What piece of information is needed to calculate the force that a hydraulic cylinder can exert?

To calculate the force that a hydraulic cylinder can exert, hydraulic pressure is the essential piece of information needed. The force exerted by a hydraulic cylinder is determined using the formula:

Force = Pressure × Area

In this formula, pressure is typically measured in pounds per square inch (psi), and the area is calculated based on the diameter of the piston in the hydraulic cylinder. By knowing the hydraulic pressure, you can effectively determine the force that the system can generate by applying this pressure to the area of the piston.

While other factors such as the diameter of the inlet pipe, piston stroke, and flow rate play significant roles in the overall functioning of the hydraulic system, they do not provide a direct measure of the force the cylinder can exert. The inlet pipe diameter may affect flow characteristics, the piston stroke impacts the distance traveled, and flow rate can determine how quickly the piston moves. However, none of these factors can replace the need for hydraulic pressure in calculating the force.