Single Acting Hydraulic Cylinder

Custom single acting hydraulic cylinders for lifting, pushing, clamping, pressing, and OEM equipment. Built to your drawings with reliable performance and fast delivery.

Custom Bore & Stroke

Pressure Tested

OEM / ODM Support

Fast Technical Response

Single Acting Hydraulic Cylinder Overview

A single acting hydraulic cylinder uses hydraulic pressure to extend the piston in one direction, and a spring or external force to return it. It features a simple structure, reliable performance, and easy maintenance. Widely used in lifting, pushing, clamping, and pressing applications across industrial, mobile, and agricultural equipment.

Single Acting Hydraulic Cylinder in China

ZHY Hydraulic specializes in manufacturing custom single acting hydraulic cylinders in China. Our cylinders are widely used in hydraulic jacks, lifting platforms, agricultural machinery, material handling, sanitation vehicles, and other industrial equipment.

With advanced CNC machining, precision welding, and strict quality control, we ensure high efficiency, long service life, and stable performance. Whether you need standard models or fully customized solutions, we deliver cylinders that match your application requirements.

Custom Single Acting Hydraulic Cylinder Solutions

ZHY Hydraulic customizes single acting hydraulic cylinders according to your drawings, samples, bore size, stroke length, working pressure, mounting style, sealing system, and application needs. Our solutions help you get reliable one-direction hydraulic force for lifting, pushing, clamping, pressing, and OEM equipment.

Custom Bore & Stroke

Designed to your required bore size and stroke length.

Custom Pressure

Built for your working pressure and safety needs.

Custom Mounting

Multiple mounting styles available for easy installation.

Custom Sealing

High-quality seals for leak-free and durable use.

OEM Branding

Logo, color, and packaging support for your brand.

Recommended Single Acting Cylinder Types

Single acting hydraulic cylinders are available in different return methods, bore sizes, stroke ranges, and structural designs. Choose the right cylinder type according to your load direction, return method, installation space, working cycle, and equipment safety requirements.

Spring Return Cylinder

Best for automatic reset, compact mechanisms, presses, clamps and equipment requiring predictable return without a second oil port.

Load / Gravity Return Cylinder

Suitable for lifting, tipping and hoisting systems where the load naturally retracts the rod when pressure is released.

Single Acting Ram Cylinder

Designed for pushing and lifting applications requiring high thrust, simple structure and rugged performance in harsh environments.

Hollow Plunger Cylinder

Used for tensioning, pulling and special tooling systems where the center hole allows rods, cables or bolts to pass through.

Small Bore Cylinder

For compact machinery, agricultural implements and space-limited equipment where stroke control and leakage prevention still matter.

Heavy-Duty Cylinder

Built with stronger tube, piston rod, seals and surface treatment for heavy load cycles, shock load and outdoor operation.

What Is a Single Acting Hydraulic Cylinder?

A single acting hydraulic cylinder has one hydraulic port. Hydraulic pressure extends the piston in one direction, while a built-in spring or external load returns it to the original position.

It has a simple structure, low cost, and easy maintenance, making it ideal for lifting, clamping, pushing, and pressing applications.

☑ Use it when your equipment only needs powered movement in one direction.

☑ Choose spring return when automatic reset and safer retraction are required.

☑ Avoid it when you need powered extension and powered retraction under full control.

How Does a Single ActingHydraulic Cylinder Work?

1. Hydraulic Pressure Extends

Hydraulic fluid enters the cylinder, pushing the piston and extending the rod.

2. Hold Pressure

The cylinder holds the load when pressure is maintained.

3. Spring or External Force Returns

When pressure is released, the spring or external force returns the rod to the original position.

Key Features & Benefits

Technical Specifications

Our single acting hydraulic cylinders can be customized according to your equipment structure, working pressure, installation space, and operating environment. From bore size and stroke length to rod material, mounting style, sealing system, and surface treatment, each specification is selected to ensure stable force output, smooth movement, reliable sealing, and long service life in demanding hydraulic applications.

ItemSpecification
Bore Size25 mm – 250 mm
Stroke LengthUp to 3000 mm
Working PressureUp to 250 bar / 3600 psi
Mounting StyleEye, Clevis, Trunnion, Flange, Foot, etc.
Rod MaterialC45, 42CrMo, hard chrome plated
Tube MaterialST52, E355 honed steel tube
Sealing SystemPU, NBR, PTFE seals
Surface FinishHard chrome plated / painted
Operating Temperature-20°C to +80°C

Typical Applications

Single acting hydraulic cylinders are widely used in equipment that requires strong one-direction hydraulic force with simple return movement. They are ideal for lifting, pushing, tilting, supporting, and positioning tasks in hydraulic jacks, lifting platforms, dumping systems, agricultural machinery, material handling equipment, and sanitation vehicles.

Hydraulic Jacks

Used for lifting, supporting, and positioning heavy loads with simple and reliable hydraulic force.

Lifting Platforms

Suitable for scissor lifts, service platforms, and compact lifting systems requiring one-direction lifting force.

Dumping Systems

Applied in dump trucks, trailers, and tipping equipment where gravity-assisted return is available.

Agricultural Machinery

Used in tractors, harvesters, trailers, and farm equipment for lifting, tilting, and positioning operations.

Material Handling

Suitable for forklifts, lifting devices, handling equipment, and industrial transport systems.

Sanitation Vehicles

Used in garbage trucks, waste handling equipment, and municipal service vehicles requiring stable hydraulic movement.

Manufacturing Capability & Quality Control

ZHY Hydraulic controls every key production step from material selection to final pressure testing. Each single acting hydraulic cylinder is manufactured with precision machining, reliable welding, smooth honing, careful assembly, and strict inspection to ensure stable performance, leak resistance, and long service life.

Material

High-quality steel is selected according to pressure, load, and working environment requirements.

CNC Machining

Precision machining ensures accurate dimensions, smooth fitting, and stable cylinder movement.

Welding

Strong and clean welding improves structural strength and pressure resistance.

Chrome / Honing

Chrome plating and honing reduce wear, improve smoothness, and extend service life.

Assembly

Each component is carefully assembled with proper seals, rods, pistons, and fittings.

Pressure Test

Every cylinder is pressure-tested before delivery to check sealing, strength, and performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.How does a single acting hydraulic cylinder return?
A single acting hydraulic cylinder returns by a built-in spring, external load, or gravity after hydraulic pressure is released. The return method depends on the cylinder structure, installation direction, and equipment working condition.

2.What is the main difference between single acting and double acting hydraulic cylinders?
A single acting hydraulic cylinder uses hydraulic pressure in one direction only, while a double acting hydraulic cylinder uses hydraulic pressure for both extension and retraction. Single acting cylinders are simpler, easier to maintain, and suitable for lifting, pushing, clamping, and gravity-return applications.

3.What sealing systems do you use?
We use PU, NBR, PTFE, and other sealing materials according to working pressure, oil type, temperature, speed, and operating environment. The right seal helps reduce leakage, improve stability, and extend cylinder service life.

4.Can you customize bore size, stroke length, pressure, and mounting style?
Yes. ZHY Hydraulic can customize bore size, stroke length, working pressure, rod diameter, mounting style, sealing system, surface treatment, and color according to your drawings, samples, or equipment requirements.

5.What information should I provide for a quotation?
You can send us the cylinder drawing, bore size, stroke length, working pressure, mounting type, rod diameter, retracted length, extended length, oil port size, quantity, and application details. If you do not have a drawing, our team can help review your sample or basic dimensions.

6.How do you test hydraulic cylinders before delivery?
Each hydraulic cylinder goes through dimensional inspection, weld checking, assembly inspection, seal leakage testing, and pressure testing before shipment. This helps confirm stable performance, safe operation, and reliable sealing.

7.What applications are single acting hydraulic cylinders suitable for?
Single acting hydraulic cylinders are commonly used in hydraulic jacks, lifting platforms, dump trucks, agricultural machinery, material handling equipment, sanitation vehicles, presses, clamps, and equipment requiring one-direction hydraulic force.

8.Can you produce single acting hydraulic cylinders for OEM projects?
Yes. We support OEM and ODM production for machinery manufacturers, equipment repair companies, and hydraulic system suppliers. Custom options include logo, color, packaging, mounting design, pressure rating, sealing system, and drawing-based manufacturing.