With a hydraulic cylinder, you can work smarter and not harder. These cylinders create a linear mechanical force, enabling machinery to press, pull, push, or lift objects that weigh up to several thousand tons. However, they aren't just for heavy lifting. Here are a few more uses for hydraulic cylinders.

1. Construction

Without hydraulic cylinders, most construction equipment wouldn't work. Hydraulic cylinders power bulldozers, booms, buckets of excavators, and crane arms. By filling a hydraulic cylinder with pressurized oil, these machines can maneuver and manipulate the terrains and objects on a construction site. According to How Stuff Works, large construction equipment and other machines can use over 100 gallons of hydraulic oil.

2. Marine Applications

Hydraulic cylinders are also an essential component of large water vessels. They enhance steering and safety functions, stabilize fins, and ensure that hatches have a watertight seal. Hydraulics are used on offshore rigs, subsea vessels, and passenger or commercial ships, so it's best to consult hydraulic cylinder services to determine the best application for you.

3. Agriculture

In agriculture, hydraulic cylinders have significantly reduced the manual labor required to cultivate hundreds of acres. On a farm, hydraulics are found in tractors, fertilizer sprayers, harvesters, and track loaders. Using hydraulic cylinders to power equipment maximizes efficiency, which can reduce a consumer's food cost.

4. Food Service

From the farm, most food must be processed. Machinery in the food processing industry relies on hydraulic cylinders. Moving food from factory to table is possible through hydraulics in mixing, packaging, and conveying. However, hydraulics in the food industry must be cleaned and sterilized according to food safety standards. To ensure your equipment meets the required standards, speak to trusted hydraulic cylinder services.

5. Emergency Response

Hydraulic cylinders are invaluable for emergency response teams. They are critical components in fire trucks and ensure that telescopic ladders extend and compress. Some rescue vehicles are equipped with hydraulic jacks designed to move trains. Firefighters also carry a hydraulic tool called “the jaws of life,” which is used to pry open car doors or windows at the scene of an accident. Without hydraulic cylinders, dangerous situations would be resolved less quickly.

With numerous applications, it's clear why hydraulics have become an essential piece of equipment in many industries. If your machinery that is powered by hydraulic cylinders is malfunctioning, call Kingdom Builders Machining and Hydraulics today!