Standard Displacement Cylinders

Single Acting Hydraulic Cylinders

Flowfit supplies high-quality single acting hydraulic cylinders for industrial, agricultural, construction, commercial and mobile hydraulic applications. These cylinders are designed to provide hydraulic force in one direction, making them ideal for systems where lifting, pushing or extending is powered by hydraulic pressure and the return movement is handled by gravity, load weight or an external force.

Also known as displacement single acting cylinders, single acting hydraulic rams or standard single acting cylinders, this type of cylinder is a practical and reliable choice for a wide range of hydraulic systems. Their straightforward design makes them easy to install, maintain and operate in applications where powered movement is only required in one direction.

Designed for One-Way Hydraulic Force

A single acting hydraulic cylinder uses hydraulic pressure to move the piston or rod in one direction. Once the hydraulic pressure is released, the cylinder returns using the weight of the load, gravity or another external return method. This makes single acting cylinders well suited to lift-and-lower applications where controlled powered extension is required, but powered retraction is not necessary.

This simple operating principle makes standard single acting hydraulic cylinders a popular choice for equipment where reliability, cost-effectiveness and easy system integration are important.

Key Features

• Single acting operation: Provides hydraulic force in one direction, with return movement handled by gravity, load weight or external force.
• Displacement cylinder design: Also known as displacement single acting cylinders, these rams are suitable for straightforward hydraulic lifting and pushing applications.
• Simple and reliable: A practical choice for systems where powered movement is only needed in one direction.
• Strong hydraulic performance: Designed to deliver dependable force for lifting, pushing, raising and positioning tasks.
• Versatile applications: Suitable for agricultural, construction, industrial, commercial and mobile hydraulic equipment.
• Range of sizes: Available in a selection of bore sizes, stroke lengths and specifications to suit different hydraulic systems.

Common Applications

Flowfit single acting hydraulic cylinders are suitable for a wide range of applications where hydraulic force is required in one direction only. They are commonly used on equipment that needs to lift, push, raise or position a load before returning by gravity or load weight.

• Agricultural machinery: Used on trailers, attachments, loaders and other farm equipment requiring reliable hydraulic lifting or pushing force.
• Construction and plant equipment: Suitable for machinery that requires strong one-way hydraulic movement.
• Tipping trailers and bodies: Commonly used where hydraulic pressure lifts or tips the load and gravity returns the system.
• Industrial equipment: Used on presses, lifting systems, jacks and machinery requiring powered movement in one direction.
• Material handling systems: Suitable for raising, lowering, pushing or positioning loads in commercial and industrial environments.
• Mobile hydraulic systems: Ideal for vehicle-mounted equipment and mobile applications where compact, reliable hydraulic force is required.

Choosing the Right Single Acting Hydraulic Cylinder

When selecting a standard single acting hydraulic cylinder, it is important to consider the bore size, stroke length, closed length, mounting style, working pressure, port size and load requirements of your equipment. Choosing the correct specification helps ensure the cylinder can deliver the required force, movement and fitment for your hydraulic system.

If you are replacing an existing cylinder, checking the current cylinder’s measurements, mounting points and hydraulic connections is a good starting point. If you are building a new hydraulic system, Flowfit can help you identify the most suitable single acting cylinder for your application.

Technical Specifications & Downloads

Each product page includes downloadable PDF technical specifications for easy reference. Simply select the single acting cylinder you require and visit the download tab to view detailed product information, dimensions and technical data.

These downloads are useful when checking compatibility, confirming measurements or comparing different displacement single acting cylinder options before placing your order.

Flowfit Standard Single Acting Hydraulic Cylinders

Flowfit’s range of single acting hydraulic cylinders is carefully selected to offer reliable performance, straightforward operation and excellent value for money. Whether you refer to them as single acting cylinders, displacement single acting cylinders, standard single acting cylinders or single acting hydraulic rams, Flowfit can help you find the right product for your system.

If you are unsure which hydraulic cylinder is suitable for your application, our experienced team can help. Contact Flowfit on 01584 876 033 or email sales@flowfitonline.com for technical support and product advice.