Enerpac single-acting hydraulic cylinders provide hydraulic force in one direction, with the return movement supplied by a spring, the weight of the load, or another external force depending on the cylinder design. Their relatively simple hydraulic circuit makes single-acting cylinders a common choice for industrial lifting, pushing, positioning, maintenance, construction, and field-service applications.
This collection includes Enerpac single-acting cylinders in general-purpose, low-height, high-tonnage, hollow-plunger, aluminum, lock nut, telescoping, and pull-cylinder configurations. Use the available specifications to compare capacity, stroke, collapsed height, return method, material, and cylinder design.
How Single-Acting Hydraulic Cylinders Work
A single-acting cylinder uses hydraulic pressure to create force in one direction. After hydraulic pressure is released, the piston returns by another method rather than hydraulic pressure acting on the opposite side of the piston.
Enerpac single-acting cylinders primarily use two return methods:
- Spring Return: An internal spring assists with returning the piston after hydraulic pressure is released. Spring-return cylinders are commonly used for general lifting, maintenance, pushing, positioning, and other applications requiring convenient retraction.
- Load Return: The weight of the load or another external force returns the piston after hydraulic pressure is released. Load-return designs are common in high-capacity, low-height, telescoping, and other specialized lifting cylinders.
Types of Enerpac Single-Acting Cylinders
General Purpose Hydraulic Cylinders
Enerpac RC Series cylinders provide single-acting, spring-return operation for everyday lifting, pushing, positioning, maintenance, and industrial applications.
Low Height Hydraulic Cylinders
Low-height, pancake, and ultra-flat single-acting cylinders provide substantial lifting force where available starting clearance is limited. Available designs include RSM, RCS, CULP, CUSP, RLT, and LPL configurations.
High Tonnage Hydraulic Cylinders
Single-acting high-tonnage cylinders such as HCG and HCL Series models provide heavy lifting capacity for construction, infrastructure, maintenance, and industrial positioning applications.
Hollow Plunger Hydraulic Cylinders
Single-acting hollow-plunger cylinders such as RCH and RACH Series models allow rods, cables, bolts, or tooling to pass through the center of the cylinder for pushing, pulling, tensioning, and testing applications.
Aluminum Hydraulic Cylinders
Enerpac RAC, RACL, and RACH Series cylinders combine single-acting operation with lightweight aluminum construction for applications where reduced tool weight and easier handling are important.
Lock Nut Hydraulic Cylinders
Single-acting lock nut cylinders provide hydraulic lifting force along with mechanical load holding. They are useful when a raised load must remain supported after the lifting operation.
Telescoping Hydraulic Cylinders
Enerpac RT Series telescoping cylinders use multiple stages to provide increased stroke from a compact collapsed height, making them useful where greater travel is required but available starting space is limited.
Hydraulic Pull Cylinders
Single-acting pull cylinders provide controlled hydraulic pulling force for positioning, alignment, tensioning, and maintenance applications.
Choosing a Single-Acting Hydraulic Cylinder
Start with the maximum force required for the application and select a cylinder with sufficient rated capacity. Next, determine the required stroke and available collapsed height so the cylinder both fits the application and provides enough travel.
Return method is another important consideration. Spring-return cylinders provide assisted retraction and are convenient for many general-purpose applications. Load-return cylinders rely on the load or another external force to retract and are often used in heavy-lifting or specialized cylinder designs.
Also consider cylinder material, plunger configuration, mounting requirements, available clearance, and whether the application requires features such as a hollow plunger, mechanical lock nut, low-profile construction, or lightweight aluminum body.
Finally, verify that the hydraulic pump, valve, hose, couplers, gauge, and other system components are compatible with the cylinder's operating pressure and required oil volume.
Single-Acting vs. Double-Acting Hydraulic Cylinders
Single-acting cylinders require hydraulic pressure in only one direction, which generally allows for a simpler hydraulic circuit. They are widely used when powered movement is primarily required in one direction and spring, gravity, or load return is sufficient for the return stroke.
Double-acting hydraulic cylinders use hydraulic pressure in both directions. They are generally preferred when the application requires positive hydraulic control of both extension and retraction, faster powered return, or repeated cycling.
Return to our complete Enerpac Hydraulic Cylinders collection to compare all available cylinder types.
