Patent ID: 6964221

Claim:
A hydraulic actuator for use in a work vehicle, comprising: a tube including a first end, a second end and an inner surface; a plug, wherein a portion of the plug is disposed inside the tube and a portion of the plug extends outside the tube, the plug including a pilot portion having an outer surface spaced from the inner surface of the tube such that a cavity is formed between the outer surface of the plug; a weld extending around the perimeter of the plug and coupling the first end of the tube to the plug, the weld forming a fluid-tight seal between the plug and the tube; a seal abutting against the plug and the inner surface of the tube and being spaced from the weld, the weld and the inner surface of the tube, and the cavity sealed by the seal; an end plug affixed to the second end of the tube to enclose and seal the second end of the tube, the end plug defining a rod opening; a piston configured to be slidingly supported within the tube, the piston including a retract face, an extend face oppositely disposed to the retract face and a lip protruding from the extend face; and a piston rod affixed to the piston, the piston rod extending out of the tube through the rod opening.