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Why are they upsidedown??

Alaska Sunrise

Alaska Sunrise

Active Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2009
Messages
31
Location
canada
There's probably a really simple answer to this but I'll ask anyways. Why are the boom cylinders upside down on large excavators?:confused:
 
Chris5500

Chris5500

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2009
Messages
217
Location
Australia
Occupation
Plant Mechanic
Easier maintenance for example measuring cylinder drift (creeping) to compare with the specs, easier to reseal the flange bushing (Komatsu's only) since you won't need an EWP.

Extended chrome and seal life due to debris being unable to build up on the scraper ring.

Hose positioning is more ergonomical and as a result less friction is generated and thus less heat (which is an important factor)

You also get slightly more power due to the barrel being approximately 2.5 times lighter than the rod and as a result the mechanical advantage is increased and thus increasing the efficiency of the lever.

Also, just to clarify, by applying the same amount oil pressure to either side of the piston, the barrel end of the cylinder will have more kinetic energy than the rod side as the surface area of the piston is larger on the barrel end than that of the rod end. This is known as force multiplication.

Similarly, if the same flow rates are applied to either end of the cylinder (separately) the rod end of the cylinder will have greater actuation speed (retract) than that of the barrel end (extend) since the rod end has less volume.
 
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