[VIDEO] How to Tension the Cables on Your Pneumatic Cable Cylinder

In this video, W.C. Branham’s Chad Randleman demonstrates how to properly proof-load and pre-tension the cables on your pneumatic cable cylinder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Start by Proof-Loading

Cable cylinders are provided with cables that are wired strand aircraft style cables, which require proper proof-loading and pre-tensioning to preset them at a specified tension. To proof-load, you’ll want to locate the terminals and the nuts located at the clevis attachment point of the cylinder. Then hold the terminal, rotate the nuts, and pre-tension them until the torque value is listed in the installation maintenance guide provided with your cylinder. Once you’ve torqued both sides to that torque value, leave and set for approximately two minutes.

How to Pre-Tension Your Pneumatic Cable Cylinder

Once proof-loading is done, you can proceed with the pre-tensioning. It’s important to have the cylinder attached to your load and your regulator set at your actual load pressure.

Then, you'll want to block your load on each side, short of allowing the cylinder to come up to the end of stroke position. This will create tension on one side of the cable, and it will create slack on the other side. Once you’ve done that, you can pressurize one side and cycle the cylinder in one direction. While doing so, observe the slack that occurs on the opposite side. You’ll want to remove that slack by rotating the nut on that side and tensioning that cable, and then cycle the cylinder to that other direction and perform the same step on the other side removing slack from both cables.

Once the pre-tensioning is complete, your cylinder is ready for operation. If you need further guidance, feel free to leverage our Cable Cylinder Maintenance and Repair Guide.

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