Double Acting Hydraulic Cylinder

Double acting hydraulic cylinder is designed to deliver reliable force in both directions, making it the preferred choice for equipment that demands precise control, smooth movement, and continuous operation. 

Compared with single acting cylinders, it provides greater operating efficiency, improved load stability, and more accurate positioning under varying working conditions.

Double Acting Hydraulic Cylinder

Double Acting Hydraulic Cylinder Manufacturer in China

ZHY Hydraulic is a double acting hydraulic cylinder manufacturer in China, supplying custom cylinders for OEM equipment manufacturers, hydraulic system companies, and industrial distributors. A double acting hydraulic cylinder—also called a two-way hydraulic cylinder or double acting hydraulic ram—uses hydraulic pressure for both extension and retraction, providing controlled force in both directions.

We manufacture compact and long-stroke designs, double rod hydraulic cylinders, differential cylinders, double acting telescopic hydraulic cylinders, steering cylinders, press cylinders, and heavy-duty units for mobile and industrial equipment. Bore, stroke, rod diameter, pressure, mounting, ports, cushions, seals, materials, and surface protection can be engineered from your drawing or sample.

Double acting hydraulic cylinder price depends on size, load, pressure, structure, materials, testing, quantity, and documentation requirements. Tube honing, rod machining, welding, assembly, dimensional inspection, and pressure testing are controlled to support consistent prototypes, repeat production, and reliable field performance.

What Is a Double Acting Hydraulic Cylinder Double Acting Hydraulic Cylinder

What Is a Double Acting Hydraulic Cylinder?

A double acting hydraulic cylinder is a linear hydraulic actuator that uses fluid pressure on both sides of the piston to move the rod in two directions ,extension and retraction are both powered by hydraulic force. This differs from a single acting cylinder, which extends under pressure but returns via spring force, gravity, or the weight of the load.
This gives stronger, more predictable control in equipment that needs repeated, reliable movement in both directions. → [What Is a Double Acting Hydraulic Cylinder? Full Guide]

How Does a Double Acting Hydraulic Cylinder Work?

Oil enters one side of the piston through a dedicated port, pushing the rod outward (extension). To retract, the flow reverses ,oil enters the opposite chamber while the extension side is directed back to the reservoir. This two-port design means the cylinder never has to rely on outside force to move: hydraulic pressure alone drives it in both directions.

The working principle is simple, but manufacturing precision determines
whether it holds up in the field. Common failure points include:

  • Rough tube honing → uneven piston travel, accelerated seal wear
  • Under hardened rod surface → scoring, pitting, leak paths over time
  • Mismatched seal selection → pressure loss under heat or high-cycle 
  • Weak welds → cracking under repeated load

ZHY controls tube honing, rod hardening, seal matching, and weld inspection in-house, then pressure-tests every cylinder at 1.5× rated working pressure before it ships.

How Does a Double Acting Hydraulic Cylinder Work

Key Features of ZHY Double Acting Hydraulic Cylinders

Fully Customizable

Bore, stroke, rod diameter, mounting type, tube material, seal brand, and working pressure are all configurable to your equipment.

Stable Sealing Performance

Seal systems (NOK / Parker / Hallite) are matched to your pressure, temperature, and oil type to reduce leakage and extend service intervals.

High-Strength Rod and Tube

Hard chrome-plated rods and honed 45#/27SiMn/42CrMo, tubes for wear resistance and smooth piston travel,extend service life.

Heavy-Duty Application Support

Built for construction, agricultural, mining, lifting, and industrial automation equipment operating under continuous load cycles.

Flexible OEM and Wholesale Supply

Batch production, OEM branding, and custom packaging for machinery manufacturers and hydraulic parts distributors.

Drawing-Based Production

Send drawings, samples, or specifications of an cylinder — ZHY manufactures to your exact dimensions.

Quality Inspection Before Delivery

Every cylinder is checked for dimensional accuracy, seal integrity, and pressure resistance before it leaves the factory.

Fast Production & Delivery

Packaging designed to withstand international freight and handling.

Double Acting Hydraulic Cylinder Technical Specifications

These specifications are for reference only.
We manufacture a wide range of hydraulic cylinders in different dimensions, materials, mounting styles, and pressure ranges to meet your equipment and application requirements.If you cannot find the hydraulic cylinder sizes that match your requirements in the table, please feel free to contact the ZHY team.

ItemRangeNotes
Bore Diameter22mm – 600mmCustom bores available on request
Stroke LengthUp to 6000mmTelescopic designs, 2–6 stages
Working PressureUp to 100MpaRated per application, tested at 1.5×
Rod Diameter20mm–300 mmCustom rod sizes available on request
Chrome plating thickness30–50 µmSalt-spray tested 500+ hrs
Mounting TypeClevis / Flange / TrunnionCustom available on request
Tube & Rod Material20# Steel,45# Steel,27SiMn、42CrMo,Carbon Steel, Alloy Steel, Stainless SteelCustom available on request
Seal BrandHallite, NOK, SKF, Parker,TYS SealsCustom available on request
Temperature Range-20°C to +120°CCustom available on request
 

Double Acting Hydraulic Cylinder Applications

ZHY double acting hydraulic cylinders are designed for equipment that needs controlled movement, stable power output, and reliable operation. If you are buying for OEM production, equipment maintenance, machinery assembly, or wholesale hydraulic parts supply, you can select double acting hydraulic rams based on your application environment.

01-construction-machinery

Construction Machinery

Excavators, wheel loaders, bulldozers, cranes, and road construction equipment requiring high-force bidirectional motion.

02-agricultural-equipment

Agricultural Equipment

Tractors, harvesters, sprayers, and other farm equipment requiring reliable lifting, steering, and attachment control.

03-dump-trucks-and-trailers

Dump Trucks & Trailers

Used for dump bodies, tipping trailers, hook lifts, and roll-off systems requiring stable extension and retraction.

04-forklifts-and-material-handling

Forklifts & Material Handling

Forklifts, telehandlers, reach stackers, and warehouse handling equipment for lifting, tilting, and steering operations.

05-aerial-work-platforms

Aerial Work Platforms

Boom lifts, scissor lifts, spider lifts, and truck-mounted platforms requiring smooth, precise elevation control.

06-marine-equipment

Marine Equipment

Steering systems, deck cranes, hatch covers, winches, and offshore equipment exposed to corrosive environments.

Double Acting Hydraulic Cylinder Mounting Types

The mounting type affects how the cylinder connects to your equipment and how force is transferred during operation. Choosing the wrong mounting method can cause installation difficulty, uneven stress, unstable motion, or premature damage. ZHY helps you match the mounting type to your machine structure.

01-clevis-mount-double-acting-hydraulic-cylinder

Clevis Mount

Ideal for pivoting connections, clevis mount cylinders work well in lifting arms, agricultural machinery, and construction equipment where the cylinder angle changes during movement.

02-flange-mount-double-acting-hydraulic-cylinder

Flange Mount

Flange mount cylinders provide a strong and stable fixed connection. If your equipment needs direct force output with a solid mounting base, flange mounting can be a practical choice.

03-trunnion-mount-double-acting-hydraulic-cylinder

Trunnion Mount

Trunnion mount cylinders allow pivoting movement around the trunnion axis. This mounting type is often used when the cylinder must rotate slightly during operation while still maintaining strong support.

04-foot-mount-double-acting-hydraulic-cylinder

Foot Mount

Foot mount cylinders are installed through base-mounted feet. They are often used in industrial equipment where the cylinder needs to be fixed to a frame or platform.

05-rod-end-mount-double-acting-hydraulic-cylinder

Rod End Mount

Rod end mounting helps connect the piston rod to moving parts of the machine. You can choose different rod end structures depending on the connection design, load condition, and movement direction.

Manufacturing Support Includes

CapabilityWhat It Means for You
CNC MachiningHelps ensure accurate dimensions and stable part consistency.
Tube HoningImproves inner surface smoothness and piston movement.
Rod ProcessingSupports wear resistance and stable sealing performance.
Welding & AssemblyHelps improve structural strength and durability.
Seal InstallationReduces leakage risk and improves service life.
Pressure TestingConfirms cylinder performance before delivery.
OEM ProductionSupports your brand, drawings, packaging, and batch supply.
Export PackagingHelps protect cylinders during international shipping.

Why Choose Double Acting Hydraulic Cylinder?

For equipment requiring smooth movement, accurate positioning, and continuous operation, double acting hydraulic cylinders are often the preferred solution. Their ability to generate hydraulic force during both extension and retraction makes them suitable for demanding applications such as construction machinery, agricultural equipment, aerial work platforms, and industrial automation.

Key Features:
✔ Hydraulic Power in Both Directions
✔ Better Motion Control
✔ Stable Performance
✔ Suitable for Continuous Operation

FeatureDouble Acting Hydraulic CylindersSingle Acting Hydraulic Cylinders
Hydraulic PowerBoth directionsOne direction
Motion ControlMore preciseBasic
Operating EfficiencyHigherStandard
Best ForContinuous operationSimple lifting tasks

Quick Summary:
Choose a double acting hydraulic cylinder for precise control, continuous operation, and powered movement in both directions.
Choose a single acting hydraulic cylinder when hydraulic power is only needed for one stroke and gravity or an external force can return the piston.
If you’re designing OEM equipment, a double acting cylinder is typically the preferred choice for higher productivity and operational flexibility.

Want a detailed comparison? Read our complete guide: Double Acting vs Single Acting Hydraulic Cylinders.

answer your questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. ZHY supports drawing-based manufacturing. You can send drawings, samples, equipment photos, old cylinder dimensions, or technical requirements. Our factory team can help you review bore size, stroke length, rod diameter, mounting type, pressure level, and seal structure before production.

 

ZHY double acting hydraulic cylinders are available with working pressures ranging from 16 MPa to 100 MPa, depending on the cylinder design, application, and operating conditions. Every cylinder is engineered according to your pressure requirements and is pressure tested before delivery to ensure safe, reliable performance. For high-pressure or heavy-duty applications, our engineering team can recommend the most suitable materials, sealing system, and structural design.

Before delivery, ZHY can inspect the cylinder dimensions, assembly quality, sealing performance, pressure resistance, rod movement, surface finish, and appearance. Pressure testing is especially important because it helps confirm whether the cylinder can work safely under the required working pressure. For OEM and wholesale orders, this helps you reduce receiving risk and after-sales problems.

 

Yes. If you are a machinery manufacturer, distributor, or wholesale hydraulic parts buyer, ZHY can support OEM branding, customized labels, product identification, packaging, and batch production. This helps you build your own market identity while sourcing from a reliable hydraulic cylinder factory in China.

 

You should provide bore diameter, stroke length, rod diameter, working pressure, mounting type, total length, application, quantity, and drawings if available. If you do not have complete drawings, you can send photos and key measurements. The more accurate your information is, the faster ZHY can recommend the right double acting hydraulic cylinder solution.

Yes. We manufacture custom hydraulic cylinders that can serve as replacements for many Bosch Rexroth cylinder applications. Our engineers can reproduce the required specifications based on technical drawings or existing samples while ensuring compatibility with your hydraulic system. Each replacement cylinder is manufactured and tested to meet your performance and reliability requirements.

Yes. ZHY can manufacture custom replacement hydraulic cylinders compatible with many Parker cylinder models. If you provide a drawing, part number, dimensions, or a sample, our engineering team can produce a cylinder with matching mounting dimensions, stroke, bore size, rod diameter, pressure rating, and sealing configuration. We can also recommend design improvements where appropriate to enhance service life and performance.

Yes. We manufacture stainless steel hydraulic cylinders for applications requiring superior corrosion resistance, including marine equipment, food processing machinery, offshore systems, chemical plants, and other harsh environments. Common material options include SS304 and SS316, with custom materials available according to your application requirements.

Our minimum order quantity accept 1 set for large hydraulic cylinder. For fully customized cylinders, the MOQ is determined by the manufacturing process and material requirements. Please contact our sales team with your specifications, and we will provide the most suitable quotation and production plan.

Lead time depends on the product type, order quantity, and customization requirements. we are typically delivered within 15–25 days, for large order depond on the quantity. For urgent projects, we will work with you to optimize the production schedule whenever possible.

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