A hydraulic cylinder is a linear actuator powered by hydrostatic energy. A linear actuator is a mechanical device engineered to create force in a straight line, either pushing or pulling. Hydrostatic energy is the motivation behind the cylinder’s ability to create linear force, and is created (i.e., converted) by the hydraulic pump.

A telescoping cylinder is a cylinder employing several pistons which telescope into each other. This cylinder is used when a relatively long working stroke is needed for a short cylinder length. Telescopic configuration cylinders are used in a variety of applications that require the use of a long cylinder in a space-constrained environment.

Side loading – Side loading is caused from the cylinder being misaligned which creates an unusual force on the piston rod. A side load of enough magnitude can result in tube scoring, piston rod and rod bearing wear, and seal failure. Contaminated Fluid – Contaminated fluid can cause premature rod seal failure. Abrasive particles in the fluid can damage the seal and the piston rod surface, airborne contamination can be drawn into a cylinder by a faulty wiper seal. Contamination occurs in numerous ways, the most common is drawn in from oil or from the pump. Rough or scored rod – Rough places on the rod damage the seals and reduce their normal life resulting in the necessity for frequent replacement.

In basic terms, a hydraulic power pack is a self-contained unit that consists mainly of a motor, a reservoir and a hydraulic pump. It works to apply the hydraulic pressure needed to drive motors, cylinders, and other complementary parts of a given hydraulic system. Using fluid to transmit power from one location to another, hydraulic power packs can generate massive amounts of power which can be used to drive hydraulic machinery.