A useful custom hydraulic cylinder quotation starts with the application, not just a bore and stroke. Two cylinders with the same dimensions can require different rods, seals, mountings and surface protection when their loads and environments differ. Use the checklist below to give an engineering team enough information to review the duty and propose a suitable design.
1. Describe the job the cylinder must do
State what the cylinder moves, the machine it belongs to, and whether the motion is lifting, pushing, pulling, clamping or positioning. Include a drawing or photograph of the installation if available. For a replacement cylinder, provide the old drawing and explain what failed or needs to change.
2. Define the force and pressure
Share the required force in both directions, the normal working pressure and the maximum system pressure. A first estimate of extension force is pressure multiplied by the piston area; retraction force uses the annular area after subtracting the rod area. These ideal values do not account for friction, dynamic effects or an engineering safety margin. If the load is uncertain, describe the load case and operating sequence rather than guessing a final bore size.
3. Provide the stroke and installed dimensions
- Required working stroke and any end-position tolerance.
- Retracted and extended pin-to-pin or flange-to-flange dimensions.
- Space available around the barrel, rod end and ports.
- Whether the cylinder must fit an existing machine without changing its brackets.
Long strokes and compression loads deserve a rod buckling check. Stroke length alone cannot establish whether a rod is adequate; mounting geometry and unsupported length matter.
4. Specify mounting and side-load conditions
Identify the mounting at each end: clevis, trunnion, flange, foot, spherical bearing or another arrangement. Provide pin diameters and bracket dimensions where relevant. Note any expected side load, misalignment, vibration or shock. A cylinder is primarily intended to carry axial load; significant side load may require changes to the guide arrangement, bearing design or machine structure.
5. Describe speed, duty cycle and control
Give the target extension and retraction times, cycles per hour or day, hold time under load, and expected service life. Explain whether the motion needs precise positioning, cushioning at the ends of travel, load holding, or sensors. These details affect flow, port sizing, heat, seals and control components.
6. Explain the operating environment
List ambient and oil temperature ranges, hydraulic fluid type, and exposure to dust, water, salt spray, chemicals or outdoor weather. In marine or waterfront installations, corrosion protection and rod-surface choices should be reviewed together with the actual exposure and maintenance plan. If the cylinder works on a water gate or similar asset, describe immersion, splash and inspection conditions rather than using the broad label “marine grade.”
7. Confirm interfaces and acceptance requirements
Include the port thread and location, hose routing, seal compatibility, required finish or coating, documentation, inspection and test expectations. If a standard or project specification applies, attach the exact revision. State any required traceability or third-party witness testing before quotation.
Quick RFQ checklist
- Machine and application drawing or photos
- Push and pull force; working and maximum pressure
- Stroke; retracted and extended installed dimensions
- Mounting style, pin sizes and alignment constraints
- Speed, cycle rate, cushioning and position sensing
- Fluid, temperature and environmental exposure
- Ports, surface protection and required tests
- Quantity, delivery destination and target schedule
For related applications, see our water-gate hoist cylinder and crane hydraulic cylinder pages. If you have a drawing or replacement requirement, send the details to our team for a technical review and quotation.
Illustration note: the accompanying cylinder cutaway is a conceptual diagram for explaining components. It is not a drawing or specification of a particular Yongjian product.