On Sun, 16 Jan 2011 11:30:21 -0500, "RBM" wrote:

I'm trying to determine the force in tons of a hydraulic cylinder. Being
mathematically challenged, even having a formula would be like reading
Chinese to me.
The cylinder has an outer diameter of 3.5", the shaft is 2", as best I can
figure from information derived from the net, the bore would be 3". It has a
stroke of 18". It will be fed from a pump delivering 8 GPM @ 2100 PSI.

Any help would be appreciated

Pressure pushing or pulling? If pushing the shaft diameter does not
have any bearing on the force delivered. The gallons per minute
likewize have no effect on the force delivered 3 inch bore is 7 square
inches of area, so the push force delivered is 7X2100= 14,700 lbs
force.

If it is a double acting cyl, the pull-back area is 7-3.14=3.86 sq
inches, and the pull-back force is 3.86X2100=8906 lbs force.