2 cylinders equal flow

[6sunset6]

I want to be able to slide the forks on my pallet fork attachment in and out side ways. Adjust for wide and narrow pallets. There are a couple of schemes around but the simplest is 2 hyd cylinders , each one pushing a fork in or out.
2" diam cylinder 18" stroke , shortest retracted length I can find 25" $140 each at the surplus guys. These are positioning cylinders, they carry no load.
I already have a diverter valve on the front for a grapple. Assume the forks will slide with out major shaft work.
The problem at hand is even flow. I need a flow divider that will split the flow even to each cylinder in both directions.
Anybody have a lead on a valve that will do this and is not gold plated.

 

[J_J]

There are flow dividers that will split the flow evenly in GPM. If the cyl has the same resistance, they will move at the same time. If one has more resistance than the other, the cyl with the least resistance will move first. The valve below will divide the main flow into equal flows, .

https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=9-1048-A&catname=hydraulic

 

[6sunset6]

The description for that valve is a little confusing.
PROPORTIONAL FLOW DIVIDER
"Brand new. Divides flow into two equal volume outputs regardless of load variations. Integral check valves allow free return flow through valve in reverse. For hydraulic circuits or motors that operate at same speed. NOTE: These are not for synchronizing hydraulic cylinders. Use a Rotary Flow Divider for that application."
Two equal vol is good , free flow return means I need two of them , one for each direction , bummer, but ok $100 each
However the note about not for synchronizing operation is confusing. I don't really need them synchronized but they sort of have to stop at the same place when I let go of the valve handle. If one cylinder sees more load, which it will, all things not being equal. I looked at the rotary flow dividers $250 and I think two of them as well, but not sure
Just looked at more info Still not clear but it is attached

 

[Soundguy]

ditto what jj said the easiest one will move first unless you have 1 da cyl moving a scisor type linkage that moves both forks via leveraged linkage so that they move together fore or aft with 1 da cyl.. etc.

soundguy

 

[KWentling]

Our forklifts ( 3 Nissans, 1 Cat, 1 Yale?) at the shop have adjustable forks like this and they have no flow dividers. They work good that way. You can stick the forks in a pallet and slide the forks out to get the maximum width without destroying one side of the pallet.

Kim

 

[J_J]

Why use two cyl, use one cyl on one fork. Just pin the one cyl and adjust the other fork to fit pallet.

 

[6sunset6]

Why use two cyl, use one cyl on one fork. Just pin the one cyl and adjust the other fork to fit pallet.

Off center load

 

[Soundguy]

1 cyl still works with pivoting scisor linkage...

soundguy

 

[6sunset6]

Our forklifts ( 3 Nissans, 1 Cat, 1 Yale?) at the shop have adjustable forks like this and they have no flow dividers. They work good that way. You can stick the forks in a pallet and slide the forks out to get the maximum width without destroying one side of the pallet.

Kim

Ahh Let think about this. If the machine is centered on the pallet and the forks are closed up, the forks slid into the pallet and then extended one goes then the other , both stop when they hit the sides of the pallet.
Pay attention and not allow 2250 psi to destroy the pallet. I think there will be a trade off between cylinder size , big enough so the rod does not buckle and small enough so the cylinder does not destroy the pallet .
I think this would be a good place to start . I found 1.5 diam cylinders, 1.75,
and 2"
This was really helpful Thanks.

 

[Soundguy]

a slide cyl could have a dern small rod.. and a flow restrictor orifice and even a very low set relief in that circuit...

soundguy