A bridge lift with only a few inches of clearance needs a very different cylinder than a post-tensioning job with a rod running through the center. On other projects, the challenge is keeping several lift points moving together. Winshaw builds the setup around those job conditions rather than treating every heavy lift the same way.
Mechanically Locking Cylinders: HFG and HFL
HFG and HFL cylinders use a threaded locking ring around the piston. Once the cylinder reaches the required height, the locking ring can be run down against the cylinder body to mechanically hold that position.
That feature is useful on staged lifts or other jobs where the load needs to remain supported even if hydraulic pressure is removed.
Two examples are:
HFL2502: 287-ton capacity with a 2″ stroke for jobs where vertical clearance is tight.
HFG2506: 282-ton capacity with a 6″ stroke.
Quick selection checklist
Hollow and Aluminum Cylinders: HHS606 and HHA504
A hollow cylinder gives the job something a solid ram cannot: a path straight through the center.
The HHS606, for example, has a 67-ton capacity, a 6″ stroke, and a 2.17″ center hole. That opening makes it useful for post-tensioning work where a rod or other hardware needs to pass through the cylinder.
When the cylinder will be carried or repositioned repeatedly, weight may become just as important as capacity. Aluminum hollow cylinders such as the HHA504 provide another option for those jobs.
For more on aluminum models, see Read: Advantages of Aluminum Hydraulic Cylinders.
Synchronous Lifting Systems: SLF and SLV
On a multi-point lift, one cylinder moving ahead of the others can put the entire setup out of level.
Winshaw’s SLF and SLV synchronous lifting systems are designed to control multiple cylinders together and can operate as many as 32 single-acting or double-acting cylinders at once.
That gives the crew a way to coordinate cylinder movement when the load is not distributed evenly across every lifting point.
Quick Selection Checklist
- Start with the required load at each lifting point, not just the total weight of the structure.
- Check the stroke needed at the cylinder and the vertical space available around it.
- Use a mechanically locking cylinder when the lift has to remain supported without relying only on hydraulic pressure.
- Choose a hollow cylinder when a rod, tendon, or other hardware needs to pass through the ram.
- Account for cylinder weight when crews will be carrying or repositioning the equipment by hand.
- Match pump and manifold capacity to the cylinders being used and the lift speed required.
- For multi-point lifts that need to stay level, consider a synchronous control system.
Choosing the Right System for the Project
A cylinder can have enough tonnage and still be wrong for the job.
A 6″ stroke does not help if the cylinder will not fit under the structure at its closed height. A low-profile ram may fit perfectly but fall short if the job needs more travel. On a post-tensioning application, the center opening may matter more than either one.
The pump, hoses, manifold, and control system also have to fit the job rather than being treated as separate pieces.
For more on manifold selection, see Related: Hydraulic Manifolds — How to choose a design and where to buy them.
Applications and Common Uses
- Jacking bridge sections for alignment or repair work.
- Installing and maintaining wind towers.
- Post-tensioning concrete with rods or tendons running through the setup.
- Staged heavy lifts where the load needs to stay supported after hydraulic pressure is removed.
Safety and On-Site Considerations
The lifting points need to be understood before the cylinders are pressurized.
Check the load at each point, make sure the cylinder is sitting squarely on a suitable support surface, and keep hoses protected from sharp edges, traffic, and pinch points.
On a synchronized lift, cylinder travel also needs to be watched throughout the operation. A system designed to coordinate several cylinders still depends on the cylinders, manifolds, hoses, and controls being set up correctly.
Mechanically locking cylinders add another layer of support during staged work because the locking ring can hold the piston mechanically once the desired height is reached.
On-Site Maintenance and Inspection Checklist
- Look over the cylinder body and rod for dents, scoring, heavy corrosion, or other visible damage.
- Replace hoses that show abrasion, bulging, cuts, or leakage.
- Keep ports clean before connecting hoses or manifolds.
- Check fittings and manifold connections using the manufacturer’s installation requirements.
- Verify that valves and controls are set for the intended lift before pressurizing the system.
- On synchronous systems, make sure the control setup matches the cylinders being used.
- With locking cylinders, confirm operators know how to run the locking ring down and release it correctly during the lift sequence.
How Winshaw Supports Construction Projects
Winshaw can put together the cylinder, pump, manifold, hose, and control setup around the actual job instead of starting with a cylinder model and working backward.
For a site-specific recommendation, send Winshaw the load at each lift point, how much stroke is needed, and the clearance around the work area. Include the number of cylinders in the setup and anything that could limit how the equipment is moved or positioned.
For wind tower work, see Related: Hydraulic cylinders in Wind Tower installations and maintenance.
Winshaw supplies hydraulic cylinders for construction jobs that involve heavy lifting, post-tensioning, limited-clearance work, and synchronized multi-point movement. Options include mechanically locking cylinders, hollow and aluminum models, and SLF/SLV synchronous systems paired with the pumps and manifolds needed for the application.