When adding a hydraulic cylinder to an existing system, what should be ensured first?

Ensuring that the pump capacity is adequate is crucial when adding a hydraulic cylinder to an existing system because the pump must be able to generate the necessary flow and pressure to operate the new cylinder effectively. Each hydraulic cylinder requires a specific volume of hydraulic fluid to function, and if the pump cannot meet these demands, the system will not perform as intended. This could lead to insufficient power for the operation, slow movement of the cylinder, or even damage to the system due to excessive strain on the components.

While the pipe diameter, type of fluid, and temperature regulation are also important factors to consider in a hydraulic system, they become secondary if the pump capacity is inadequate. If the pump cannot provide the power, any modifications to the pipe size, fluid type, or temperature control will not resolve the fundamental issue of insufficient hydraulic power generated by the pump. Thus, confirming adequate pump capacity is the first and crucial step when integrating new components into a hydraulic system.