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Learn some of the most basic terms related to hydraulic pistons and cylinders

Hydraulics in this context is simply the use of fluids in the mechanics of carrying out certain kinds of tasks. Common tasks include the lifting of heavy materials or equipment or in the operation of industrial presses. The hydraulic cylinder is one of the main components, a tube filled with pressurized liquid used to operate a piston and armature. There are various parts in the associated hydraulic system, including several types of pumps as well as accumulators, reservoirs and motors.

I recommend: Get the official definitions for "hydraulic" from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, which can also take you to further resources related to hydraulic cylinders. Then, see the information available at ACS Hydraulics, which provides a list of hydraulic system terms you can use to start building your vocabulary.

Learn about the different types of hydraulic cylinders for sale for your industry

When it comes to the cylinders, they fall into one of several categories. Two of the primary ones are single-action and double-action. The difference comes from whether the cylinder operates only in one direction (or one stroke) or both (working in the up- as well as down-stroke). There are also rephasing cylinders, which coordinate the operation of more than one cylinder, and depth control cylinders, which limit movement to a predefined threshold.

I recommend: Check out Control Engineering, where you can find a wealth of information about the anatomy of hydraulic pistons and cylinders, including the different types. Find further data on that subject at Precision Fluid Power, which has definitions of the cylinder types as well as other devices and terms.

Simplify hydraulic cylinder repair by learning the terms for various components

Whether you want to buy hydraulic cylinder parts for repair or replacement or just want a clearer comprehension of them, keep a few terms in mind. These terms include the gland, which acts as the seal to prevent fluid leakage; piston and piston rod, which provide the resistance to the fluid and thereby operate the tool attached to the cylinder; and base plate, or cap, which is often welded to one end of the cylinder as a solid seal.

I recommend: Hydraulic cylinder manufacturers and software developers often have glossaries of hydraulic system terms; check out BarDyne for a comprehensive list of industry-related terms, or look at the hydraulic cylinder parts available from Bailey for an idea of the various components that make up a working cylinder.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Thoroughly research the resources in this guide before checking into hydraulic cylinder prices, models and availability. That way, you'll have a solid base of knowledge, which will enable you to more quickly and efficiently pinpoint what you need.

Guide to Hydraulic Cylinders

Find quality hydraulic cylinders for sale from online hydraulic cylinder manufacturers

By Christine Margiotta

1. Find hydraulic cylinder manufacturers that offer a wide range of hydraulic cylinder types for varying types of equipment.
2. Get quality hydraulic cylinder parts to have on hand in case an emergency crops up.
3. Locate a quality provider of hydraulic cylinder repair tools.
   

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The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find quality hydraulic cylinder manufacturers and distributors

You can browse and order quality hydraulic cylinders from reputable manufacturers online. Hydraulic cylinder prices are competitive among these online hydraulic cylinder distributors.

I recommend: Prince Manufacturing Corporation offers a nation-wide list of distributors on an interactive map, while American Cylinder Co. offers a straight distributor list. Clippard Minimatic also allows you to search for distributors and hydraulic cylinders for sale based on your zip code.

Get good hydraulic cylinder parts

Buy control valves, pumps, hydraulic pistons, crushers and more so you can keep spare parts on hand.

I recommend: Advanced Fluid Power Inc. features numerous categories of parts and numbers for the manufacturers that sell them. Baileynet.com lists parts by category and also includes hydraulic cylinder prices.

Find quality hydraulic cylinder repair tools

Hydraulic cylinder repair can be rather involved, but luckily there are companies that specialize in selling specialized hydraulic cylinder repair tools.

I recommend: American Power sells hydraulic cylinder repair tools, and also has technicians that can help you if things go awry. Get hydraulic cylinder repair kits from Hydraulic O-ring & Oil Seal Supplier.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Bent rods are probably the most common repair item for hydraulic cylinders. To make sure your hydraulic cylinder rods are straight, use a dial gauge to measure the run-out when you place the cylinder on rollers. Though the goal is to get it perfectly straight, a run-out of .5 milliliters is still okay.
• •  A cheap hydraulic cylinder doesn't necessarily mean it's low quality. The industry is very competitive, as hydraulic cylinders are found in virtually any complex piece of machinery. And selling online is also a money-saver for companies, which works out good in the end for you as well.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Begin with a basic understanding of hydraulic pistons and cylinders

Put simply, a hydraulic cylinder is a tool that allows a small amount of force to be converted into a large one through the use of fluids. The cylinder is filled with liquid - usually an oil - and pressure is exerted, forcing the liquid to press with a much larger force against another component. Hydraulic cylinders allow the lifting of heavy loads and the operating of machinery that would otherwise require significantly more power.

I recommend: Fill in some more details about hydraulic cylinders basics at the National Fluid Power Association, where you can get an explanation and check on resources for products and training opportunities. Then, see a quick and cheap hydraulic cylinder animation and get information regarding the physics and math behind hydraulics from RB Engineering.

Discover how hydraulic cylinders function

A cylinder consists of several parts: the barrel, which is just a hollow tube, and a piston, cap, piston rod and rod gland. The barrel is filled with fluid and sealed except for an opening for the piston and one for the fluid. The piston fits into the barrel and the rod gland provides a seal for the piston. Since compression of the fluid inside cannot occur, putting pressure on it forces the piston to move; depending on the size and ratio of the parts, a nominal pressure on the fluid can result in considerable force of the piston.

I recommend: Augment your knowledge of hydraulic pistons and cylinder systems at HowStuffWorks.com and the Wise Geek. Both give more detailed descriptions of how hydraulics work, as well as related information regarding simple examples of usage, safety, construction and several applications, which will be covered further in the following step.

Learn about the applications for hydraulic cylinders for sale in your market

Most applications of hydraulic cylinders are for heavy machinery, including construction and mining vehicles as well as various kinds of utility trucks. They are also indispensable in many manufacturing and processing systems, allowing a more efficient operation, and in mechanisms like industrial presses, elevators and docking lifts.

I recommend: Best Metal Products and Hydraulic Equipment and Tools Marketplace are good places to get ideas for the uses cylinders have in various industries. These hydraulic cylinder manufacturers both list several examples of where their products are used, and if you're looking for supplies, they have hydraulic cylinders for sale that you can start pricing.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It's not a bad idea to learn some basics about hydraulic cylinder repair tools as well. If your industry involves cylinders, then repair and routine maintenance are sure to be a consideration. Cut hydraulic cylinder prices for repair jobs by doing it yourself.