{"id":2209,"date":"2026-06-23T08:52:40","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T08:52:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hydrauliccylindersprice.com\/?post_type=product&p=2209"},"modified":"2026-06-23T08:52:40","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T08:52:40","slug":"forklift-short-lifting-hydraulic-cylinder-free-lift-cylinder-with-integrated-check-valve-and-sprocket-system","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/hydrauliccylindersprice.com\/ar\/product\/forklift-short-lifting-hydraulic-cylinder-free-lift-cylinder-with-integrated-check-valve-and-sprocket-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Forklift Short Lifting Hydraulic Cylinder \u2014 Free-Lift Cylinder with Integrated Check Valve and Sprocket System"},"content":{"rendered":"
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<\/p>\n

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\n
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Free-Lift Cylinder \u00b7 Integrated Check Valve \u00b7 Sprocket System<\/div>\n

Forklift Short Lifting Hydraulic Cylinder<\/h2>\n

The short lifting cylinder exists for one reason: container entry. A standard shipping container has an internal door opening height of 2,280 mm. A 3-tonne forklift mast at full collapse stands approximately 2,100 mm tall \u2014 just barely clearing the container opening. Without a free-lift mechanism, the forks cannot rise above the collapsed mast height without extending the mast itself, which would hit the container roof. The short lifting cylinder provides this free-lift travel \u2014 775 to 800 mm of fork rise inside the collapsed mast \u2014 using an integrated chain-and-sprocket system that multiplies the cylinder stroke into carriage travel without raising the mast.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\u03a675\u201395<\/div>\n
Bore Range (mm)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
775\u2013800<\/div>\n
Stroke (mm)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
18.1<\/div>\n
MPa Working<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
27<\/div>\n
Components<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
36\u201354<\/div>\n
Weight (kg)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

What Is Free Lift \u2014 And Why It Needs a Dedicated Cylinder<\/h2>\n

Free lift is fork travel that occurs without any increase in the overall mast height. On a two-stage (simplex) mast, every millimetre of fork rise extends the mast by approximately the same amount \u2014 there is no free lift at all. On a three-stage (triplex) mast with a short lifting cylinder, the forks can rise through the full free-lift stroke before the mast begins to extend. This free-lift capability is what allows the forklift to raise loads inside height-restricted environments \u2014 shipping containers, low-ceiling warehouses, between-deck vehicle transport holds, and freezer tunnels.<\/p>\n

The short lifting cylinder achieves this by operating independently of the main lifting cylinder during the first phase of the lift stroke. Hydraulic oil flows first to the short cylinder (controlled by a sequencing valve or a flow divider), extending it through its 775\u2013800 mm stroke. During this phase, the chain wrapped around the sprocket on top of the cylinder translates the piston rod extension into carriage movement \u2014 typically at a 2:1 ratio (for every 1 mm of rod extension, the carriage rises 2 mm). Once the short cylinder reaches full extension, the sequencing valve redirects flow to the main lifting cylinder, and the mast begins extending in the normal manner.<\/p>\n

\"Korea<\/p>\n

The chain-and-sprocket system is integral to this cylinder. <\/strong>
\nUnlike the main lift cylinder (which connects to the mast chain at a separate anchor point), the short lifting cylinder has a built-in sprocket seat and sprocket cover at the top of the piston rod. The lift chain wraps over this sprocket, converting the linear rod extension into carriage lift. This integrated design eliminates the external sheave bracket that would otherwise be needed, reducing the parts count and the potential failure points in the free-lift system.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

<\/p>\n

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Dimensional Specifications \u2014 5 Short Lift Cylinder Models<\/h2>\n

Five models in two mounting configurations cover triplex mast forklifts from 2.5 to 5 tonnes. All models share the same M22\u00d71.5 metric hydraulic port and 18.1 MPa working pressure. The bore-to-rod area ratio across all models is notably lower than standard lift cylinders \u2014 producing higher annular area for improved load-holding stability during free lift.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Configuration A \u2014 800 mm Stroke, 1,065 mm Installation Distance<\/p>\n

\"Short\"Short<\/div>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Drawing Number<\/th>\nBore (D)<\/th>\nRod (d)<\/th>\nStroke (S)<\/th>\nInstall Dist (L)<\/th>\nPressure<\/th>\nPorts (M)<\/th>\nWeight<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
RC25N480-800000-000A<\/td>\n\u03a675<\/td>\n\u03a660<\/td>\n800<\/td>\n1065<\/td>\n18.1 MPa<\/td>\nM22\u00d71.5<\/td>\n36 kg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
X35N480-800000-001A<\/td>\n\u03a695<\/td>\n\u03a680<\/td>\n800<\/td>\n1065<\/td>\n18.1 MPa<\/td>\nM22\u00d71.5<\/td>\n48.7 kg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Configuration B \u2014 775\u2013777 mm Stroke, 1,013\u20131,015 mm Installation Distance<\/p>\n

\"Short\"Short<\/div>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Drawing Number<\/th>\nBore (D)<\/th>\nRod (d)<\/th>\nStroke (S)<\/th>\nInstall Dist (L)<\/th>\nPressure<\/th>\nPorts (M)<\/th>\nWeight<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
N30N450-800000-002A<\/td>\n\u03a685<\/td>\n\u03a670<\/td>\n777<\/td>\n1015<\/td>\n18.1 MPa<\/td>\nM22\u00d71.5<\/td>\n45.5 kg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3U3H-800000-001A<\/td>\n\u03a685<\/td>\n\u03a670<\/td>\n777<\/td>\n1015<\/td>\n18.1 MPa<\/td>\nM22\u00d71.5<\/td>\n45.5 kg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
N35N450-800000-003A<\/td>\n\u03a695<\/td>\n\u03a680<\/td>\n775<\/td>\n1013<\/td>\n18.1 MPa<\/td>\nM22\u00d71.5<\/td>\n54 kg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Models N30N450 and 3U3H share identical bore, rod, stroke, and installation dimensions but have different mounting bracket configurations for different forklift OEM platforms. Always cross-reference by the complete drawing number, not by bore\/stroke alone. All ports M22\u00d71.5 metric.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

<\/p>\n

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Integrated Check Valve \u2014 The Load-Holding Safety System<\/h2>\n

Unlike the main lift cylinder (which relies on an external check valve in the hydraulic circuit), the short lifting cylinder integrates the check valve directly into the cylinder body. This design eliminates the external hose run between the cylinder port and a remote check valve \u2014 removing a potential leak point and a potential failure point from the free-lift safety chain.<\/p>\n

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What It Does<\/strong><\/p>\n

The check valve allows oil to flow freely into the cylinder (lift direction) but blocks oil from flowing out (lower direction) unless the flow path is opened by the directional control valve. If a hose upstream of the cylinder fails while the forks are raised in the free-lift zone, the check valve traps the oil inside the cylinder and the forks hold position. The load cannot descend until the operator deliberately activates the lowering control.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Why It Matters More for Free Lift<\/strong><\/p>\n

During free lift, the forklift is typically inside a confined space \u2014 a shipping container, a vehicle hold, or a low-ceiling area. An uncontrolled fork descent in these environments is more dangerous than in open warehouse space because the operator has limited escape routes and the load may strike the container ceiling or doorframe on the way down. The integrated check valve provides immediate, zero-delay load holding with no reliance on external components.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Integrated oil pipe: <\/strong>
\nThe oil pipe built into the cylinder assembly routes hydraulic fluid from the check valve through an internal passage to the cylinder bore port. This internal routing eliminates the external pipe or hose that would otherwise run along the exposed outer surface of the cylinder \u2014 where it would be vulnerable to damage from chain contact, mast channel friction, and debris impact during container loading operations.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

<\/p>\n

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27-Component Assembly \u2014 Including Sprocket and Valve Systems<\/h2>\n

The short lifting cylinder is the most complex single cylinder in the forklift hydraulic system \u2014 27 components versus 25 for the tilt cylinder and 16 for the steering cylinder. The additional complexity comes from three subsystems that other forklift hydraulic cylinders<\/a> do not include: the check valve assembly (item 4), the oil pipe (item 3), and the sprocket seat\/cover pair (items 11\u201312).<\/p>\n

\"Short<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
#<\/th>\nComponent<\/th>\n#<\/th>\nComponent<\/th>\n#<\/th>\nComponent<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
1<\/td>\nCylinder Housing Assy<\/td>\n10<\/td>\nGuide Bush<\/td>\n19<\/td>\nBack-Ring<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2<\/td>\nPiston<\/td>\n11<\/td>\nSprocket Seat \u25c6<\/td>\n20<\/td>\nO-Ring<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3<\/td>\nOil Pipe \u25c6<\/td>\n12<\/td>\nSprocket Cover \u25c6<\/td>\n21<\/td>\nO-Ring<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4<\/td>\nCheck Valve \u25c6<\/td>\n13<\/td>\nSpring Washers<\/td>\n22<\/td>\nGrease Nipple<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5<\/td>\nCirclips for Hole<\/td>\n14<\/td>\nHex Bolt<\/td>\n23<\/td>\nO-Ring<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6<\/td>\nO-Ring<\/td>\n15<\/td>\nDu Bush<\/td>\n24<\/td>\nWasher<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7<\/td>\nWear-Ring<\/td>\n16<\/td>\nBack-Ring<\/td>\n25<\/td>\nScrews<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8<\/td>\nHole Seal<\/td>\n17<\/td>\nRod Seal<\/td>\n26<\/td>\nPiston Rod<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9<\/td>\nRound Wire<\/td>\n18<\/td>\nDust Wiper<\/td>\n27<\/td>\nPlug<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

\u25c6 Components unique to the short lifting cylinder \u2014 not found in standard lift, tilt, or steering cylinders.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

<\/p>\n

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Short Lift Cylinder vs Main Lift Cylinder \u2014 Technical Comparison<\/h2>\n

Buyers occasionally confuse the short lift cylinder with the main lift cylinder. They are entirely different components, are not interchangeable, and perform different functions within the mast system. This comparison clarifies the distinctions.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Characteristic<\/th>\nShort Lift Cylinder<\/th>\nMain Lift Cylinder<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Function<\/td>\nFree lift only (no mast extension)<\/td>\nFull mast extension<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stroke<\/td>\n775\u2013800 mm<\/td>\n1,500 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bore Range<\/td>\n\u03a675\u2013\u03a695 (larger)<\/td>\n\u03a656\u2013\u03a660 (smaller)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rod Diameter<\/td>\n\u03a660\u2013\u03a680 (thicker)<\/td>\n\u03a645<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Integrated Check Valve<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nNo (external)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sprocket System<\/td>\nIntegrated (seat + cover)<\/td>\nExternal chain anchor<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mounting Position<\/td>\nCentre of inner mast channel<\/td>\nSide of mast frame<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Component Count<\/td>\n27 parts<\/td>\n~20 parts<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

<\/p>\n

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Why Short Lift Cylinders Use Thicker Piston Rods<\/h2>\n

The rod-to-bore diameter ratio on the short lift cylinder (approximately 0.80\u20130.84) is substantially higher than the main lift cylinder (approximately 0.75\u20130.80). This thick rod design serves two engineering purposes that are unique to the free-lift function.<\/p>\n

First, the thick rod provides column stability. The short lift cylinder mounts vertically in the centre of the mast channel with no lateral support along the rod’s extended length. At 800 mm extension, the unsupported rod length creates a column buckling risk under the full lift load. A thicker rod (\u03a660\u2013\u03a680 versus \u03a645 on the main lift cylinder) increases the rod’s moment of inertia \u2014 its resistance to lateral bending \u2014 by the fourth power of the diameter increase. Going from \u03a645 to \u03a660 increases column strength by a factor of (60\/45)\u2074 = 3.16.<\/p>\n

Second, the thick rod provides a mounting platform. The sprocket seat (item 11) bolts to the top of the piston rod. The rod must be thick enough to accommodate the bolt holes, the sprocket bearing, and the chain load reaction forces without concentrating stress around the bolt holes. A thinner rod would require a separate adapter plate between the rod and the sprocket \u2014 adding weight, adding a potential failure point, and increasing the overall cylinder height.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

<\/p>\n

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Where Free Lift Is Essential \u2014 Not Optional<\/h2>\n
\"Forklift
\n\"Forklift<\/div>\n
\n
\n

Container Stuffing and Destuffing<\/h3>\n

The primary application for free-lift masts. The forklift drives into 20-foot or 40-foot shipping containers (2,280 mm internal clearance at the door) and must raise pallets to stack two-high inside the container without the mast contacting the container ceiling. Free lift provides the 800+ mm of fork travel needed to achieve this double-stack height while keeping the mast below the door header during entry and exit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Low-Ceiling Warehouses and Mezzanines<\/h3>\n

Older warehouse buildings and mezzanine areas with ceiling clearances below 2,500 mm cannot accommodate a standard extending mast. The free-lift cylinder allows the forklift to operate in these areas, raising loads up to the first racking level without the mast top hitting structural beams, sprinkler piping, or ceiling panels. This extends the useful life of older warehouse buildings without requiring costly ceiling height modifications.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Vehicle Transport \u2014 RoRo and Car Carrier<\/h3>\n

Forklifts loading cargo between decks of RoRo vessels and multi-deck car carriers face inter-deck clearances as low as 2,200 mm. The free-lift cylinder enables these forklifts to raise and place cargo on the between-deck shelving systems without extending the mast into the overhead deck structure. The short lift cylinder’s integrated check valve provides the load security required during vessel operations where deck motion and vibration could otherwise cause load shift.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Short Lifting Cylinder \u2014 Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
\n
\n

My forklift has a triplex mast but I cannot find a short lift cylinder in the mast \u2014 does every triplex mast have one?<\/h3>\n

Not all triplex masts use a separate short lifting cylinder. Some triplex masts achieve free lift through a staged hydraulic circuit that uses the main lift cylinder for both the free-lift and main-lift phases, with a sequencing valve controlling which mast stage extends first. If your mast has only one cylinder (the main lift cylinder) and still provides free lift, it uses this staged-circuit approach and does not require a short lifting cylinder. Check the mast parts manual for your specific forklift model.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Models N30N450 and 3U3H have identical specs \u2014 what is the actual difference?<\/h3>\n

The bore, rod, stroke, installation distance, pressure, and port are all identical. The difference is in the bottom mounting bracket geometry and the oil port location on the housing. These variations match the cylinder to different forklift OEM frame designs that use different mounting bolt patterns. The cylinders are functionally identical but mechanically not interchangeable without verifying that the bracket and port positions align with your specific mast frame. Always order by the exact drawing number.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

The free lift works but the forks descend 50\u201380 mm when I release the lift lever \u2014 is this normal?<\/h3>\n

A small descent of 10\u201325 mm is normal and results from oil compressibility and thermal contraction. A descent of 50\u201380 mm indicates that the integrated check valve is not seating properly. Contaminants (metal particles, seal debris) trapped on the check valve seat prevent it from closing fully, allowing oil to leak past the valve and the load to descend. Remove the check valve (item 4), inspect the seat surface for scoring or contamination, clean or lap the seat, and replace the valve if the seat is damaged. Do not continue operating with this condition \u2014 it is a load-holding safety failure.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Can I order just the sprocket seat, sprocket cover, or check valve as individual spare parts?<\/h3>\n

Yes. Korea Ever-Power supplies all 27 components individually, not just as a complete cylinder assembly. The most commonly ordered individual parts are the seal kit (items 6, 7, 8, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23 as a complete set), the check valve (item 4), and the sprocket cover (item 12, which wears from chain contact over time). Contact Korea Ever-Power<\/a> with the cylinder drawing number to order individual replacement components.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Complete Mast Cylinder Set<\/h2>\n
\n
\"Forklift<\/p>\n
\n

Main Lifting Cylinder<\/h3>\n

Single-acting main mast lift cylinder. 5 models, 1,500 mm stroke. Works in sequence with the short lift cylinder on triplex masts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\"Forklift<\/p>\n
\n

Forklift Tilt Cylinder<\/h3>\n

Double-acting mast tilt cylinder, 7 models. Pairs with both the short lift and main lift cylinders on triplex mast assemblies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\"Aerial<\/p>\n
\n

Aerial Work Vehicle Cylinders \u2192<\/a><\/h3>\n

Boom, scissor, and platform cylinders for aerial work platforms and telehandlers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The short lifting cylinder is the cylinder that lets a forklift enter a standard shipping container without the mast hitting the door header. On a triplex mast, this cylinder provides the “free lift” phase \u2014 raising the forks up to the full height of the collapsed mast channels without increasing the overall mast height. The cylinder integrates its own check valve, oil pipe, and chain sprocket system into a single assembly of 27 precision components. Korea Ever-Power offers 5 models with \u03a675 to \u03a695 bore, 775\u2013800 mm stroke, all rated at 18.1 MPa, covering triplex mast forklifts from 2.5 to 5 tonnes.<\/div>","protected":false},"featured_media":2211,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":""},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[850],"product_tag":[],"class_list":["post-2209","product","type-product","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","product_cat-forklift-hydraulic-cylinders","first","instock","shipping-taxable","product-type-simple"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hydrauliccylindersprice.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product\/2209","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hydrauliccylindersprice.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hydrauliccylindersprice.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hydrauliccylindersprice.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2209"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hydrauliccylindersprice.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2211"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hydrauliccylindersprice.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2209"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hydrauliccylindersprice.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_brand?post=2209"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hydrauliccylindersprice.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_cat?post=2209"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hydrauliccylindersprice.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_tag?post=2209"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}