{"id":2581,"date":"2026-07-01T06:03:33","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T06:03:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hydrauliccylindersprice.com\/product\/mobile-crane-counterweight-cylinder\/"},"modified":"2026-07-01T06:03:34","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T06:03:34","slug":"mobile-crane-counterweight-cylinder","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/hydrauliccylindersprice.com\/bg\/product\/mobile-crane-counterweight-cylinder\/","title":{"rendered":"Mobile Crane Counterweight Cylinder"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n \"Mobile<\/p>\n
\n Mobile Crane Cylinder<\/span><\/p>\n

Mobile Crane Counterweight Cylinder<\/h2>\n

The crane’s balance depends on it. Before a single lift begins, 100\u2013200 tonnes of counterweight slabs must be stacked onto the superstructure \u2014 one 10\u201320 tonne slab at a time. This cylinder handles each slab: lifting it from the transport trailer, positioning it over the mounting pins, and lowering it into place with millimetre precision.<\/p>\n

\n
85\u2013320mm<\/span>Bore<\/span><\/div>\n
\u22641,500mm<\/span>Stroke<\/span><\/div>\n
35 MPa<\/span>Pressure<\/span><\/div>\n
10\u201320 t<\/span>Per Slab<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Why the Crane Needs 200 Tonnes Behind It Before Lifting 1 Tonne in Front<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n \"Mobile<\/p>\n

When a crane lifts a load at the boom tip, the load creates an overturning moment that tries to tip the crane forward. The counterweight \u2014 stacked on the rear of the superstructure, behind the slewing centre \u2014 creates an opposing moment that keeps the crane stable. On large cranes, the counterweight package outweighs the maximum load by 3\u20135\u00d7 because the counterweight is closer to the crane’s centre than the load is at the boom tip.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The counterweight slabs are too heavy for manual handling and too precisely positioned for ordinary crane lifting. Each slab must align with dowel pins on the crane’s counterweight tray \u2014 a clearance of 5\u201310 mm between the slab’s pin holes and the tray’s pins. The counterweight cylinder provides the controlled, low-speed motion needed to guide each slab onto these pins without damage.<\/p>\n

Korea Ever-Power manufactures counterweight cylinders for crane OEMs as part of the mobile machinery hydraulic cylinder<\/a> range \u2014 from 25-tonne truck cranes (single counterweight slab) to 1,200-tonne crawler cranes (10+ stacked slabs).<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Technical Specifications<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Parameter<\/th>\nSpecification<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Product<\/td>\nMobile Crane Counterweight Cylinder<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Function<\/td>\nLift, position, and stack counterweight slabs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bore Diameter<\/td>\n85 mm \u2013 320 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rod Diameter<\/td>\n55 mm \u2013 180 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stroke<\/td>\n\u2264 1,500 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Working Pressure<\/td>\nMaximum 35 MPa<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Application<\/td>\nMobile Crane (counterweight self-assembly system)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Certification<\/td>\nISO 9001 \u00b7 100% hydrostatic tested \u00b7 load-holding verified<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n

Self-Assembly \u2014 The Crane Builds Itself<\/h2>\n

Large mobile cranes cannot travel on public roads with their full counterweight installed \u2014 the combined weight would exceed bridge load limits and axle load regulations. The counterweight slabs travel separately on flatbed trailers and are assembled onto the crane at the job site. The counterweight cylinder enables “self-rigging” \u2014 the crane installs its own counterweight without needing a second crane to lift the slabs:<\/p>\n

\n
\n
1<\/div>\n
Transport trailer parks alongside crane<\/strong><\/p>\n

The counterweight slabs arrive on a low-bed trailer, positioned within reach of the crane’s counterweight rigging system.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

\n
2<\/div>\n
Counterweight cylinder grips and lifts the first slab<\/strong><\/p>\n

The counterweight mechanism \u2014 powered by this cylinder \u2014 hooks under the slab, lifts it from the trailer, and swings it toward the crane’s rear tray. The lifting motion must be slow and controlled \u2014 a 20-tonne slab swinging uncontrolled would destabilise the crane before its counterweight is even installed.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

\n
3<\/div>\n
Cylinder lowers slab onto dowel pins<\/strong><\/p>\n

The cylinder retracts slowly, lowering the slab until the pin holes align with the dowels on the counterweight tray. The operator guides the alignment visually or with camera assistance. Millimetre-level control at the end of stroke is essential \u2014 dropping a 20-tonne slab the last 10 mm off-centre can shear a dowel pin or crack the cast-iron tray.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

\n
4<\/div>\n
Repeat for each additional slab<\/strong><\/p>\n

Large cranes stack 5\u201312 slabs in sequence \u2014 each slab adds stability that allows the next (heavier) slab to be lifted. The first slab is the most critical: the crane has no counterweight yet, so the self-rigging load must be within the unballasted crane’s stability limit. Contact the Korea Ever-Power engineering team<\/a> for counterweight cylinder specifications.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

<\/p>\n

\n \"Counterweight
\n<\/section>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Lowest Cycle Count, Highest Precision \u2014 A Cylinder That Works 20 Minutes per Job<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n \"Counterweight<\/p>\n

The suspension cylinder (#20) cycles millions of times per year. The luffing cylinder (#17) cycles thousands of times per day. The counterweight cylinder cycles 5\u201312 times per job setup \u2014 once per slab, plus the same number to remove the slabs at teardown. On a crane that moves to a new site weekly, that is 10\u201324 cycles per week \u2014 fewer than 1,500 cycles per year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Despite this low cycle count, each cycle demands exceptional precision. The slab must align with dowel pins to within \u00b15 mm. The lowering speed during the final 50 mm of placement must be controllable to less than 5 mm\/second. Any sudden movement \u2014 from seal stiction, valve response lag, or hydraulic resonance \u2014 risks misalignment or impact damage. The counterweight cylinder uses the same proportional-valve-compatible port sizing and low-friction seals as the high-cycle crane cylinders \u2014 not because it needs cycle-life endurance, but because it needs smooth, precise motion control at very low speed.<\/p>\n

The other demand is reliability during long idle periods. Between counterweight operations, this cylinder sits unused for hours, days, or weeks \u2014 exposed to weather, temperature cycles, and vibration from the crane’s travel. Seals must not stick after extended static periods; the rod must not corrode during storage; and the load-holding valve must maintain the slab position during the entire crane operation without drift.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

<\/p>\n

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Manufacturing Process<\/span><\/h2>\n

The counterweight cylinder’s bore (85\u2013320 mm) is honed to Ra 0.2\u20130.4 \u00b5m. Chrome plating is 50\u201380 \u00b5m with a corrosion-resistant base layer \u2014 extended idle periods with partial rod exposure demand better storage protection than a continuously cycling cylinder. Rod eye forging and pin bore machining are held to H7\/g6 fit tolerances for the counterweight mechanism’s pivot connections. Seals are polyurethane with NBR wipers rated for -30 \u00b0C to +80 \u00b0C outdoor service.<\/p>\n

Every counterweight cylinder is hydrostatic tested at 1.5\u00d7 rated pressure (52.5 MPa), load-holding tested (verifying zero drift under rated slab weight for a defined hold period), and low-speed motion tested \u2014 verifying smooth, proportional extension and retraction at speeds below 5 mm\/second without stick-slip. This low-speed test is unique to the counterweight cylinder and is not performed on the other crane cylinders whose minimum operating speed is much higher.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

<\/p>\n

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OEM & ODM<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n
\n
What You Provide<\/strong><\/div>\n
\n

Maximum counterweight slab weight, number of slabs, rigging mechanism geometry (pivot points, lever arms, swing arc), required lifting and lowering speed, placement precision requirement, system pressure, load-holding valve specification, and the counterweight rigging assembly drawing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

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What the Factory Delivers<\/strong><\/div>\n
\n

Engineering drawing with bore, rod, stroke, low-speed proportional port sizing, load-holding valve provisions, corrosion-protected chrome rod, and mounting dimensions. Hydrostatic + load-holding + low-speed motion test certificate. Seal kits. Browse the mobile machinery hydraulic cylinder family<\/a> and the Korea Ever-Power catalogue<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Korea
\n<\/section>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n
\n

Does the counterweight cylinder operate during lifting?<\/h3>\n

No \u2014 the counterweight is a static ballast. Once all slabs are stacked and pinned, the counterweight cylinder is idle for the entire lifting operation. It re-engages only during teardown, when the slabs are removed in reverse order. The cylinder’s total active operating time per job is typically 15\u201330 minutes (setup) plus 15\u201330 minutes (teardown).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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What happens if a slab is placed off-centre?<\/h3>\n

An off-centre slab shifts the counterweight’s centre of gravity sideways \u2014 reducing the crane’s stability on one side. The crane’s moment limiter detects this asymmetry (through the outrigger load sensors) and reduces the permitted lifting capacity in the affected direction. In severe cases, the operator must re-lift and reposition the misaligned slab. The counterweight cylinder’s smooth low-speed control minimises the risk of misplacement.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Can smaller cranes self-rig their counterweight?<\/h3>\n

Many truck cranes in the 25\u201380 tonne class travel with their counterweight permanently installed (the single slab is light enough to comply with road weight limits). These cranes do not need a counterweight cylinder. Self-rigging counterweight systems are primarily found on all-terrain cranes above 100 tonnes and crawler cranes above 150 tonnes \u2014 where the counterweight package is too heavy for road transport. Browse telescopic cylinders<\/a> and industrial engineering cylinders<\/a> for other heavy-component handling applications.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

<\/p>\n

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Related Categories<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n <\/p>\n
\n
\"Telescopic\"<\/div>\n
\n
Telescopic Hydraulic Cylinders \u2192<\/div>\n
Dump truck, trailer, hoist.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a>
\n <\/p>\n

\n
\"Forklift\"<\/div>\n
\n
Forklift Hydraulic Cylinders \u2192<\/div>\n
Lift, tilt, steer \u2014 OEM.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a>
\n <\/p>\n

\n
\"AWV\"<\/div>\n
\n
Aerial Work Vehicle Cylinders \u2192<\/div>\n
Scissor, boom, platforms.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/main><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Mobile crane counterweight cylinder \u2014 the hydraulic actuator that lifts, positions, and stacks counterweight slabs onto the crane’s superstructure during site setup. On a 500-tonne all-terrain crane, the counterweight package can total 100\u2013200 tonnes \u2014 individual slabs of 10\u201320 tonnes each, stacked in a precise sequence. The counterweight cylinder lifts each slab from the transport trailer, swings it into position, and lowers it onto the mounting pins. Once the full counterweight package is assembled, this cylinder’s job is done \u2014 it does not operate during lifting. Bore 85\u2013320 mm, stroke \u22641,500 mm, 35 MPa. Korea Ever-Power. ISO 9001. OEM & ODM.<\/div>","protected":false},"featured_media":2582,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":""},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[854],"product_tag":[],"class_list":["post-2581","product","type-product","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","product_cat-mobile-machinery-hydraulic-cylinders","pa_editor-cxm","first","instock","product-type-simple"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hydrauliccylindersprice.com\/bg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product\/2581","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hydrauliccylindersprice.com\/bg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hydrauliccylindersprice.com\/bg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hydrauliccylindersprice.com\/bg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2581"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hydrauliccylindersprice.com\/bg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2582"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hydrauliccylindersprice.com\/bg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2581"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hydrauliccylindersprice.com\/bg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_brand?post=2581"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hydrauliccylindersprice.com\/bg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_cat?post=2581"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hydrauliccylindersprice.com\/bg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_tag?post=2581"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}