Simplex RCD Series hydraulic cylinders are heavy-duty steel, double-acting center-hole cylinders designed for pulling, pushing, tensioning, positioning, testing, and industrial maintenance applications. Their hollow-plunger design allows a rod, cable, bolt, or tooling component to pass directly through the center of the cylinder while hydraulic force is applied around it.
Unlike single-acting center-hole cylinders that rely on a spring for retraction, RCD Series cylinders use hydraulic pressure for both extension and retraction. This provides positive control in both directions and makes the series well suited for demanding applications that require controlled cylinder movement or repeated operating cycles.
Double-Acting Center-Hole Design
The center opening allows Simplex RCD cylinders to perform both pushing and pulling operations along the same centerline as the load or tooling. This makes them particularly useful for applications involving threaded rods, cables, pins, shafts, fasteners, bushings, and other components that need to pass through the cylinder.
Typical applications include tensioning, pulling components from shafts, pressing parts into position, structural maintenance, equipment alignment, testing, and other industrial operations where a conventional solid-plunger cylinder cannot provide the required access.
Why Choose a Double-Acting Center-Hole Cylinder?
Double-acting operation uses hydraulic pressure on both sides of the piston. One hydraulic circuit advances the cylinder while the second provides powered retraction.
This provides several advantages in applications where cylinder movement must be controlled throughout the complete operating cycle. Powered return can provide faster retraction, positive piston movement, and greater control compared with a spring-return cylinder.
The RCD Series is therefore particularly useful where cylinders are cycled repeatedly or where the load, tooling, or installation conditions make spring-assisted retraction less desirable.
Built for Demanding Industrial Applications
Simplex RCD Series cylinders use steel construction for durability in heavy industrial environments. The cylinder design includes an induction-hardened piston rod for additional strength and corrosion-resistant surface treatments on critical components to help extend service life.
Because center-hole cylinders are frequently used in pulling and tensioning operations, always verify the complete cylinder dimensions, center-hole diameter, mounting requirements, and attachment method before selecting a model.
Choosing a Simplex RCD Series Cylinder
Start by determining the maximum pushing or pulling force required for the application. Select a cylinder with sufficient rated capacity, then determine the stroke needed to complete the operation.
Next, verify the center-hole diameter. Any rod, cable, bolt, or tooling passing through the cylinder must have adequate clearance throughout the complete operating cycle.
Also consider collapsed height, overall cylinder dimensions, available installation space, oil capacity, and hydraulic connection requirements.
Because RCD cylinders are double acting, the hydraulic system must support both advance and retract circuits. Confirm that the pump, control valve, hoses, couplers, gauge, and related hydraulic components are compatible with double-acting cylinder operation.
RCD vs. Other Simplex Center Hole Cylinders
- Simplex RC Series Cylinders use steel construction with single-acting, spring-return operation when powered hydraulic retraction is not required.
- Simplex RAC Series Cylinders provide a lighter-weight aluminum center-hole design with single-acting operation.
- Simplex RACD Series Cylinders combine lightweight aluminum construction with double-acting center-hole operation.
Return to Simplex Hydraulic Cylinders to compare all available Simplex cylinder series.
