like some have mentioned, i'd be careful with that 1.5" rod....don't squeal the relief when it's fully extended..... if your going to stick with that 1.5", try and split the rounds when the cylinder is 1/2 extended....i have 3 4"x1.5"s laying up against the wall slightly bent...two of them happened when i let 'friends' borrow the splitter....
A ram is at it's strongest position when it's 1/2 extended, the end of the ram is supported with the ram guide on the beam, the other end is supported by the piston in the bore, and the center of the ram is supported by the end of the cylinder case itself.
a cylinder fully retracted is almost as weak as if it's fully extended, there's nothing supporting the center of the ram. it's weaker when it's extended, as the length is almost double.
believe it or not, i have bent rams when they're fully retracted. it bowed at the center and i was unable to extent it without complete disassembly. One was a 6" bore with a 2.5" ram, 24" stroke
if your going to use a 5, i'd shoot for one with a 3" ram minimum. find 3.5 or 4 if you can. if your going to use a 5" on that beam, better weld some plate steel top and bottom so it won't bend recurve bow style with the extra 1" bore. as any bend in the frame will force the cylinder ram to follow, which will result in diaster, and lots of swearing; possibly kicking or punching the machine and hurting toes/fingers, not only because your ruined the cylinder, but also trashed a good piece of framework, while looking at many many dollars and hours of work going in circles down the toilet....alright, i'll stop.
And remember, 1" isn't 1" bigger, just as 4" is not double of 2" ,
π is very misleading.
And the bigger the ram the quicker it'll return as well, which is a good thing itself.
assuming 100% effienticy (never happens, but it'll give you an idea what your up against, just fill in the blanks)
http://www.surpluscenter.com/Hydraulic.htm
