At Dalton Hydraulic, we specialize in everything related to hydraulics. Our team has been working in this industry for over 20 years, and you can count on us to help you find the hydraulic cylinders and other equipment you need to keep your operation running smoothly.
In this article, we want to focus on the essential parts required for hydraulic cylinders to function properly. Understanding these components will give you a better understanding of how cylinders operate and how you can keep yours in great condition.
- Cylinder Barrel – The main body of a hydraulic cylinder is the barrel, which houses the piston and the other mechanical components. This is where most of the mechanical action takes place, so hydraulic cylinder barrels are built to be incredibly resilient. The inside of the barrel typically has a bore to let the piston move more smoothly and easily along its length, and many have interior coatings to help protect them from corrosion.
- Piston and Piston Rod – Pistons are located Inside the barrels of hydraulic cylinders and attached to piston rods. The piston rod applies force to the piston, causing it to move back and forth within the barrel. This movement generates pressure, which drives the hydraulic fluid and powers the mechanical component attached to the other end of the cylinder.
- Seals – A third key component of hydraulic cylinders is the seals, which keep the hydraulic fluid inside the barrel. They need to be tough enough to withstand the mechanical action of the piston and piston rod without tearing, or else the fluid will leak out and render the mechanism useless.