Hydraulic cylinder strength

SVcummins

Well-known Member
Which Is the strongest? The round type or the welded tie rod type ?
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My guess would be cylinder with the identical length stroke that the cyl with the ""largest diameter rod"" is stronger if rods were made of equal strength material
 
Either cylinder is good. Hydraulic cylinders: Pressure test at 1,5 times rated pressure (ISO 10100) Yield strength 2 times calculated stress (ASME B30.1) Hydraulic hose and fittings should have a 4:1 burst ratio.
 
you answered your own question of Course a welded one is stronger how many tie rod cylinders do you see used in Construction equipment these days or even on a factory made AG machine?
 
Welded ones are cheaper to make due to fewer parts and are more compact so they are easier to design into equipment. THAT is why you see them as OEM on equipment.

Tie rod cylinders are easier for the home mechanic to service because they can be disassembled with common hand tools. Welded cylinders require a special wrench to get the gland end unscrewed, and often an excessive amount of force.
 
Are you asking about strongest, as in ability to apply power?
That is determined by the bore, calculated by PSI x area. Extend force is greater than retract on a single ended cylinder, just deduct the area of the rod to get retract force. Same applies to all cylinders regardless of design.

Strongest as far as abuse, buckling, grit resistance?
Typically the welded cylinder will tolerate more real world abuse. It is physically stronger due to the nature of it's construction. But, there are many considerations, such as end travel cushions to prevent slamming, stroke limiters to prevent buckling, extra duty scraper seal to keep grit out. But the most effective factor for either type is application design. Getting the proper geometry, pressure rating, force needed, mounting, and protection from damage.

Advantages vs. disadvantages.
The welded is more compact, more economical, forgiving of abuse. It is more difficult to service, most are replaced instead of repaired. There are some welded cylinders that are somewhat repairable, the ones with threaded end caps, some held together with snap rings, etc. But, comes with a price, another area to fail.

The tie rod cylinders are more expensive, more bulky, prone to loosen up under severe use. They are easier and more practical to repair.
 
Most cylinders used in real high pressure applications are welded. Some portable equipment such as excavators, log loaders are as high as 5,000 psi I believe. In the paper mill most all cylinders were Parker tie-rod, those systems were all less than 1,000 psi as I recall. I bought one from Northern Tool, looks like your add, for my wood splitter, works well. Cylinder is rated for 3,000, tractor puts out 2,500.
 
I believe the welded is cheaper for them to make and is not going to be repairable so it will be replace with something that costs them the same to make as the repair kit but sells for a way bigger price so more profit. I myself had welded as well as tie rod and prefer the tie rod. I know the power steering cylinder on Ford was not repairable and leaked heavy all the time and would have cost half the price of the tractor even if it was avaible. Just profit for maker with welded type.
 

IMHO, for everyday hard farm use, the weak areas of a cylinder are the rod (bigger is better) and not having a long threaded area next to the clevis, an area to eventually fatigue and break.

For farm use, in my experience, welded or tie bolt style makes no difference.

One feature that makes a cylinder TOUGH and long-lasting for heavy use is to have a teflon (or similar) wear ring on the piston next to the seal ring(s) to keep it centered in the bore, and avoid metal-to-metal contact and scuffing or scoring of the bore that destroys seals.

Some cylinders are made with a similar wear ring next to the "gland seal", as well, that keeps the rod out of contact with the gland.
 
Some welded cylinders are made so they cannot be taken apart to replace seals, only replace entire cylinder. The 3 cylinder Ford 4000 os made like that and the control is a part of the cylinder. 15-20 years ago we just had to let them leak as nothing could be done with them.
 

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