Hydraulic cylinders are used in countless applications that demand power density and flexibility. Here are 9 of the coolest (not to mention some of the biggest!) applications for mobile hydraulic cylinders.

1. Terex Roadmaster crane

The Terex Roadmaster crane provides a lifting capacity of 7 tons at a 20-meter radius with a fully extended boom and features a single cylinder telescopic system.

2. Inbye mining roof support

Underground mines are susceptible to collapse, which is a pretty bad thing. But mining roof support systems, like this one developed by Inbye of Australia, use some major hydraulic cylinder action to keep miners safe and sound.

3. Liebherr mining truck

Speaking of mining, what do you do with all that material you dig up? The mammoth Liebherr T284 mining truck employs two double-stage, double-acting hoist cylinders with inter-stage and end cushioning in both directions for its dump system.

4. Piling barge

You want to see a massive hydraulic cylinder? Look no further than Hunger Hydraulik’s behemoth on this 93-meter piling barge!

5. Caterpillar hydraulic excavator

Caterpillar’s 390D L Hydraulic Excavator features a load-sensing system to ensure high efficiency and productivity with minimal losses. The boom cylinder has a 8.27-in. bore and 77.44-in stroke, while the stick cylinder has a 8.66-in. bore and 89.05 in. stroke. Maximum system pressure is 5000 psi.

6. Sinomach road paver

Sinomach’s TWL4500 road pavers feature a hydraulic telescopic mangle, and the width of the hydraulic extension screed is infinitely adjustable.

7. Plustech forest wood excavator

This fascinating forest wood excavator—which looks like a piece of equipment straight out of Avatar—was developed almost a decade ago in Finland by Plustech Oy, now a part of John Deere’s Construction and Forestry Div.

8. Ditch Witch directional drill

Rock drilling isn’t exactly easy work. But with equipment like the Ditch Witch JT100 all-terrain directional drill, it’s a relative breeze. Can we get one of these for our backyard?