How big of cylinder do I need?

[MtnViewRanch]

With the rake square to the boom I marked a point on the 3pt frame and on the rake frame and swung the rake to 45º left and right.
I need 27" short and 36" long. So a 9-10 inch stroke would do.

A few pictures of your rake would really help. There are various designs for this stuff. It sounds like you have a short boom if you are looking at using the 3pt hitch mount as a base mount for the rake angle cylinder mount.


A std clevis end welded cylinder with a 10" stroke is 20 1/4"- 30 1/4"

A 12" unit would be 22 1/4"- 34 1/4".

 

[scootr]

Sounds good - I'll post pics in the AM. Thank you

 

[LD1]

Any pics yet Or decided on what cylinder to use?

 

[scootr]

I can get some before pics today and post em later. Thank you

I was looking at these cylinder. I need 9 inches minimum of stroke ideally 27 x 36 overall.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/chief-3-in-bore-x-18-in-stroke-125-in-rod-dia-chief-at-alternative-to-tie-rod-cylinder-1307942

https://www.amazon.com/Hydraulic-Cylinder-Welded-Double-3-5x12/dp/B00SA2OYCK/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=1112EYPE6R6OR&keywords=hydraulic%2Bcylinder%2Bdouble%2Baction%2B12%22%2Bstroke&qid=1666275138&sprefix=hydraulic%2Bcylinder%2Bdouble%2Baction%2B12%2Bstroke%2Caps%2C225&sr=8-2-spons&th=1

 

[scootr]

Sorry for the delay. A snow plow application sounds similar. FYI I tried the rake on the gravel road and I liked it vs the box blade. So I will pursue this mod.
Nvrmnd the wheels pictured. I'm in the process of putting on some larger adjustable gauge wheels. The BH rake is 84 inches

 

[davedj1]

The closer to center you mount the cylinder on the rake the shorter the stroke can be. Can you find a pair of single acting cylinders from an old snow plow and mount one on each side and operate them like one DA cylinder.

 

[scootr]

I finally pulled the trigger on a double action 3" x 1.5" rod cylinder with a 12" stroke and 1" pins

Product Details​

The Chief 3 in. Bore x 12 in. Stroke WC Welded Cylinder is a high-quality welded hydraulic cylinder with a strong forged steel base. Made for when space is limited, this hydraulic cylinder model has a screw-in gland that reduces the cylinder profile by replacing the collar style gland. It will provide added strength to agricultural implements, compact construction and transportation equipment, as well as waste/recycling applications, and the base end clevis extends out 2 in. to ensure greater swing radius and maximum flexibility.

• Intended use: double-acting applications
• Piston: ductile iron
• Gland: ductile iron
• Tube: precision-honed steel
• Rod: hard chrome-plated
• End mounts: ductile iron female clevises with pins and clips included
• Tube seals: Buna O-ring
• Rod seal: deep polypak with B-lip design
• Rod wiper: urethane, snap-in
• Piston seal: Hallite 755 for prolonged wear resistance with wear ring
• All seals: manufactured to US specifications
• Functionally tested and pressurized to 1.5 times the normal working pressure to ensure performance reliability
• Welded hydraulic cylinder with SAE O-ring ports that allow for easy hookup
• Has a 3,000 PSI operating range
• 3-year limited warranty
• Measures 20.25 in. retracted and 30.25 in. extended
• Individually poly bagged hydraulic cylinder is easy to transport
• Column load: 21,200 lb.
• Pin diameter of 1in. and rod diameter of 1.5 in.

 

[scootr]

This thing arrived and all I can say is this cylinder is huge! 3" looks like 2 times overkill. 1/2 lines? Can I run 3/8ths lines There really is no load turning the rake on it's pivot.
What do you all think. Will 3/8ths lines about 4ft long from the quick attach be okay?

 

[rswyan]

The smaller the lines, the slower the cylinder will respond.

IIRC, I used 1/4” lines on mine but the cylinder bore was smaller (maybe 2” ?) than the one you’re using.

Mine was plenty fast enough.

 

[scootr]

Thanks for your reply. Right now I'm thinking 3/8 lines