Are welded rod cylinders available in single-acting and double-acting configurations?

Yes, welded rod cylinders can be either single‑acting (hydraulic extend/gravity retract) or double‑acting (hydraulic extend and retract), depending on the intended use.

In which industries are welded rod hydraulic cylinders commonly used?

These cylinders are widely used in industries such as construction (e.g., excavators, cranes), agriculture (e.g., tractors, loaders), and material handling (e.g., forklifts, conveyors) where high ruggedness and compact size are essential.

What are welded rod hydraulic cylinders?

Welded rod hydraulic cylinders feature a compact, robust design where the barrel and end caps are permanently welded together. This eliminates external tie rods and reduces leak points, making them ideal for high-pressure, heavy‑duty, and space‑constrained applications. They are especially common in construction, agricultural, and material handling equipment.

The Most Common Types of Welded Rod Hydraulic Cylinders

Published: July 2, 2025 Last Updated: July 2, 2025 Welded Rod Cylinders Double Acting Welded Rod Cylinders, Single Acting Welded Rod Cylinders, Welded Rod

Welded rod hydraulic cylinders are heavy-duty, performance-built cylinders known for their durable and compact design. While all welded rod cylinders are built to withstand demanding environments and machines, different types of cylinders are available, each with its own benefits and applications.

Here, we’ll cover the two most popular types of welded rod hydraulic cylinders: Single-acting and double-acting. Keep reading to learn more!

Single-Acting Welded Rod Cylinders

Single-Acting Rod cylinders (SAR) use hydraulics for extension. Hydraulic pressure extends the cylinder’s piston in one direction, completing half of one stroke. However, for retraction, SAR cylinders rely on a spring, gravity, and the weight of the lifted load to restore the piston. Single-acting welded rod cylinders are simple to use and best suited for straightforward jobs.

Benefits of Single-Acting Welded Rod Cylinders

There are many advantages of using SAR hydraulic cylinders for heavy-duty projects, including:

Simple Design: SAR cylinders are easy to install, use, and repair.
Cost-Effective: These cylinders have fewer components and are less expensive overall.
Compact Build: They’re made with a small, space-saving design.
High Mobility: These cylinders are ideal for mobile equipment.

Applications of Single-Acting Welded Rod Cylinders

Because these cylinders only use hydraulics in one direction, their applications may appear limited. However, SAR cylinders are highly beneficial to a variety of operations, including but not limited to:

Dump trucks
Lifting or pressing equipment (such as cranes or hydraulic jacks)
Clamping equipment
Moving loads in one direction

Double-Acting Welded Rod Cylinders

Double-Acting Rod cylinders (DAR) are slightly more complex than their SAR counterparts. These cylinders rely on hydraulic action for both extension and retraction. Because of this, DAR cylinders offer greater control and are often used for applications requiring fast and consistent operations. However, DAR cylinders are often more expensive than SAR cylinders.

Benefits of Double-Acting Welded Rod Cylinders

Advantages of using DAR hydraulic cylinders include:

Enhanced Control: Double action results in greater control for both extension and retraction.
Increased Versatility: DAR cylinders can be used in a wide range of operations and equipment.
Consistent Performance: Using hydraulics for extension and retraction ensures consistent operation.
High Efficiency: These cylinders maintain precision even at high operational speeds.

Applications of Double-Acting Welded Rod Cylinders

Higher levels of control, speed, and consistency make double-acting welded rod cylinders an excellent solution for heavy-duty equipment including but not limited to:

Elevators
Forklifts
Excavators
Bulldozers

Choosing Between Single-Acting and Double-Acting Welded Rod Cylinders

While double-acting cylinders can do everything single-acting cylinders can do and more, they are not always the best solution for a project. For example, an SAR cylinder is the better option for simple or light industrial applications. Choosing the right type of replacement welded rod hydraulic cylinders for your operations will help ensure maximum efficiency, better performance, and the most cost-effective solution.

Consider the requirements and specifications of your project before selecting a cylinder. Contact us for assistance, and our team will help determine the right cylinder for your needs.

Welded Rod Cylinders vs Tie Rod Cylinders

When comparing types of hydraulic cylinders, keep in mind that cylinders are generally divided into two types: Welded rod and tie rod. These styles refer specifically to the design of the cylinder barrel.

Tie rod cylinders have threaded metal rods on the outside that hold the ends of the cylinder together. These rods are secured with nuts to hold the end caps to the cylinder barrel. Tie rod cylinders are easy to assemble; however, they have a bulky design that can take up valuable space.

Welded rod cylinders have a more complex design, where the barrel and end caps are directly welded together. They have a lightweight and compact design, yet are excellent for medium to heavy-duty applications that require high-pressure specifications.

Contact Hydraulic Cylinders, Inc. Today for Single-Acting and Double-Acting Welded Rod Hydraulic Cylinders

Ready to replace your welded rod cylinders? At Hydraulic Cylinders, Inc., we offer a wide selection of single-acting and double-acting hydraulic cylinders for a variety of equipment and applications. Our performance-built cylinders are designed to help you demolish downtime and get back to work. Order by 12:00 PM CST for our FASTSHIP same-day shipping on in-stock items and keep your operations moving!