Is a welded cylinder much better than a tie rod cylinder?

Fallon · Dec 31, 2016

Researching cylinders for a hydraulic SSQA project. Other than the welded cylinders being less bulky, are they generally better than tie rod cylinders?

LD1 · Dec 31, 2016

Never really gave it much thought. I like welded because they are a cleaner cylinder. Just a nice smooth tube. No bulky square ends and tie rods that catch/hold all kinds of dirt and debris.

They also dont have to worry about cap seals

RickB · Dec 31, 2016

A leak on a tie rod style cylinder will almost always lead back to a seal or o-ring failure.
A leak on a welded cylinder will be a leaking rod seal, or a failed weld on the base end.
I've seen plenty of failed welds on all types of welded cylinders.
properly selected and with proper application design parameters, either will work well.
Flip a coin, buy on price, whatever. Neither style has a clear advantage in my book.

b7610hsd · Dec 31, 2016

From what I have read, Most Tie Rod Cylinders are limited to 2,500 PSI.

Billrog · Dec 31, 2016

2,500# continuous flow but a 4" bore has 31,400 lb. force.

RickB · Dec 31, 2016

b7610hsd said:
From what I have read, Most Tie Rod Cylinders are limited to 2,500 PSI.

You need to read more. There are plenty of tie rod cylinders out there rated for 3500psi and up.

oldnslo · Dec 31, 2016

Tie rod cylinders are more likely to meet NFPA specs and certification. This is usually more important for industrial use for replacement. Typically a welded cylinder will be smaller & lighter for the same bore size so the are far more common on mobile equipment.

b7610hsd · Jan 1, 2017

Have not seen any Excavators with Tie Rod Cylinders on Them ?

Fallon · Jan 1, 2017

Thanks for the info. Still leaning towards welded, but might go tie rod if I find one for the right price.

Need at least 2,500lbs rated cylinders as that what my tractor is & I don't want to double or triple the cost of the project getting an extra relief valve. Going with the smallest cylinder I can get as a 100lbs rated linear actuator did the same job on my old tractor. 1" or 1.5" tops.

jenkinsph · Jan 1, 2017

Fallon said:
Thanks for the info. Still leaning towards welded, but might go tie rod if I find one for the right price.

Need at least 2,500lbs rated cylinders as that what my tractor is & I don't want to double or triple the cost of the project getting an extra relief valve. Going with the smallest cylinder I can get as a 100lbs rated linear actuator did the same job on my old tractor. 1" or 1.5" tops.

Just make sure the stroke length is correct so you don't bend something up.