Frequently Asked Questions

Hengshui manufactures a comprehensive range of hydraulic cylinders including single-acting, double-acting, telescopic (single and multi-stage), tie-rod, welded, and mill-type cylinders. Our product range covers bore sizes from 25 mm to 500 mm and stroke lengths from 50 mm to 5,000 mm. We produce cylinders for construction machinery (excavators, cranes, dump trucks), agricultural equipment, marine and offshore applications, mining machinery, industrial presses, and bespoke OEM applications. All standard catalogue cylinders are held in stock for rapid dispatch, while custom cylinders are manufactured to order.

Our standard production range covers bore diameters from 25 mm to 500 mm and stroke lengths from 50 mm up to 5,000 mm in a single-stage design. Multi-stage telescopic cylinders allow for significantly longer total extension relative to the retracted length. For bore sizes or stroke lengths outside these ranges, please contact our engineering team — we regularly produce custom cylinders to specification and can discuss feasibility for unusual dimensions. Our deep-hole drilling equipment is capable of producing bores in material up to 5,000 mm in length in a single pass, which is a significant capability advantage compared to many smaller manufacturers.

Our standard cylinders are designed and tested for working pressures up to 350 bar. For demanding applications such as offshore equipment, industrial presses, or mining machinery, we manufacture high-pressure cylinders rated up to 500 bar. Every cylinder is tested at 1.5 times its rated working pressure during the final inspection stage, with test results automatically logged and available as documentation. If your application requires specific pressure ratings not listed in our catalogue, our engineering team will perform a design review and propose a suitable solution. We recommend customers always state their maximum system pressure — including any potential pressure spikes — when submitting enquiries.

We offer seals in four main compound families: NBR (BUNA-N) for standard mineral oil hydraulic systems, operating at –20°C to +100°C; FKM (Viton) for high-temperature or aggressive fluid applications, rated to +150°C and resistant to many synthetic fluids; Polyurethane (PU) for high-extrusion resistance in high-pressure, low-temperature, or high-cycle applications; and PTFE composite seals for very high-speed rods or chemically aggressive environments. The correct seal choice depends on operating temperature, fluid type, working pressure, and duty cycle. If you are uncertain, provide us with your system parameters and our engineers will recommend the optimal seal specification.

Yes. We supply cylinders specified and sealed for use with HF-type water-based fluids (HFA emulsions, HFB invert emulsions, HFC water-glycol, HFD synthetic esters), biodegradable fluids (HEES synthetic esters, HETG vegetable oil-based), and phosphate ester fire-resistant fluids. These applications typically require specific seal compounds (FKM or PTFE composite), stainless steel components in the fluid path, and particular internal surface finishes. Please specify your fluid type at the enquiry stage so our engineering team can ensure the correct specification is applied throughout the design.

To provide an accurate quotation for a custom hydraulic cylinder, we need the following information: bore diameter and rod diameter (or rod-to-bore ratio); stroke length; working pressure and test pressure; mounting style (clevis, flange, trunnion, foot mount, etc.); port type, size, and location (SAE, BSP, NPT, metric); seal specification or operating fluid type; surface treatment for the rod (hard chrome is standard); any special painting or corrosion protection requirements; required material specifications or certifications (e.g., EN 10204 3.1 material certs); required quantity and required delivery timeframe. If you have engineering drawings (DXF, DWG, STEP, IGES, or PDF), please attach them — this is the fastest route to an accurate quotation.

Lead times for custom cylinders depend on complexity and order volume. Prototypes (1–5 units) typically require 15–25 working days from drawing approval. Small production batches (10–100 units) generally take 25–40 working days. Larger production orders (500+ units) are scheduled individually based on current production loading, and we will confirm a firm delivery date at order placement. If you have a critical deadline, please communicate this at the enquiry stage — we often have capacity to expedite orders and will always discuss options transparently. Lead times quoted begin from the date of confirmed order and approved drawings.

Yes — we strongly recommend a prototype phase for all new OEM projects, and we are set up to run prototype quantities as small as one unit. Prototype units are manufactured using the same processes, materials, and equipment as production parts, so they are fully representative for your testing and validation. Prototypes are priced at a higher unit cost than bulk production (reflecting the setup and short-run tooling costs) but save considerable time and money by catching design issues before a full production commitment. Once your prototype is approved and you confirm the production order, we can typically offer a credit toward prototype tooling costs.

Yes, absolutely. We understand that engineering drawings and product specifications represent significant IP investment by our customers. Before any technical exchange, we are happy to sign your standard NDA or to provide our own. Customer confidential information is accessible only to the engineering staff directly involved in your project, stored on restricted-access servers, and never shared with third parties. This is a non-negotiable principle of how we operate, and we have maintained this standard with OEM customers across 30+ countries for over 20 years.

You can request a quotation through several channels: via the contact form on this website; by emailing sales@wx-hxy.com with your product requirements attached; or via WhatsApp at +86 133 8224 8877 for a faster initial response. To receive an accurate quotation, please include as much technical detail as possible (see the OEM FAQ above for a full list of required parameters). For standard catalogue cylinders, quotes are typically returned within 4–8 business hours. For custom cylinders, please allow 1–3 business days while our engineering team reviews the requirements.

For new customers, our standard payment terms are 30% T/T (bank transfer) deposit before production commences, with the balance of 70% paid against a copy of the Bill of Lading before shipment. For established repeat customers, we may offer extended terms including 30% deposit with the balance against documents, or in some cases open account terms based on order history and credit assessment. We accept payment in USD, EUR, and CNY. We do not currently accept credit card payments for B2B export orders. Letter of Credit (L/C) is accepted for orders above USD 20,000 — please contact us to discuss L/C terms and document requirements.

For standard catalogue cylinders, our minimum order quantity is typically 10 units per model. For some common sizes, we can supply as few as 1–5 units from stock, but please confirm availability at the enquiry stage. For custom OEM cylinders, prototype quantities start from 1 unit, and production MOQs are typically 20–50 units depending on the complexity of the tooling and setup involved. There is no minimum order value threshold for repeat customers with established accounts. If your initial requirement is a small sample quantity, please be upfront about your intended volume — we price samples accordingly and are always willing to build toward a long-term supply relationship.

Yes. Wuxi Hengshui Machinery Co., Ltd. holds ISO 9001:2015 certification for the design, manufacture, and supply of hydraulic cylinders. Our quality management system covers all production stages from raw material incoming inspection through to finished product testing and shipment. The ISO 9001:2015 standard was a significant upgrade from the previous 2008 version, incorporating risk-based thinking and a stronger focus on customer satisfaction monitoring. Our certification is maintained through annual surveillance audits by an accredited third-party certification body. Copies of our current ISO certificate are available on request.

Yes. We regularly work with third-party inspection bodies including SGS, Bureau Veritas (BV), Intertek, and TÜV-affiliated surveyors. For specific product certifications (e.g., BV marine certificates), the inspection and certification fees are quoted separately and invoiced to the customer directly or added to the order value. We can also accommodate buyer-nominated third-party inspectors who wish to witness production and testing at our Wuxi factory. Please specify your inspection requirements at the quotation stage so we can factor in the scheduling and documentation requirements. We have an established relationship with the major international inspection agencies and can typically accommodate inspection requests within our normal production schedule.

Standard documentation included with every export order: packing list; commercial invoice; material test certificates (mill certificates) for cylinder tube and rod material; dimensional inspection report confirming key dimensions against drawing; hydrostatic pressure test report with test pressure, hold time, and result; surface treatment certificate (hard chrome plating thickness, etc.). On request, we can additionally provide: EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 material certificates; SGS or BV third-party inspection certificates; MSDS for any coatings or treatments; weld inspection records; and photograph documentation of the assembly and testing process. All quality records are archived at Hengshui for ten years.

Quality is controlled at four key stages throughout our production process. First, at incoming inspection: all raw materials are chemically analysed and dimensionally verified before entering production. Second, at in-process inspection: dedicated QC personnel perform dimensional checks at each machining stage using calibrated CMM equipment, bore gauges, and surface profilometers. Third, at pre-assembly inspection: all components, including purchased seals, rod eyes, and end caps, are verified against drawing requirements before entering the assembly bay. Fourth, at final testing: every completed cylinder undergoes a full cycle test and a hydrostatic pressure test at 1.5× rated working pressure, with all readings automatically recorded. A random sample from each batch is independently audited by our QA department.

We ship primarily from Shanghai Port and Tianjin Port, both of which have excellent connectivity to all major global destinations. Shanghai Port is our preferred option for most orders due to its frequency of sailings and competitive freight rates. For urgent small shipments or air freight, we use Shanghai Pudong International Airport. We support all major Incoterms 2020: EXW (Ex Works, Wuxi factory), FOB (Free on Board, Shanghai or Tianjin), CIF (Cost Insurance and Freight, to named destination port), and CPT/CIP. For customers who prefer to use their own freight forwarder, we provide all necessary export documentation and coordinate closely with your nominated agent. We do not currently offer DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) service.

Transit times vary significantly by destination: Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines): 5–12 days by sea. Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar): 14–22 days by sea. Europe (Germany, Netherlands, Poland, UK): 28–38 days by sea. Africa (Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa): 20–35 days by sea depending on port. North America (USA East Coast, Canada): 25–32 days by sea via transpacific routes. South America (Brazil, Chile, Argentina): 28–42 days. Air freight to any destination is typically 3–7 days door to door. All transit times are estimated and subject to carrier scheduling, port congestion, and customs processing at the destination. We provide tracking information and notify customers of any delays proactively.

All cylinders are packed to ISPM 15-compliant fumigated wooden crates or plywood cases suitable for export by sea or air. Each cylinder is individually wrapped in VCI (Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor) film to prevent rust during transit. Rod ends and port openings are protected with plastic plugs and caps. For multiple cylinders in one crate, cylinders are secured with timber battens and steel strapping to prevent movement. Packing marks (gross weight, dimensions, consignee name, port of discharge, number of crates) are stencilled on all four sides of each crate. For fragile or very large cylinders, we use custom-fabricated steel cradles inside the crate. Customers with specific packing requirements (e.g., for container stuffing, breakbulk, or airfreight) should specify this at the order stage.

Hengshui provides a standard warranty of 12 months from the date of delivery, covering manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship under normal operating conditions consistent with the cylinder's rated specifications. The warranty covers repair or replacement of defective cylinders at our option, excluding freight costs for return and re-delivery. The warranty does not cover damage arising from incorrect installation, operation outside rated parameters (over-pressure, over-temperature, excessive side loading), use of incompatible hydraulic fluids, or normal wear items such as seals and rod surface finish. For OEM customers with high-volume orders, we can discuss extended warranty terms and service level agreements as part of the supply contract negotiation.

If you experience a performance issue with a Hengshui cylinder, please contact our after-sales team at sales@wx-hxy.com with the following information: your original order number or cylinder serial number (stamped on the nameplate); a clear description of the failure mode (e.g., external leak at rod seal, internal bypass, deformation); photographs or video of the cylinder in situ and of the failure area; operating conditions at time of failure (pressure, fluid, temperature, duty cycle); installation date and approximate hours of operation. Our team will respond within 48 hours with a root cause assessment. Depending on the failure mode, we may request the cylinder be returned for inspection — return freight for warranty claims is typically shared 50/50 between Hengshui and the customer.

Yes. For all cylinders we manufacture, we can supply complete seal kits comprising all dynamic and static seals required for a full cylinder overhaul. Seal kits are identified by cylinder serial number or our internal model code. We recommend customers who are ordering cylinders for critical applications also order one or two seal kits as insurance spares at the time of the main order — this avoids delays if a seal replacement is needed in the field. Replacement parts including piston rods, end caps, pistons, and port fittings can also be ordered. Please note that seal kits for cylinders manufactured more than 10 years ago may require a drawing review before we can confirm compatibility, as our seal supplier portfolio evolves over time.

Our after-sales engineering team is available to provide technical guidance on cylinder installation, system integration, and commissioning via email and WhatsApp. We can review your installation drawings, advise on mounting tolerances and alignment requirements, confirm correct hydraulic circuit design (flow rate, pressure settings, counterbalance valve requirements), and assist with troubleshooting if commissioning does not go as expected. For major OEM customers with complex applications, on-site technical support visits to your facility or project site can be arranged — please contact your account manager to discuss scope and cost. We also provide installation and maintenance instructions with every cylinder order.