The rod is the part that extends.When retracting,a smaller rod will have more of the top surface of the piston exposed to pressure giving you a powerful,but slower retraction. You would want this on say...a backhoe.A dump truck on the other hand will have a vary large rod...nearly the size of the cylinder,since the weight of the bed will allow it to retract.
Well I had my shopping list all set, waiting to collect parts at the predictable Princess Auto sales. Well, yesterday I was at Princess Auto auto in Kingston and as I lined up at the cash I spotted a clearance on electric log splitters. $125 for a 5 ton.
So now I can cross build log splitter off my project list.
Thanks for the ideas guy. I'm sure I'll be back to this when I break the electric one.
