Pull Cylinders

A pull cylinder is a single-acting, spring-return hydraulic cylinder built specifically for pulling and tensioning loads rather than pushing them. We stock pull cylinders rated from a few tons up to 60 tons, used for cable and bar tensioning, rigging, structural steel work, and heavy equipment maintenance. Hydraulic fluid enters on the rod side of the piston, drawing the plunger inward to pull the load, while an internal spring automatically retracts the plunger once pump pressure is released.

Pulling a heavy load without a purpose-built pull cylinder usually means jury-rigging a push cylinder with a turnbuckle or chain, an approach that’s slower and harder on the equipment. A dedicated pull cylinder replaces that setup with direct, non-twisting force applied exactly where needed, whether tensioning a cable, drawing a bearing off a shaft, or stressing a structural bar into position. Base, collar, and plunger threads on many models accept chains, saddles, and extension tubes.

How Pull Cylinders Work

Hydraulic fluid pumped into the cylinder acts on the rod side of the piston, pulling the plunger and attached load inward rather than extending it outward like a standard push cylinder. Because these are single-acting cylinders, an internal spring does the work of retracting the plunger once the pump releases pressure, no second hydraulic line or double-acting pump required. Threaded connections at the base, collar, and plunger let you attach chains, saddles, or extension tubes to match the specific pulling job.

Types of Pull Cylinders

Standard threaded pull cylinders include base, collar, and plunger threads for attaching chains, saddles, and extension tubes, suited to general cable and bar tensioning work. Heavy-capacity pull cylinders scale up to 60 tons with replaceable links or lugs, built for the heaviest structural and rigging applications. Hollow ram and hook-jaw pullers combine a pull cylinder with a hollow piston or self-centering jaws, purpose-built for drawing bearings, gears, and pulleys off a shaft without damaging the surrounding housing.

Common Applications

• Cable and bar tensioning in structural work
• Rigging and heavy equipment maintenance
• Bearing, gear, and pulley removal
• Wind turbine installation and sea fastening

Choosing the Right Pull Cylinder

Match tonnage capacity to your load with margin to spare, and check stroke length against how far you need to draw the load. Confirm the thread type at the base, collar, and plunger matches the attachments you plan to use, and check for ASME B30.1 compliance if your industry requires it. Every pull cylinder we carry is backed by manufacturer warranty support, and our team can help match capacity, stroke, and attachment threads to your specific pulling job.

Not sure which pull cylinder fits your job? Contact our team — we can match tonnage, stroke, and thread type to your application.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a pull cylinder and a push cylinder?

A pull cylinder draws the plunger inward to pull a load toward it, while a standard push cylinder extends the plunger outward to push a load away; using the wrong type usually means an improvised, less secure setup.

How does a pull cylinder return to its starting position?

Most pull cylinders are single-acting with a spring return, meaning an internal spring automatically retracts the plunger once hydraulic pressure from the pump is released, no second hydraulic line needed.

What tonnage capacity do I need?

Capacity should exceed your actual load with a safety margin, and for bearing or shaft-mounted part removal, a common guideline is selecting a puller rated at roughly 0.28 to 0.4 times the shaft diameter.

Are pull cylinders rated for lifting as well as pulling?

Not typically; pull cylinders are designed for tensioning and pulling loads along a line of action, and lifting applications generally call for a dedicated hydraulic jack or lifting cylinder instead.