One of the first considerations when choosing any type of hydraulic cylinder is to determine if a welded or a tie rod cylinder is the best option. While they do perform the same task, there are some important differences with welded hydraulic cylinders that make them the best option for many different applications.
The Design
All welded hydraulic cylinders have a sleek barrel and two end caps that are welded in place. The tie rod design of hydraulic cylinder has a collar on each end cap through which a number of tie rods are run and tightened into place.
Depending on the bore of the cylinder, there may be four tie rods or as many as twenty. Each of the tie rods is tightened at either end by a nut, holding the caps in place on the barrel.
Size and Weight Considerations
An obvious benefit of welded hydraulic cylinders is the streamlined exterior of the barrel. Without the extended collars and tie rods, these cylinders can be mounted in much less space than the alternative.
Additionally, the weight of the overall cylinder is less with the welded design. This is also important for any type of equipment where additional weight is not desirable. The lower weight and smaller overall size don’t impact the performance of the cylinder, which is also essential to consider.
Maintenance and Repairs
With the design of welded hydraulic cylinders, there is also the added advantage of the easy removal of the piston rod and assembly as well access to the rod seals. This is very different than with the tie rod design.
The choice of welded or tie rod cylinders becomes particularly important with custom-made cylinders. Generally, the welded design lends itself to customization and provides a cylinder that will have a very long-life cycle even in extreme use conditions.
