Click on the question to view resources to help you answer.
What push or pull tonnage is required per cylinder in your application?
Most repairs that Titanply sees are caused by operators attempting to lift at or above the maximum tonnage the cylinder is rated for.
What is the push or pull stroke length required?
Cylinders stroke length range from 1/4" to over 48" depending on what the cylinder is designed to do. Most users order a length just above what they need (if they need to lift 8" they use a 10" stroke cylinder instead of a 8" stroke cylinder)
Do I need a single-acting or double-acting cylinder??
Single-acting (S/A) cylinders extend the piston under hydraulic pressure; double-acting (D/A) cylinders extend and retract the piston under pressure.
Is the application stationary, or must the components be lightweight for easy portability?
If the cylinder needs to be stationary, consider getting a mounting plate if your cylinder has one.
If the cylinder needs to be lightweight, consider getting a aluminum cylinder
What is the difference between aluminum and steel cylinders?
Aluminum cylinder, while offering the most lightweight solution for many lifting, stressing and lowering applications, also have some unique limitations due to material properties.
Aluminum differs from steel in that it has a lower finite fatigue life. This means aluminum cylinders should NOT be used in high-cylce applications such as production.
Aluminum cylinders are designed to provide 5,000 cycles at their recommended pressure. This limit should not be exceeded. In normal lifting and many maintenance applications, this should provide a lifetime of use.
Do you need to extend a rod or cable through the center of the cylinder for the application, as in a tensioning operation?
Manufacturers have specific cylinders for this application:
BVA Series: HC
Enerpac Series: RACH, RCH, RRH
Power Team Series: RH
Simplex Series: RAC, RACD, RC, RCD
Click on "Hollow Plunger" category above to view these cylinders.
Does the application require that the cylinder fit within limited-clearance work areas?
Make sure your selected cylinder will be able to fit where you need it to! See the "Low Height (pancake)" category above for cylinders with the smallest retracted height.
Will the cylinder need to withstand off-center loads?
Off-center loads are the most dangerous and cause the most injuries. Swivel caps (not available on all cylinders) help prevent accidents from occuring. Use swivel caps with a base plate or mounting block for maximum protection.
Does the application require that the lifted load be supported for extended periods of time?
Most cylinders don't have fail safe devices incase hydraulic pressure rapidly decreases (i.e. hose burst). Locking collars (also called locknuts) offer locking devices on the cylinder without hydraulic pressure needed.
Manufacturers have specific cylinders for this application:
BVA Series: HLN
Enerpac Series: RACL, CLL
Power Team Series: RL (aluminum & steel available)
Simplex Series: CLP, RAL
Click on "Locking Collars" category above to view these cylinders.
Cribbing blocks also offer an inexpensive way and safe way to remove the cylinder from the application.
To view cribbing products, go to Products -> Tools -> Cribbing Blocks.
Is corrosion resistance required?
Use steel cylinders instead of aluminum cylinders. Most cylinders can be refitted to have viton seals instead of regular seals to provide heat and chemical resistence (additional charges apply).
Will the application involve high cycles (over 2,500 in the cylinders lifetime)?
Aluminum cylinders can work up to 5,000 cycles. Steel cylinders can (hypothetically) work a lifetime. It all depends on the environment the cylinder is in and how the cylinder was treated. All cylinders can be repaired, and usually last a lifetime (Titanply has repaired cylinders over 30 years old).
