Sizing an aerial work platform hydraulic cylinder starts with the machine function, linkage geometry, rated load and hydraulic limits. A scissor-lift cylinder, boom-lift luffing cylinder, outrigger cylinder and platform-leveling cylinder do not share the same load path, so each function needs its own calculation and drawing review.
Define the Cylinder Function Before Selecting Dimensions
Identify the platform type, model, working height and cylinder function. Verified applications include scissor lifts, articulated and straight boom lifts, truck-mounted aerial platforms and related high-altitude equipment. State whether the cylinder lifts, telescopes, levels, steers, slews or supports the machine through outriggers.
- Map the cylinder mounting points at every critical position.
- Record platform, boom and payload masses and their centers of gravity.
- Identify static holding, dynamic motion and emergency-lowering cases.
- Separate normal duty from peak or shock conditions.
How Bore Relates to Required Force
Theoretical extension force equals hydraulic pressure multiplied by piston area. The required cylinder force must first be derived from the platform mechanism, not from platform capacity alone. In scissor geometry, the force demand can be highest near the collapsed position. In a boom lift, the cylinder load changes with boom angle, outreach and payload location.
After determining the most demanding load case, select a preliminary bore using available system pressure and the machine designer’s allowances for friction, pressure loss, dynamic effects and safety criteria. Retraction force must be checked using the annular area after the rod diameter is selected.
How to Select the Rod Diameter
The rod must withstand tension, compression, bending risk and repeated cycles. Long strokes and compressive loading require a buckling review based on unsupported length, end conditions and alignment. A larger rod can improve some strength checks, but it also reduces retraction area and changes pull force, speed, mass and packaging.
- Check tensile and compressive stress.
- Evaluate buckling at maximum extension.
- Review side-load and mounting-alignment risk.
- Recalculate retraction force and speed.
How to Determine Stroke and Closed Length
Stroke comes from the distance between required machine positions. Model the mounting-center distance when the platform is lowered, fully raised and at any intermediate interference point. The selected cylinder must fit the available closed-length envelope and must not rely on internal bottoming to stop the platform unless the system is specifically designed for that condition.
Set Working Pressure From the Complete Hydraulic System
Working pressure must match the pump, valves, hoses, cylinder, mounts and structural limits. Increasing pressure to compensate for an undersized bore can overload other components. Include normal pressure, relief setting, transient peaks and pressure-holding duty in the design review.
Dải sản phẩm đã xác thực
| Đường kính lỗ khoan | 40–230 mm |
| Đường kính thanh | 22–160 mm |
| Đột quỵ | 85–19020 mm |
| Áp suất làm việc | ≤ 32 MPa |
| Lực đẩy | ≤ 1038 kN |
| Pull force | ≤ 536 kN |
| Nhiệt độ làm việc | −40–100 °C |
| Phạm vi khớp | 9–100 m aerial working machinery |
These values describe the verified product-family range. They do not mean that every maximum can be combined in one cylinder. Final feasibility depends on geometry, load direction, mounting, pressure, speed, stroke, duty cycle and operating environment.
Check Speed, Flow and Synchronization
Cylinder speed depends on hydraulic flow and effective area. Calculate extension and retraction speed after choosing the preliminary bore and rod. If multiple cylinders lift or level one structure, describe the synchronization method and allowable platform-level variation. Include acceleration, deceleration, heat generation and emergency-lowering behavior.
Load Holding and Machine Safety Inputs
Specify the hydraulic circuit, load-holding valves, mechanical maintenance supports and emergency procedures used by the complete machine. Cylinder selection is only one part of platform safety. The responsible equipment designer must validate stability, structural strength, controls and failure response for the finished machine.
OEM Sizing Workflow
- Define the platform type, cylinder function and governing load cases.
- Model the linkage and calculate cylinder force through the complete motion.
- Select a preliminary bore from force and available pressure.
- Select the rod from stress, buckling, fatigue and retraction checks.
- Set stroke and closed length from machine geometry and installation space.
- Check speed, flow, holding behavior, ports, mounts and thermal duty.
- Complete drawing review, prototype fit and machine-level validation.
Information to Send for Engineering Review
- Machine model, working height, rated load and cylinder function.
- Linkage drawing, pivot coordinates and load cases.
- Normal and peak pressure, hydraulic flow and fluid information.
- Required stroke, closed length, speed and cycle frequency.
- Mounts, pins, ports, hoses and installation envelope.
- Temperature, contamination and acceptance requirements.
Câu hỏi thường gặp
Can cylinder force be calculated from platform capacity alone?
No. The cylinder force depends on mechanism geometry, cylinder angle, load position and the most demanding point in the motion.
Is the longest available stroke the correct choice?
No. Stroke and closed length must match the actual movement and installation envelope. Excess travel does not replace a geometry review.
Can the published maximum values be combined?
Not automatically. The range describes manufacturing scope; engineering must confirm the specific combination.
Explore the broader Zhenqiang hydraulic cylinder program for related OEM applications.
Request an Aerial Platform Cylinder Sizing Review
Send the machine model, linkage drawing, loads, hydraulic data and duty cycle for an application-specific engineering review.
English 
Russian 
Spanish 
Arabic 
French 
Portuguese 
Vietnamese