When to Consider a Telescopic Hydraulic Cylinder

Deciding on the best hydraulic cylinder for your equipment can be daunting. You want to make sure that your purchase will work with your equipment and help you achieve your desired outcome. The first step is to understand which type of hydraulic cylinder you require: welded rod, integrated valve, telescopic, or another cylinder design.

Telescopic cylinders provide an extended reach while maintaining a compact retracted form. Sometimes called telescoping cylinders or multi-stage cylinders, telescopic cylinders are ideal for heavy-duty equipment with space restrictions. Three basic designs for telescopic cylinders are available: single-acting, double-acting, and combination single and double-acting.

Common Uses for Telescopic Cylinders

Telescopic hydraulic cylinders are suited to applications where force space is limited and a traditional welded rod cylinder will not fit. They are used in platform lifts, dump hoists, dump lifts, and pack/eject functions. If your application needs a linear force applied over a long distance, telescopic hydraulic cylinders are an excellent choice for many different types of equipment:

• Dump trucks
• Garbage trucks
• Transfer trailers
• Construction equipment
• Agricultural equipment
• Industrial mobile vehicles.

Types of Telescopic Hydraulic Cylinders

Single-acting, double-acting, and combination telescopic cylinders are available to meet your equipment’s specifications. While each type of telescopic cylinder shares many advantages and usages, it is essential to understand the differences between each configuration.

Single-Acting Telescopic Cylinders

Single-acting telescopic cylinders feature a straightforward design that uses hydraulic pressure to extend and gravity or other external force to retract. They tend to have a larger outer diameter than rod cylinders and deliver reliable, long-lasting performance. They are often applied in dump trucks, platform truck/trailers, and similar equipment.

Double-Acting Telescopic Cylinders

Double-acting telescopic cylinders use hydraulic pressure to extend and retract. They are ideal for applications where gravity cannot assist in moving loads due to horizontally mounted cylinders or other factors. Double-acting cylinders are often used in non-critical positioning applications, refuse vehicles, and transfer trailers.

Combination Telescopic Hydraulic Cylinders

As implied by their name, combination telescopic cylinders feature plunger rods that can be single or double-acting, utilizing hydraulic pressure for a portion of the stroke and retracting through gravity or other external force. These multi-stage telescopic cylinders are often found in large mobile drilling rigs and other heavy-duty applications.