Single Acting and Double Acting hydraulic cylinders: What’s the difference?

In this video, we will explain the difference between a single acting hydraulic cylinder and a double acting hydraulic cylinder. Find out more at A single acting cylinder has a piston rod, a cylinder barrel, a hydraulic seal and normally a bearing to limit how far it pumps out. When you feed oil or your hydraulic fluid into it through the inlet port, it will extend, exerting a force. In this case, lifting a mass. In this example we’re using a Micropac hand pump to provide the pressurised fluid. Hand pumps are low tech and easy but you could alternatively use an electric pump or air driven pump. When it has done its work, you need to release the fluid back into the tank. To do this we’ve fitted a needle valve into the Micropac hand pump. You open the valve and the oil flows,letting the mass drop. You always need a way of returning the cylinder. Either gravity return or use a spring. So the single acting cylinder will pump out, doing it