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Tie Rod Cylinders

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Tie rod hydraulic cylinders clamp the head and cap to the barrel with high-tensile tie rods torqued to spec, which is what makes them straightforward to disassemble, reseal, and rebuild in the field rather than scrap. Common in presses, packaging lines, and industrial machinery, they ship in a range of bore and stroke combinations with NFPA-pattern mounting so a replacement can drop into the existing footprint. Running an obsolete or discontinued unit? Match it by bore, stroke, mount, and port, or send your specs for a cross-reference.

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How to Choose a Tie Rod Hydraulic Cylinder

Pull these numbers off the cylinder or the machine print before you order. On a tie rod design the head and cap unbolt, so most dimensions can be measured directly with the unit on the bench.

Bore: the barrel inside diameter, which sets the piston area and the push force at a given pressure.
Stroke: rod travel from fully retracted to fully extended.
Pin / mount: the mounting style and pattern (clevis, trunnion, flange, or NFPA tie-rod mount) plus pin diameter and width.
Rod diameter: the chrome rod size, which affects column strength and the annulus area on the retract side.
Port: thread type and size (SAE O-ring, NPT) and port position.
Action: double-acting (powered both directions) versus single-acting.
Working PSI: the rated operating pressure; confirm it meets or exceeds your system relief setting.

Which Cylinder Is Right for the Job?

Tie rod cylinders favor cleaner, lower-shock industrial duty where rebuildability matters and the bolt-together construction can be serviced in place. Where loads are heavier, the environment is dirtier, or shock is higher, a welded body is usually the better call. Compare against Welded Cylinders: Cross Tube for pin-eye machinery mounting, Welded Cylinders: Clevis Mount for general loader and implement work, or Welded Cylinders: Ag Clevis Mount for tractor and farm-implement fitment. If you only need to confirm direction of travel, most tie rod and welded units here are Double Acting Hydraulic Cylinders. Browse the full range of Hydraulic Cylinders to compare side by side.

Complete the System

A cylinder is one part of the circuit. Pair it with a Hydraulic Pumps sized for your flow and pressure, direct flow with a Hydraulic Valve rated for your GPM, and plumb it with Hydraulic Hoses and matching Fittings so port threads, working pressure, and burst rating line up end to end. Confirm hose ID against the cylinder ports and the pump output to avoid restriction.

Cross-Referencing an Obsolete Tie Rod Cylinder

Tie rod cylinders built to NFPA dimensions are largely interchangeable across manufacturers when bore, stroke, rod diameter, mount, and port all line up, which is why a discontinued unit can often be replaced without modifying the machine. If the nameplate is unreadable or the brand is no longer in production, measure the barrel, rod, and mounting and note the port thread. Northern Hydraulics has cross-referenced obsolete and hard-to-find hydraulic parts since 1963, so send what you have and we will match it. Request a cross-reference.

Tie Rod Cylinders – Frequently Asked Questions

What is a tie rod hydraulic cylinder?

It is a cylinder whose head and cap are held to the barrel by high-tensile tie rods torqued to spec, rather than welded. The bolt-together construction lets you disassemble the unit to replace seals and reseal it, which makes tie rod cylinders a common choice for serviceable industrial machinery.

How do I measure a tie rod cylinder for a replacement?

Record bore (barrel inside diameter), stroke (rod travel), rod diameter, mounting style and pin dimensions, and the port thread and size. With the unit on the bench you can measure most of these directly. If a number is unclear, send your dimensions and we will confirm fit.

What working pressure are tie rod cylinders rated for?

Rated working pressure varies by model and bore, so check the listing and the nameplate for the specific unit. Confirm the cylinder's rated PSI meets or exceeds your system relief valve setting before installing.

Tie rod or welded cylinder — which should I use?

Tie rod cylinders are typically chosen for cleaner industrial duty where in-field rebuilding matters, since the heads unbolt. For heavier loads, dirtier environments, or higher shock, a welded body usually holds up better; compare Welded Cylinders: Cross Tube for pin-eye mounting.

Are tie rod cylinders single-acting or double-acting?

Both exist, but most units listed here are Double Acting Hydraulic Cylinders, meaning fluid powers the rod in both extend and retract. Single-acting designs rely on load or a spring to return. Check the action field on each product before ordering.

Can a tie rod cylinder be rebuilt?

Yes. Because the head and cap unbolt from the barrel, you can disassemble the cylinder, inspect the bore and rod, and install a new seal kit, then reassemble and torque the tie rods to spec. This is a main reason tie rod designs are used where serviceability matters.

What components do I need to complete the circuit?

Beyond the cylinder, you will typically need a Hydraulic Pumps sized to your flow and pressure, a Hydraulic Valve to direct flow, and Hydraulic Hoses with matching Fittings. Match port threads and pressure ratings across every part.

My tie rod cylinder is obsolete — can you find a replacement?

Often, yes. Tie rod cylinders built to NFPA dimensions interchange across manufacturers when bore, stroke, rod diameter, mount, and port match. Send the dimensions and any nameplate data from your discontinued unit and we will cross-reference it. Request a quote.

Tie Rod Cylinders

Products

2.5 Bore x 24 Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder | Magister

TRCN3x8 ASAE 2500 PSI Double Acting Hydraulic Cylinder | Magister

Maxim 2″ Bore x 30″ Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder – Bailey

TRCN2x6 2″ Bore x 6″ Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder | Magister

2.5 Bore x 20 Stroke Double Acting Hydraulic Cylinder | Magister

TRCN2x8 ASAE Tie Rod Hydraulic Cylinder | Magister

Maxim 2″ Bore x 48″ Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder | Bailey

4″ Bore x 36″ Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder – Maxim Bailey

5″ Bore x 14″ Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder – Chief by Bailey

TRCN3x8 3 in Bore x 8 in Stroke Tie Rod Hydraulic Cylinder | Magister

4″ Bore x 48″ Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder – Maxim by Bailey

3″ Bore x 4″ Stroke Double Acting Hydraulic Cylinder | Magister

4″ Bore x 6″ Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder – Chief by Bailey

2.5″ Bore x 18″ Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder | Chief by Bailey

3.5 Bore x 36 Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder | Chief by Bailey

3″ Bore x 30″ Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder – Maxim Bailey

5″ Bore x 12″ Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder – Chief by Bailey

4 Bore x 10 Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder – Max Performance by Bailey

2inch Bore x 8 Stroke Double Acting Tie Rod Hydraulic Cylinder | Magister

4″ Bore x 10″ Stroke Double Acting Hydraulic Cylinder – Chief by Bailey

4″ Bore x 48″ Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder | Chief by Bailey

5″ Bore x 16″ Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder | Chief by Bailey

3″ Bore x 22″ Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder – Chief by Bailey

Chief 4″ Bore x 26″ Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder – 37690 Column Load

4″ Bore x 16″ Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder – Maxim by Bailey

3″ Bore x 20″ Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder | Maxim by Bailey

2.5″ Bore x 14″ Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder by Chief | Bailey

3 inch Bore x 12 inch Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder | Magister

2″ Bore x 4″ Stroke Tie Rod Hydraulic Cylinder | Magister

2″ Bore x 12″ Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder – Maxim by Bailey

TRCN2x16 Tie Rod Hydraulic Cylinder | Magister

4″ Bore x 18″ Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder – Maxim by Bailey

TRCN2.5×8 ASAE 2.5” Bore x 8” Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder | Magister

Maxim 2″ Bore x 16″ Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder – Heavy Duty Performance

2.5" Bore x 18" Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder | Magister

4″ Bore x 40″ Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder – Maxim Powered by Bailey

3″ Bore x 4″ Stroke Tie Rod Hydraulic Cylinder | Magister

3 in Bore x 10 in stroke hydraulic cylinder | Magister

3.5 Bore x 16 Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder – Maxim by Bailey

2.5 Bore x 28 Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder – Chief by Bailey

2.5″ Bore x 48″ Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder – Chief by Bailey

5″ Bore x 4″ Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder – Chief by Bailey

4″ Bore x 24″ Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder – Chief by Bailey

2.5″ Bore x 8″ Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder | Maxim by Bailey

2.5 Bore x 6 Stroke Tie Rod Hydraulic Cylinder | Magister

3″ Bore x 4″ Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder – Chief by Bailey

2.5 Bore x 10 Stroke Hydraulic Cylinder | Magister

TRCN2x18 Tie Rod Hydraulic Cylinder 2500 PSI | Magister

How to Choose a Tie Rod Hydraulic Cylinder

Which Cylinder Is Right for the Job?

Complete the System

Cross-Referencing an Obsolete Tie Rod Cylinder

Tie Rod Cylinders – Frequently Asked Questions

How to Rebuild a Hydraulic Cylinder: Repair Steps

How to Pick Mounting Style for Your Hydraulic Cylinder

Rod Scoring in Hydraulic Cylinders: Prevention, Diagnosis, Repair

Seal Failure Explained: Top 5 Reasons Hydraulic Cylinders Leak

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Rod Scoring in Hydraulic Cylinders: Prevention, Diagnosis, Repair

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