Hydraulic Cylinder Help

[Su7]

Please forgive my lack of hydraulic cylinder knowledge but what kind of cylinder is this? Is it a single acting cylinder? The Eurobeton T400 3PH cement mixer came as part of an equipment deal with my tractor and I was wondering if this cylinder will work as part of a TnT or maybe even a grapple? Do I need a dual acting cylinder for either of those items mentioned? In what application will this cylinder work other than the cement mixer? Can it be converted to a dual acting model?

Thanks for all your help.

 

[jinman]

The short answer is no. I would not even consider using that cylinder for TnT, a grapple, or any other application except the cement mixer. It almost looks like it is a double acting cylinder rigged to work as single acting against an air pressure precharge. Does the cylinder have more than one hose? A dual acting cylinder has to have both an extend and a retract hose. When extending, the retract hose is the return to the reservoir. When retracting, the opposite applies. The hose in your photo is attached to the retract side of the cylinder; however, the ram is extended. That's what makes me think it is using a gas filled precharge at the other end because I do not recognize that as a normal hydraulic fitting.

That's my $0.02 worth...

 

[Su7]

Jinman,

Your right on the money as usual and a very keen eye indeed since the fittings on this cylinder are NOT normal hydraulic connections. I guess the Eurobeton should have given it away but I'm getting ahead of myself. When I operated the cylinder by hand I found that the non-hose conneted end is just a screen vented cap that air rushes in and out of when cycling thus identifying it as a dual acting cylinder.

I took the cylinder to my NH dealer yesterday, while picking up my bucket and QA bracket, to see if I could get an additional hose for the other port. The service department took off that fitting and tried to match it up with there inventory and nothing fit. Come to find out it's a european type fitting and they didn't stock any. If I wanted a hose for this cylinder I would have to go elsewhere which they recommened Keystone Fluid Power in Hazelton, PA if anybody is interested. They were in agreement with your previous statement and said that although the cylinder may work as a component in a TnT it did not look stout enough to hold up to any type of heavy punishment and I should look into a 2x8 cylinder or simialr. Needless to say I guess I'll keep this cylinder partnered with the cement mixer and get a proper TnT setup when the need arises.

Thx again,

Stan...

 

[Soundguy]

If it was a vent.. then it is most likely a SA cyl.. Opening it up to check the packing seals would be the real call though.

Soundguy

 

[Birdman253]

It looks to me like a double acting cylinder, set up to work as single acting by using a vent. Any double acting cylinder can be set up to work single acting by venting the piston on the "away" side from the oil.