Single-Acting Hydraulic Cylinders — Custom, 100% Pressure Tested
Single-acting hydraulic cylinders manufactured to your drawing for dump trailers, agricultural equipment and lifting applications. Every cylinder is 100% pressure tested before it ships.
A single-acting cylinder extends under hydraulic pressure and returns by gravity, load, or an external spring. It’s the simplest and most cost-effective cylinder type — which makes it the workhorse of dump trailers, tipping bodies, presses and lifting equipment. The catch: because there’s only one working chamber, sealing and bore finish matter more than on a double-acting unit.
Where Single-Acting Cylinders Are Used
- Dump trailers and tipping bodies
- Agricultural implements (balers, seeders, gates)
- Lifting and jacking equipment
- Presses and simple push/pull mechanisms
Key Design Considerations
| Spec | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Bore & stroke | Working pressure and load determine the bore |
| Mounting | Clevis, trunnion, flange or foot — matched to your machine |
| Port | BSPP, NPT or metric thread |
| Rod finish | Hard chrome plating for corrosion and wear resistance |
Quality: Why We Test Every Cylinder
Our US hydraulic-equipment customer runs welded cylinders built to drawing, and has recorded three years with zero field claims — because every unit is pressure tested before it leaves the factory, and critical dimensions are checked in process. That’s the standard we apply to every single-acting cylinder too.
- 100% pressure and leakage testing before shipment
- Bore honing for smooth, low-friction operation
- Hard-chrome piston rods for seal life
Lead Time, MOQ & Trial Orders
- Trial order: from 1–5 pcs.
- Sample lead time: 10–15 days.
- Production lead time: 20–30 days depending on bore size and quantity.
- MOQ: from 3 pcs (confirmed per drawing), confirmed per drawing.
Inspection & Documents
- 100% pressure and leakage test (test certificate on request)
- Dimensional inspection (bore, stroke, mounting, port)
- Material and surface-treatment certificates on request
FAQ
What’s the difference between single and double acting?
A single-acting cylinder is powered in one direction only and returns by load or gravity — cheaper and simpler where you only need a push. A double-acting cylinder is powered in both directions. See our double-acting cylinders page.
Can you build to my existing drawing?
Yes — that’s the majority of what we do. Send the drawing and we review bore, stroke, mounting, pressure and finish before quoting.
Do you pressure test every cylinder?
Yes, 100% of cylinders are pressure and leakage tested before shipment, with a test certificate on request.
Send your drawing, bore, stroke and working pressure for a quote.
Related: Double-Acting Cylinders · Telescopic Cylinders · Tie-Rod Cylinders · All Hydraulic Cylinders
