Question

A hydraulic lift system utilizes two 3 in. diameter cylinders. Workers must determine how much the system is capable of lifting before deciding how much weight can be lifted safely. The system runs at a gauge pressure of 2000 lb/in^2.

Answer 1

The weight that will be lifted will be distributed into the two cylinders. First, we must calculate the force that one cylinder is able to bear, which is calculated using:
Pressure = Force / Area
Force = Pressure * Area
Force = 2000 * π * (3/2)²
Force = 14,137.2 Lbs

Combined weight bearable by the two cylinders:
2 * 14,137.2
= 28,000 lbs