

A saddle helps support the load and prevents damage to the end of the plunger and plunger threads.

The amount of oil required to actuate the cylinder to full stroke. The usable oil capacity of the pump you select should be greater than the total oil capacity of the cylinder(s) and hose(s).

Threads on the top of the plunger which can be used to fasten a threaded object to the plunger.

Application Considerations

  • Lifting / jacking or pushing
    • A solid plunger is best suited for general applications: lifting, pushing, jacking, lowering
  • Pressing
    • Double-acting cylinders are best suited for applications which require quick plunger retraction speeds
  • Pulling
    • Pull cylinders and hollow plunger cylinders are designed for pulling applications: Pulling parts together or apart, tensioning bars or cables
  • Lifting and lowering
    • Double-acting cylinders are designed for applications that require controlled lifting and controlled lowering. Other applications include those where retraction speed is important or when pushing AND pulling forces are required.
  • Lifting long distances
    • Telescopic Cylinders have longer stroke lengths and Climbing Jacks are designed to incrementally lift and crib in stages.
  • Holding the load
    • Lock-nut Cylinders are designed to mechanically support the load.
    • For intermittent or non-critical holds, valves can hydraulically hold the load.
  • Clamping or holding a fixture
    • Workholding Cylinders are designed for production related applications.

The collapsed height of the cylinder will provide guidance on whether it’ll fit your application. Low-height cylinders are designed for low clearance applications.

  • Cylinders with a lock-nut will mechanically support a load.
  • Check valves can be used to hold loads hydraulically.

Aluminum cylinders are much lighter than steel cylinders. However, they are only designed to provide 5,000 cycles at their recommended pressure.

Steel cylinders have a higher fatigue life compared to aluminum cylinders. Certain heavy-duty models are rated to last for more cycles.

Select series of cylinders have mounting holes and collar threads.

  • Outdoors or in harsh environments
    • Cylinders with a nitrocarburized surface treatment have an improved wear resistance and corrosion protection.
  • Wet or high temperatures
    • Extreme Environments cylinders, pumps and valves are designed for wet environments and high temperatures.

  • Select the appropriate pump for the oil capacity required.
  • If synchronization is important, chose an appropriate coordinated lifting system. Coordinated Lifting Pumps

Common Applications

The applications for hydraulic cylinders are nearly limitless. We offer standard hydraulic cylinders in hundreds of different configurations for just about any industrial, high-force application. Below are common applications, some considerations to help you choose the appropriate cylinder and the typical industries where each application can be found. Enerpac also offers custom cylinders and workholding cylinders.

Lifting / Lowering (Jacking)


Return Types
Single-Acting and Double-Acting

Considerations
  • Direction of force – advance, retract, or both
  • Height constraints – weight, handle, lifting eyes
  • Capacity – tonnage (remember the 80% rule)

Holding


Return Types
Single-Acting and Double-Acting

Considerations
  • Holding mechanism – mechanical or hydraulic holding
  • Height constraints – collapsed height
  • Capacity – additional force required to release mechanical Lock-nuts (remember the 80% rule)

Pulling / Pushing


Return Types
Single-Acting and Double-Acting

Considerations
  • Piston type – solid or hollow piston
  • Direction of force – advance, retract, or both
  • Capacity – tonnage (remember the 80% rule)

Production / Pressing


Return Types
Double-Acting

Considerations
  • Mounting capabilities – collar threads, plunger threads, base mounting holes
  • Cycle – high or low cycles
  • Stroke – short, medium, long stroke
  • Capacity – tonnage (remember the 80% rule)

Cylinder Category Overview

Cylinders
General Purpose Low Height Lightweight High Tonnage Lock-nut Hollow Pull Telescopic Workholding Custom
Steel cylinders designed for general applications Cylinders designed for low clearance application Aluminum cylinders designed for weight sensitive applications Cylinders designed as standards for high tonnage applications up to 1000 tons Cylinders designed to mechanically hold a load in place Cylinders designed for pulling or pushing objects (like cables and bars) through the plunger Cylinders designed for pulling objects together or apart Cylinders designed for longer stroke in lower clearance applications Cylinders designed for low pressure production applications like clamping and holding Cylinders designed to meet your high pressure needs
The Enerpac Lifting Portfolio
Hydraulic & Mechanical Jacks Lifting Wedge & Toe Jacks Cylinders & Rams Climbing Jacks Wheeled Jacks Skidding Systems Strand Jacks SyncHoist SyncLift Pumps Gantries Jack-Up Systems
Manual jacks designed for simple lifting applications Designed for lifting equipment with minimum available access A versatile tool designed for a wide range of high-force applications Stage-lifting jacks for incrementally lifting and lowering loads in combination with cribbing blocks Portable jacks on wheels for lifting heavy loads Jack and slide heavy loads over a pre-constructed track A linear winch designed to lift heavy loads with synchronous control Cylinders mounted below-the-hook enabling a single crane to precisely position heavy loads Synchronize the movement of multiple cylinders with a PLC control Lift and position heavy loads with precision Incremental lifting systems designed to synchronously lift and mechanically hold heavy loads
Maximum Capacity: up to 110 tons (980 kN) Maximum Capacity: 20 tons (178 kN) Maximum Capacity: 1109 tons (10644 kN) Maximum Capacity: 220 tons (1995 kN) Maximum Capacity: 200 tons (1779 kn) Maximum Skid Capacity: 45 tons (40 metric tons) Maximum Capacity: 1405 tons (1250 metric tons) Maximum Capacity: 250 tons (225 metric tons) Maximum Number of Lift Points: 12 Maximum Capacity: 1178 tons (1069 metric tons) four legs Maximum Capacity: 840 tons (750 metric tons) per jack
Maximum Stroke: 18.11” (460 mm) Maximum Stroke: 6.18”(157 mm) Maximum Stroke: 48” (1219 mm) Maximum Stroke: 6.34” (161 mm) Maximum Stroke: 24.5” (622 mm) Maximum Push/Pull Stroke: 23.62” (600 mm) Maximum Stroke: 23.6” (600 mm) Maximum Stroke: 59” (1500 mm) Accuracy of Stroke: 0.04” (1 mm) Maximum Lift Height: 39.38 ft (12002 mm) Maximum Lift Height: 66 ft (20 m)
Jacks Lifting Tools Cylinders Climbing Jacks Wheeled Jacks Skidding Systems Strand Jacks SyncHoist Systems SyncLift Systems Gantries Jack-Up Systems

Cylinder Series Summary

  Series Type Return Type Capacity
Tonnage Class (kN)		 Stroke
Inch (mm)		 Collapsed Height
Inch (mm)		 Base
Mounting		 Material Surface Treatment Features (Standard on most models) Accessories (Optional)
RC General Purpose Single-Acting, Spring Return 5- 100 0.63- 14.25 1.63- 19.39 Yes Steel Paint  Lifting eyes Saddle, Base Plate, Mounting Block, Clevis Eye, Handle
(45 -933) (16- 362) (41- 492)
RAC Lightweight Single-Acting, Spring Return 10- 150 1.97- 9.84 6.85- 17.44 Yes Aluminum Anodized Bolt-on Removable Saddles, Base Plate Mounting Holes Tilt Saddle, Base Plate
(88 -1589) (50- 250) (154-443)
RACL Lightweight,
Lock-nut		 Single-Acting, Spring Return 20- 150 1.97- 9.84 8.83- 20.59 Yes Aluminum Anodized Bolt-on Removable Saddles, Base Plate Mounting Holes, Lock-nut Tilt Saddle
(218 -1589) (50- 250) (224- 523)
RACH Lightweight, Hollow Plunger Single-Acting, Spring Return 20- 150 1.97- 9.84 7.41- 22.45 Yes Aluminum Anodized Bolt-on Hollow Removable Saddles, Base Plate Mounting Holes  
(229 -1588) (50- 250) (188- 570)
RARH Lightweight, Hollow Plunger Double-Acting, Hydraulic Return 30– 150 1.97- 9.84 8.22- 18.27 Yes Aluminum Anodized Handle, Base Plate Mounting Holes Threaded Hollow Saddle
(359 –1489) (50– 250) (209– 464)
RAR Lightweight Double-Acting, Hydraulic Return 20- 150 1.97- 9.84 7.45- 19.61 Yes Aluminum Anodized Bolt-on Removable Saddles, Base Plate Mounting Holes, Handle Tilt Saddle
(218- 1589) (50- 250) (189- 498)
CULP Low Height Single-Acting, Load Return 10 – 100 0.24 1.08 - 2.55 No Steel Nitrocarburized    
(97 –1078) (6) (27,5– 65,0)
CUSP Low Height Single-Acting, Load Return 10-1000 0.26- 0.69 1.40- 4.06 No Steel Nitrocarburized Integrated Tilting Function  
(97 –10.165) (6,7– 17,4) (35,5– 103)
LPL Low Height,
Lock-nut		 Single-Acting, Load Return 60 – 500 1.77- 1.97 4.94- 7.56 No Steel Nitrocarburized Lock-nut, Tilt Saddle  
(606 –5114) (45– 50) (126– 192)
RSM Low Height Single-Acting, Spring Return 5 – 150 0.25- 0.63 1.28- 3.94 Yes Steel Paint Mounting Holes, Handle  
(45 –1386) (6– 16) (32– 100)
RCS Low Height Single-Acting, Spring Return 10 – 100 1.50- 2.44 3.47- 5.56 No Steel Paint - Tilt Saddle
(101 -887 (38– 62) (3.47- 5.56)
RLT Telescopic Single-Acting, Load Return 4.8- 81.7 0.67- 1.57 1.77- 4.49 Yes Steel Nitrocarburized Mounting Holes  
(43 –727) (17– 26) (45– 114)
RT Telescopic Single-Acting, Load Return 15.4- 34.8 10.63- 23.62 11.14- 18.74 No Steel Nitrocarburized Tilt Saddle, Lifting Eyes  
(137 –309) (270– 600) (283– 476)
BRC Pull Single-Acting, Spring Return 2.5- 10 5.00- 5.95 10.44- 11.88 Yes Steel Paint Base Mounting holes, Collar and Plunger Threads  
(24 –105) (127– 151) (264– 301)
BRP Pull Single-Acting, Spring Return 10 – 60 5.91- 6.06 22.56- 43.71 No Steel Paint Pulling Lugs  
(110 –506) (150– 154) (573– 1110)
RCH Hollow Single-Acting, Spring Return 12 – 100 0.31- 6.13 2.19- 13.00 Yes Steel Paint Base Mounting holes Threaded Hollow Saddle
(125 –931) (8– 155) (55– 330)
RRH Hollow Double-Acting, Hydraulic Return 30 – 150 1.50- 10.13 6.50- 18.13 Yes Steel Paint Collar Thread Threaded Hollow Saddle
(326 –1429) (38– 258) (165– 460)
RD General Purpose Double-Acting, Hydraulic Return 4 – 25 1.13- 10.25 7.31- 20.69 Yes Steel Paint Collar Thread, Base Thread, Base Mounting Holes Foot Mount, Flange Mount, Clevis Eye
(BRD) (35– 222) (28– 260) (186– 526)
RR General Purpose Double-Acting, Hydraulic Return 10 – 500 2.25- 48.00 7.19- 64.75 Yes Steel Paint Collar Thread, Plunger Thread, Base Mounting Holes, Removable Saddle  Flat, Tilt and Grooved Saddles
(101 –5108) (57– 1219) (183– 1644)
HCG High Tonnage Single-Acting, Load Return 50 – 1000 1.97- 11.81 7.20 -27.24 Yes Steel Nitrocarburized Base Mounting Holes, Collar Threads, Lifting Eyes Tilt Saddle
(550 –10.644) (50– 300) (183– 692)
HCR High Tonnage Double-Acting, Hydraulic Return 50 – 1000 1.97- 11.81 7.20 -27.24 Yes Steel Nitrocarburized Base Mounting Holes, Collar Threads, Lifting Eyes Tilt Saddle
(550 –10.644) (50– 300) (183– 692)
HCL High Tonnage,
Lock-nut		 Single-Acting, Load Return 50 – 1000 1.97- 11.81 6.46 -28.90 Yes Steel Nitrocarburized Base Mounting Holes, Lifting Eyes, Lock-nut Tilt Saddle
(550 –10.644) (50– 300) (164- 692)
HCRL High Tonnage,
Lock-nut		 Double-Acting, Hydraulic Return 50– 300 5.91- 11.81 5.91- 11.81 Yes Steel Nitrocarburized Base Mounting Holes, Collar Threads, Lifting Eyes, Tilt Saddle, Lock Nut -
(550 –3036) (50– 300) (310- 734)

Cylinder Speed Guide

Find the optimal pump for your desired cylinder speed

This Cylinder Speed Guide will help you calculate the time required for an Enerpac hydraulic cylinder to lift a load when powered by a 10,000 psi (700 bar) Enerpac hydraulic pump. The cylinder speed charts can also be used to determine the pump type and model best suited for an application when you know the plunger speed required. Most powered pumps can produce a higher flow rate therefore they are able to advance a cylinder’s plunger faster than most manual pumps..

Cylinder Speed Guide

Why Enerpac

As a leading hydraulic tool innovator for 60+ years with several first-to-market products, Enerpac solutions have lifted and moved some of the largest structures on earth. The latest advancements in quality, reliability, safety and precision is what you will find in every Enerpac lifting tool from simple bottle jacks, cylinder and hand pump sets to a wide selection of best-in-class cylinder and pump lifting systems. And when the load requires a unique lift from above or below, rely on synchronized, integrated heavy lifting technologies designed for 1,000 tons or more.

Glossary of common terms

  • Plunger: Part of the cylinder that advances from the cylinder body; also known as piston, ram, rod
  • Base: Body of the cylinder; also known as barrel, body, or housing
  • Base Mounting Holes – Threaded holes on the bottom of the cylinder, which can be used to affix a cylinder for mounting / greater stability
  • Seal: Element that holds the pressure and keeps the oil inside the cylinder
  • Side-load: Lateral forces that the cylinder has to withstand, usually caused by the nature of the movement. Wear bands help to absorb these loads
  • Stop Ring: Ring at the top of the cylinder that mechanically prevents the plunger from coming out from the base
  • Wear bands: Composite bands that internally absorb the side load on a cylinder. Also known as bearings

Cylinder model # anatomy

RC2510: RC = Cylinder type. 25 = tonnage 10=stroke