Misalignment is a leading cause of hydraulic cylinder failure. Hydraulic cylinders are linear actuators, designed to exert force in one direction. When the centerline of the workload is deviated, lateral stress is applied to the cylinder’s pistons, seals, bushes, and rods. These components are not built to endure such forces, resulting in rapid failure.
To avoid this, selecting the correct mounting option is crucial. Proper mounting helps the cylinder function as intended while minimizing misalignment. Various mounting types are available, each suited for different ranges of motion or forces encountered in specific applications.
Choosing the wrong mount increases wear and can cause the cylinder to fail prematurely. The right mounting option, however, prevents side loads that can cause excessive wear on seals and bearings, bend the rod, or bind the load. Below are the different mounting options available for hydraulic cylinders.
HYDRAULIC CYLINDER MOUNTING OPTIONS
Flange Mounts
Flange mounts are fixed to the cylinder head itself. Essentially, a flat plate allows the cylinder rod to pass through and be secured. With no joints or bearings, the mount is fixed in the cylinder’s centerline, providing strength and rigidity. This mounting option ensures efficient power transmission with minimal energy loss. However, flange mounts are highly intolerant to misalignment, making them ideal for stationary cylinders that require rigid linear force transfer with minimal wear.
Clevis Mounts
Automotive Lift Repair Orlando Clevis mounts are pivot mounts that allow the cylinder to move within a single range of motion. Often used in mobile equipment like excavators, this type of mount lets the cylinder pivot during extension and retraction. A steel pin, held in place by cotter pins or snap rings, forms the pivot joint. Clevis mounts are commonly used for short stroke, small- to medium-bore cylinders. While they offer centerline mounting, they are vulnerable to side loads, so spherical bearings are often used to allow for some misalignment and enhance cylinder longevity.
Trunnion Mounts
Trunnion mounts feature cylindrical protrusions, or pins, that form a pivot point for the cylinder. These mounts, named after the French word “Trognon” meaning “Trunk,” are often found on older artillery and allow for pivoting movement. Trunnion mounts can be positioned at the head, cap, or middle of the Automotive Lift Repair Orlando cylinder, enabling it to move smoothly through an arc during extension and retraction. They offer greater strength and stability than clevis mounts, resulting in less play and more controlled movement.
Lug Mounts
Lug mounts are fixed mounts that use rectangular tabs, either machined or welded to the cylinder’s head and cap. This rigid mounting option offers strength but is highly intolerant of misalignment. Side-lug mounts, in particular, create a torque effect due to the offset plane of movement. This effect can cause binding during retraction, so machines using side-lug mounts often reinforce mounting points to minimize bending under heavy loads.
Reduce Cylinder Failure by Choosing the Right Mounting Option
Misalignment and lateral loading are the main causes of premature cylinder failure. However, choosing the correct mounting option and ensuring proper alignment can significantly reduce these issues, preventing side loads that wear out bearings and seals.
A hydraulic cylinder is mounted by securing it to two points on the machine where it generates linear force. The rod end of the cylinder is connected to the part of the machine that will receive the force—essentially, the component you want to move or push. The other mounting point is located on the cylinder itself, typically at the head or cap. When discussing the “mount” of a hydraulic cylinder, we’re referring to the section at the head or cap that is attached to the machine.
Automotive Lift Repair Orlando Hydraulic cylinders can be mounted in either a fixed or pivoting orientation. A fixed mount, like a flange mount, is best suited for applications where the load moves along the cylinder’s centerline, with no misalignment or movement in an arc. An example of this would be a hydraulic press, where a full cap flange supports the cylinder under compression along its centerline—this is the ideal setup. Fixed mounts are permanently bolted to the machine and are only removed for repair or replacement.
For applications requiring movement through an arc, such as the boom of an excavator, pivoting mounts are used. These mounts allow the Automotive Lift Repair Orlando cylinder to pivot both from the rod end and the cylinder itself. Most pivoting mounts pivot from the cap end to maximize the range of motion, as seen in fixed clevis or cap trunnion mounts. These mounts are typically secured with pins (for clevis or eye mounts) or bearings (for trunnion mounts).
Regardless of the Automotive Lift Repair Orlando mounting style, the rod side of the cylinder must also be attached to the machine. In some cases, the rod attachment is welded on, like a cross tube, but most rod attachments are threaded. The rod has either a male or female thread, and accessories like a clevis, rod eye, or rod swivel are screwed onto it. These detachable accessories provide easy serviceability for the cylinder and allow for simple replacement when the accessory becomes worn.
Automotive Lift Repair Orlando Hydraulic cylinders are a crucial part of the hydraulic industry, used in nearly all applications to convert hydraulic fluid energy into mechanical work. Having a good understanding of hydraulic cylinders can be highly beneficial. This article covers key information, including the types, applications, and specifications of hydraulic cylinders.
A hydraulic cylinder is a linear actuator that generates mechanical force in a straight line, either by pushing or pulling. Its basic components include a tube, piston and rod, two end caps, and suitable oil seals. The tube has a finely finished interior, and piston rods are often hard chrome-plated to resist pitting and scoring. End caps are equipped with seals and wipers to prevent contaminants and leakage.
Hydraulic cylinders are commonly found in mobile equipment like excavators, dump trucks, loaders, graders, backhoes, and dozers. They are also used in heavy machinery, gym equipment, boats, wheelchair lifts, and more. For example, Automotive Lift Repair Orlando hydraulic cylinders help balance the load on a wheelchair lift and extend the functionality of heavy equipment in construction and industrial settings.
There are various types of hydraulic cylinders available on the market, with differences in design based on their application and industry.