Let me tell you about something that doesn’t get nearly enough love: the Enerpac RC Series Cylinder. I know, I know—talking about cylinders might not sound thrilling to most people (just like most of my blogs, if I’m being honest). But when your day-to-day includes lifting, pushing, pressing, or aligning heavy stuff, the RC Series is like finding that one magical tool that doesn’t just work—it works consistently. No drama. No surprises. Just pure, unbothered lifting power.
If tools had personalities, the RC would be your reliable friend Jimmy—the guy who always shows up early to help move a couch, somehow lifts twice as much as anyone else, and still listens to Limp Bizkit on cassette. Not flashy, not complicated—just absurdly dependable. These single-acting, spring-return cylinders are basically the brick Nokia of hydraulics: it’ll still be ready to go when you need it.
They are regularly used on worksites that are dusty, muddy, and cramped they could’ve doubled as a deleted Indiana Jones scene. But the RC didn’t care. It never does. It's like those Velcro shoes we all wore as kids—easy, reliable, and weirdly satisfying.
One of the reasons this line is such a go-to is the sheer variety it offers. Whether you need a 5-ton compact powerhouse with a 2-1/8 inch stroke, or a 100-ton beast with a 14-inch reach, the RC lineup has you covered. Over 20 models to choose from, all with that rugged alloy steel body, baked enamel finish, and internal dust wipers that keep the grime out and the performance in. You know that one LEGO piece that seemed to fit in every build, no matter what you were making? That’s what these cylinders are like.
And let’s talk features. That spring return action? It’s like a hydraulic slinky that doesn’t tangle or disappear under the couch. Pressurize, lift, and it snaps back like it’s got something to prove. The mounting options are equally user-friendly—collar threads, plunger threads, base holes—basically the LEGO Technic of industrial tools. They fit into whatever configuration you throw at them, and look cool doing it.
Durability-wise? RC cylinders are tougher than my childhood bike, which I absolutely rode straight into a mailbox or pole… not going to lie, more than I like to admit. I’ve seen some of these cylinders come in that have sure been tested, but with regular maintenance and care they still function like they just came out of the box. Some of them have been in use for over a decade and are still going strong. If grandma’s cast iron skillet had a hydraulic cousin, it’d be this.
Many of the models are compact enough to stash in the back of your truck but powerful enough to do some seriously heavy lifting. Imagine a Capri Sun, but instead of juice, it's filled with raw hydraulic force. Now you’re picturing it, right?
It’s like booting up your Game Boy after years and still getting hours of play out of those beat-up AAs. There’s a reason once you try one, you start looking for excuses to use it again.
At Northland Air Hydraulics, we keep recommending the RC Series not because of some flashy promo, but because we’ve seen what these cylinders can handle—and how long they last. Whether you’re in construction, maintenance, heavy equipment repair, or anything in between, these cylinders belong in your gear lineup. Like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle in a sewer, they just fit.
So yeah, I guess I’m over enthusiastic about many things and this is one of them. But when a tool consistently makes your life easier, your lifts safer, and your job smoother... why wouldn’t I be?
If you’re looking for help finding the right size or want to explore other options—double-acting, low-profile, high-tonnage—we’re just a call or email away. We’re here to take the stress out of hydraulics and maybe even have a little fun doing it.
(Yes, I said it. Hydraulics can be fun. Don’t @ me.)