Common Hydraulic Cylinder Mounting Styles and Their Applications
In this guide, we’ll break down the most common hydraulic cylinder mounting styles, how they work, and where they are most commonly used.
In this guide, we’ll break down the most common hydraulic cylinder mounting styles, how they work, and where they are most commonly used.
Hydraulic cylinders are often the hidden backbone in countless industrial and mobile applications, providing the operation with the proper force to achieve precision and reliability. While cylinders have many important components, such as bore size, pressure rating, and stroke length, the correct mounting style is just as important for longevity and proper performance.
In this guide, we’ll break down the most common hydraulic cylinder mounting styles, how they work, and where they are most commonly used.
Your cylinder’s mounting style determines how force is transferred from the cylinder to the machine. The proper mounting configuration helps:
In order to select the proper mounting style, you must take several factors of your hydraulic cylinder into consideration, including:
Understanding these factors will only guide you through your mounting style selection process; ensuring that your hydraulic system performs as intended.
What Is a Flange Mount?
Flange-mounted cylinders use a rectangular or circular flange attached to the cylinder head or cap. The flange is bolted directly to the machine structure, creating a steady mounting surface.
Best Applications for Flange Mount Cylinders
Flange mounts are ideal for applications where force is applied along a straight centerline. They may be found in:
Advantages of Flange Mounts
What Is a Clevis Mount?
A clevis mount uses pivot points at one or both ends of the cylinder. This design allows the cylinder to pivot during operation as the machine moves through an arc.
Best Applications for Clevis Mounted Cylinders
Clevis mounts are frequently used in applications that involve changing angles or articulated movement, including:
Advantages of Clevis Mounts:
What Is a Trunnion Mount?
Trunnion-mount cylinders use pivot points attached to the cylinder body or head. These pins allow the cylinder pivot while supporting heavy loads.
Best Applications for Trunnion Mounted Cylinders
Trunnion mounts are commonly found in:
Advantages of Trunnion Mounts
What Is a Foot Mount?
Foot-mounted cylinders attach to the machine using mounting feet or base supports welded or bolted to the cylinder body.
Best Applications for Foot Mounted Cylinders
Foot mounts are typically used in:
Advantages of Foot Mounts
What Is a Side Lug Mount?
Side lug mounts use mounting plates or lugs attached to the side of the cylinder body for bolting onto equipment frames.
Best Applications for Side Lug Mounted Cylinders
These mounts are often used in:
Advantages of Side Lug Mounts
Hydraulic cylinder mounting styles play a major role in equipment reliability, efficiency, and performance. Understanding the strengths and applications of flange, clevis, trunnion, foot, and side lug mounts can help operators and engineers make informed decisions that reduce downtime and extend equipment life.
If you’re evaluating hydraulic cylinder options or need support selecting the right mounting style for your application, partnering with an experienced manufacturer can help ensure long-term success.
At Yates Industries, we manufacture and repair hydraulic cylinders designed for demanding industrial applications. Our team works closely with customers to identify the ideal cylinder configuration, mounting style, and performance specifications for their operation. Contact us today to diagnose your issue or learn more about our repair services.
