A hydraulic cylinder china hydraulic cylinder is a mechanical actuator used to supply unidirectional force through a unidirectional stroke. Hydraulic cylinders are used in almost every industry and so are available in a variety of configurations. The two primary types of hydraulic cylinders are Tie-rod and Welded. Each one of these cylinder types can have unique applications due to their designs. Tie-rod cylinders are usually set up in light to moderate duty applications and are generally designed to become repaired or re-packed if required. Welded cylinders are designed for most applications and are more technical in design but are generally more difficult to repair because of the welded style. Welded cylinders are usually a better solution because of their compact design so when a more robust style is important within an application.