High Tech Equipment
Get Ready for Unprecedented Levels of Performance
SMART cylinders are specifically designed for direct stroke measurement. By integrating a linear sensor into a cylinder, electronic feedback is provided indicating its stroke position and velocity. This data is used in many ways to increase equipment productivity and safety while reducing maintenance and downtime.
- Advanced suspension systems to reduce vibration and improve operator comfort
- Automatic steering controlled by GPS to ensure straight travel and ideal overlap
- Cultivator depth control capable of handling a rugged environment
- Auto-levelling tools and Return to position features

Designed and Manufactured to your Requirements
RHK’s sales and engineering team has extensive experience designing cylinders from a set of specifications or even a conceptual idea. Let us engineer a design to your specific application.

- Custom Bore Size, Stroke length and lifting capacity
- Custom Mounting Configuration
- Threaded/Bolted Gland
- Counterbalance, Pilot Operated Check Valves
- Porting options (ORB, NPT, C61) and location
- Custom Paint to your spec
SMART Cylinders: Position Sensing Benefits
SMART cylinders are specifically designed for direct stroke measurement. By integrating a linear sensor into a cylinder, electronic feedback is provided indicating its stroke position and velocity. This data is used in many ways to increase equipment productivity and safety while reducing maintenance and downtime.

Dynamic self-adjusting
A system can feed multiple inputs into a control mechanism and have a cylinder sensor react according to those inputs. A common example is a GPS signal used to augment steering. Pressure, speed and velocity can dynamically enable cylinder cushioning
Remote adjustability
The settings of a position sensing enabled cylinder can be adjusted and fine-tuned on the fly, and even remotely
Repeatability
Recurring operations can be programmed with high precision accuracy and repeatability to the sub-millimeter resulting in improved performance and reduced operator fatigue
Lockout/Safety
A system can be programmed to lockout a particular function. Common examples include limiting speed and preventing equipment mobility while outriggers are extended

Application Specific Design and Engineering
RHK is a leader in custom manufacturing of all types of hydraulic cylinders. We manufacture single or multi-stage cylinders, single or double acting. All products are engineered to meet safety, material strength, and load capacity guidelines. Additionally, all manufacturing processes are done in-house.
Our engineering and applications team will work closely with you, the customer to understand your specifications, requirements and applications. RHK will create designs, manufacture, inspect and deliver within the timeframe which ensures consistent high-quality cylinders to the marketplace. All cylinders are designed, built and tested as per API standards and follow ISO 9001:2015 standards.
Mounting Connections
Here is a list of typical mounting connections. For custom mounting options, get in touch!

Cross Tube

Clevis

Clevis – Threaded

Lug

Lug w/Spherical
Plane Bearing

Trunnion

Flange – Round

Flange – Square

Hole Thru

Threaded – Male

Threaded – Female

Radius
Position Sensing SMART Cylinders FAQs
What is a smart cylinder?
A “SMART” cylinder is a type of hydraulic or pneumatic actuator that incorporates a linear transducer (sensor) that can be mounted internally or externally. The sensor provides instantaneous feedback of position and velocity and can be outputted to various analog and digital formats.
What are the advantages of a position-sensing smart cylinder?
Through electro-hydraulic control, various equipment functions can be automated to improve overall performance and efficiency while reducing maintenance and downtime. Other benefits include repeatability, lockout and safety, dynamic self-adjustment, and remote adjustability.
Can a position sensor be added to an existing cylinder?
Yes, an external sensor can be added to most existing cylinders while an internal sensor can be installed if there is ample room for the sensor head in the endcap.
Read Related Blog Posts

Position Sensing SMART Cylinders: The Ultimate in Automation
Hydraulic and Pneumatic cylinders have become high tech. By incorporating position sensing (SMART) technology, mobile hydraulic and industrial applications are seeing major benefits in operations where productivity is everything.