Finding Reliable Hydraulic Cylinders for Farm Equipment: Advice from Industry Experts

Hydraulic cylinders for farm equipment have to be reliable, as these parts play vital roles in key farming operations across the country every day. Heavy machinery such as tractors, harvesters, and excavators all utilize hydraulic cylinders to perform their operations.

These cylinders are only as reliable as the manufacturer who designed, produced, and shipped them out. While there are hundreds of options available in the market place, how do you know which is best for you?

Aurelius Manufacturing offers critical advice when it comes to finding reliable hydraulic cylinders for farm equipment.

Explore Hydraulic Cylinder Design Options

Hydraulic cylinders for farm equipment have various options that work best for certain applications. Explore these common types to best understand which one might best suit your needs.

• Double Acting
  • Double-acting hydraulic cylinders feature a sealed piston and are designed to receive hydraulic pressure to power the extension and retraction of the cylinder.
    Example: A tractor’s front-end loader lift arms – where hydraulic power is needed both to raise and lower the bucket.
• Displacement
  • Displacement hydraulic cylinders are single acting cylinders but do not feature a sealed piston. Instead, cylinder extension is accomplished by applying hydraulic pressure which displaces the rod from the cylinder barrel.
  • Example: A hydraulic lift gate on a grain cart, where oil pressure simply displaces the rod outward without needing a sealed piston.
• Rephasing
  • Rephasing hydraulic cylinders are designed to keep two or more cylinders synchronized as they work together. Rephasing can be enabled at full extension, full retraction, or both. 
  • Example: The wing fold cylinders on a large cultivator or planter, which must stay synchronized so both wings fold and unfold evenly.
• Double Rod
  • Double rod hydraulic cylinders feature a piston between two rods. Each rod extends through a sealed gland. Double rod cylinders have the same working area on each side of the piston and are often used in steering or shuttle applications.
  • Example: The steering cylinder on articulated 4WD tractors, where equal force is needed in both directions to steer left and right.
• Rod-Fed
  • Rod-fed hydraulic cylinders are designed with hydraulic ports located in the cylinder rod or rod-end mount. Rod-fed cylinders can be single or double-acting and can incorporate custom porting and integrated cartridge valves.
  • Example: A bale wrapper or bale squeeze, where compact porting in the rod-end helps reduce hose clutter and integrate valve control.
• Spring Extend and Retract
  • Spring extend or spring retract hydraulic cylinders use hydraulic pressure to extend or retract the cylinder. When hydraulic pressure is released, a spring returns the cylinder to its home position.
  • Example: A small hydraulic latch or transport lock on an implement, where a spring automatically returns the cylinder once pressure is released.
• Telescopic
  • Telescopic hydraulic cylinders are designed with multiple stages, which results in a long extension length with a short closed length. 
  • Example: The dump bed on a grain trailer or silage wagon, where a long stroke is needed to fully lift the bed but storage space is limited.

Detail Hydraulic Cylinder Specifications

Picking out the design or type of hydraulic cylinder for farm equipment is critical, which leads us to the next consideration: specifications.

This includes factors such as bore sizes, rod diameters, stroke lengths, operating pressures, and material types. Aurelius Manufacturing has multiple variations for all of these key components of hydraulic cylinder builds.

How to Find a Reliable Manufacturer

Finding the right manufacturer for hydraulic cylinders is arguably the most important step. Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for hydraulic cylinders for farm equipment:

• Rich History
  • A manufacturer with a rich history showcases experience and the ability to handle numerous economic shifts that have lasting impacts on not only its own operations but the industry as a whole.
• Custom Options
  • Sometimes a stock build can get the job done. But what if you need more? The right manufacturer will have the capabilities, experience, and resources to produce a custom option that works best for your specific needs.
• High Quality
  • There needs to be a constant push for quality in every phase of the production process, from design to delivery and everything in between. This should  include quality control measures, product testing, and excellent customer service.

Trust Aurelius Manufacturing As Your Reliable Hydraulic Cylinder Company

Aurelius Manufacturing is an industry leader when it comes to designing, developing, and creating reliable hydraulic cylinders. Numerous companies in the agriculture industry rely on our hydraulic cylinders for farm equipment.

With numerous design options in our Braham, Minnesota, headquarters, our team has the experience and capabilities to deliver a solution that best serves your needs.
Ready to find your next batch of hydraulic cylinders for farm equipment? Contact us today and see the difference we can make for you.