How is hydraulic cylinder push force calculated?

Push force is system pressure times the full-bore piston area: F = P·π·D²/4. Pull force uses the annular area instead: F = P·π·(D²−d²)/4, so a cylinder always pulls less than it pushes.

What buckling safety factor does a cylinder rod need?

Target a Euler buckling safety factor of at least 4 for external-pressure service. The critical load is P_cr = π²·E·I/(K·L)², where K depends on the rod end condition: 1.0 pinned-pinned, 0.7 fixed-pinned, 0.5 fixed-fixed.

How do I estimate cylinder cycle time?

Cycle time is the extend time plus the retract time: t = L/v₁ + L/v₂, where v₁ and v₂ are the extend and retract piston speeds from pump flow divided by the respective areas. Retract is faster because the annular area is smaller.

How much force does the 3.5 in Bore Cylinder Tonnage produce?

At 2500 psi a 3.5 in bore cylinder pushes 12.0 tons and pulls 9.0 tons. Pull force is lower because the rod reduces the annular area.

What is the cycle time for the 3.5 in Bore Cylinder Tonnage?

At 10 gpm the 24 in stroke extends and retracts in 10.5 seconds total. Retract is faster because the annular area is smaller than the full bore.

Is the rod in the 3.5 in Bore Cylinder Tonnage safe against buckling?

The pinned-pinned rod has a Euler buckling safety factor of 9.5. Target at least 4 for external-pressure service; a fixed-pinned or fixed-fixed end raises the critical load.

3.5 in Bore Cylinder Tonnage

Push and pull tonnage, piston speed and rod buckling for a 3.5 in bore cylinder with a 24 in stroke.

3.5 in bore cylinder tonnage

The 3.5 in Bore Cylinder Tonnage covers a 3.5 in bore cylinder with a 1.75 in rod at 2500 psi, pushing 12.0 tons and pulling 9.0 tons. At 10 gpm the 24 in stroke cycles in 10.5 seconds, and the pinned-pinned rod carries a Euler buckling safety factor of 9.5 against the 24,053 lb push load.

Push and pull force

Push and pull force is computed deterministically from the parameters encoded in this page's address, so the same inputs always produce the same result and the same OAS-XXXX verification hash.

Rod buckling safety factor

Rod buckling safety factor is computed deterministically from the parameters encoded in this page's address, so the same inputs always produce the same result and the same OAS-XXXX verification hash.

Worked example

Size the 3.5 in Bore Cylinder Tonnage for a 3.5 in bore, 24 in stroke cylinder at 2500 psi and 10 gpm with a pinned-pinned rod.

Worked example steps for this calculation
Step	Formula	Value
Push force	F = P·π·D²/4	24,053 lb
Pull force	F = P·π·(D²−d²)/4	18,040 lb
Cycle time	t = L/v₁ + L/v₂	10.5 s
Buckling safety factor	SF = P_cr / F_push	9.5

The 3.5 in Bore Cylinder Tonnage pushes 12.0 tons and pulls 9.0 tons, cycling in 10.5 seconds with a buckling safety factor of 9.5 (above the target of 4).

Export this calculation

OAS-0642

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Engineering summary

Governing parameters and computed results for 3.5 in Bore Cylinder Tonnage.

Governing parameters and computed results for this calculation
Parameter	Value
Bore	3.5
Stroke	24
Extend Area (A₁)	9.621 in²
Retract Area (A₂)	8.627 in²
Push Force	12.03 ton
Pull Force	10.78 ton
Extend Speed	72.03 in/min
Retract Speed	80.33 in/min
Cycle Time	37.92 s
Buckling Safety Factor	1.62

Frequently asked questions

How much force does the 3.5 in Bore Cylinder Tonnage produce?: At 2500 psi a 3.5 in bore cylinder pushes 12.0 tons and pulls 9.0 tons. Pull force is lower because the rod reduces the annular area.
What is the cycle time for the 3.5 in Bore Cylinder Tonnage?: At 10 gpm the 24 in stroke extends and retracts in 10.5 seconds total. Retract is faster because the annular area is smaller than the full bore.
Is the rod in the 3.5 in Bore Cylinder Tonnage safe against buckling?: The pinned-pinned rod has a Euler buckling safety factor of 9.5. Target at least 4 for external-pressure service; a fixed-pinned or fixed-fixed end raises the critical load.

Hydraulic Cylinder Sizer

Deterministic push and pull force, piston speed, cycle time and Euler rod buckling safety factor for a double-acting cylinder.

Result

A 3.50 in bore cylinder at 2500 psi pushes 12.03 ton and pulls 10.78 ton, completing a full cycle in 37.92 s.

12.03ton push

Presets

Cylinder

Parameters

Bore (D)

Rod Diameter (d)

Stroke (L)

System Pressure (P)

psi

Flow Rate (Q)

gpm

Rod End Condition