Hydraulic cylinders are used in many types of machinery and equipment today. Because hydraulic cylinders are used in so many applications, there are several different types you can choose from depending on the needs of your equipment and specific application.
Here are some of the most common types of hydraulic cylinders used in equipment today:
- Single-acting hydraulic cylinders — These hydraulic cylinders only exert force in one direction. These cylinders usually extend or retract the piston rod using hydraulic pressure. They rely on an external force, like a spring or gravity, to return the piston to its initial position once the release of hydraulic pressure occurs.
- Double-acting hydraulic cylinders — Compared to single-acting hydraulic cylinders, double-acting hydraulic cylinders exert force in two directions. When in use, hydraulic fluid is supplied alternately to both sides of the piston to achieve two-sided motion.
- Telescopic hydraulic cylinders — These hydraulic cylinders consist of multiple nested stages that extend when in use like a telescope. Telescopic hydraulic cylinders are often used when a long stroke length is needed in a smaller space. You can often find these cylinders in dump trucks, cranes, and other mobile equipment.
- Differential hydraulic cylinders — Differential hydraulic cylinders have two pistons of different sizes connected by one rod. When pressure is applied to each piston, they can achieve different levels of force and speed, depending on how much space there is between the two pistons.