What Are General Purpose Hydraulic Cylinders?

General Purpose Cylinders are multi-use hydraulic actuators designed to perform a wide range of tasks—lifting, pushing, pressing, pulling, or holding. Available in a variety of tonnages and stroke lengths, these cylinders are typically built from high-strength alloy steel and are rated for 10,000 psi (700 bar) operation.

Enerpac’s general-purpose lineup includes:

• Single-acting and double-acting versions

• Spring-return and load-return options

• Plunger-style and center-hole variants

• Models with base mounting holes, grooves, and thread options

These cylinders can be mounted vertically or horizontally and paired with a broad selection of pumps, hoses, and accessories.

Where and How Are They Used?

Enerpac General Purpose Cylinders are incredibly versatile and are used wherever controlled linear force is required:

• Lifting and lowering heavy equipment

• Aligning structural components

• Maintenance and repair of presses and jacks

• Construction site lifting and shoring

• Railroad car jacking and wheel replacement

• Manufacturing assembly and testing

They’re connected to a hydraulic pump—manual or powered—via high-pressure hoses and couplers. Because of their modular nature, you can switch configurations quickly to handle different tasks on the fly.

Common Accessories and Add-ons

To get the most from Enerpac General Purpose Cylinders, users often pair them with:

• Manual or electric hydraulic pumps

• High-pressure hoses with quick couplers

• Load saddles for protecting cylinder heads

• Tilt saddles to account for uneven loads

• Base plates and mounting brackets

• Control valves and manifolds for multi-cylinder systems

Thanks to Enerpac’s modular ecosystem, it’s easy to build a complete system around your cylinder, adapting it to nearly any challenge.

Industries in the USA That Use General Purpose Cylinders

From coast to coast, general-purpose cylinders are a staple in the following sectors:

• Construction & Civil Engineering – For bridge lifting, foundation support, and heavy lifting

• Industrial Maintenance – Machinery alignment, lift-and-shift operations, and part replacement

• Mining & Energy – Equipment maintenance and shaft realignment

• Transportation – Railcar repair, shipyard work, and aerospace maintenance

• Agriculture & Utilities – For lifting irrigation pumps, poles, and other infrastructure

The cylinder’s versatility makes it the most widely used hydraulic tool in the Enerpac catalog.

Why Choose Enerpac General Purpose Cylinders?

Enerpac has decades of experience developing high-performance hydraulic tools. Their general-purpose cylinders are built to exceed expectations:

• Hardened plunger and base for extended life

• Corrosion-resistant finish for outdoor applications

• Low-friction seals for smooth movement

• Built-in safety stops and over-stroke protection

• Precision-machined for tight tolerances and safety

Available in capacities from 5 to over 200 tons, there’s an Enerpac General Purpose Cylinder for every job, big or small.

Interesting Facts

• Many general-purpose cylinders are available in center-hole versions, allowing for pulling applications and tensioning.

• These cylinders are frequently rented by contractors for temporary lifts or emergency repair work.

• They’re ideal for building custom hydraulic systems, thanks to their compatibility with Enerpac’s full line of accessories and pumps.

• Models like the RC-Series have become industry benchmarks in reliability and ruggedness.

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