Linear Actuators Mounting Brackets

While determining and selecting the right linear actuator gets most of the attention, choosing the right linear actuators mounting brackets is a sometimes forgotten or hastily decided. But finding the right linear actuator mounting bracket can make a huge difference in how successfully your next project is.

This blog will aim to show you some of the common linear actuator mounting hardware available as well as some of the less common options that may help you take your project to the next level. Keep in mind that each actuator has brackets designed specifically for that actuator series.

Clevis Mounting Brackets

( MB1, MB1-P, MB2, MB3, MB3U, MB8, MB14, MB17, MB18, MB35, MB50U )

One of the most commonly used actuator mounting bracket types are the clevis mounting brackets. These mounting brackets have a clevis and pin design and are built to be attached to either end of a suitable linear actuator. They are attached to the linear actuator by pinning the clevis and pin hole of the actuator together using a cotter pin or R-clip to hold the pin in place. The clevis pin design allows the linear actuator to swivel over 180 degrees. Our clevis mounting brackets can withstand forces above 1,000 pounds - some of the larger brackets will handle up to 3,000 lbs. Utilizing these brackets on either end of your linear actuator will allow the actuator to pivot as it extends or retracts. This can be very useful and makes these brackets perfect for hinge applications like opening and closing a hatch, rotating solar panels, and much more. These linear actuator mounting brackets also have an elongated mounting hole that allows for easy adjustment and installation.

Static Mounting Brackets – Body Clamps

( MB6, MB6-P, MB36, MB50, MB36C, & MB50C )

Another commonly seen mounting bracket is the static mounting bracket, sometimes called a 'body clamp'. Static brackets are attached to the body of the linear actuator and are used to keep the body of the linear actuator stationary. These brackets simply slide over the body of the linear actuator and are attached by tightening two bolts. Unlike the clevis brackets, these mounting brackets will not allow your linear actuator to pivot and are ideal when you want to ensure your linear actuator is in a static orientation. This feature makes static mount brackets perfect for fixed-motion applications, like drawers or lifts.

Our MB6 Static Bracket is designed to be used with Classic Rod Linear Actuators and Feedback Rod Actuators ONLY. They are built to fit over the body of these actuators to ensure they do not rotate and can be used in conjunction with our clevis mounting brackets.

Another type of Body-Clamp bracket we offer is a hanging-style bracket; consisting of the MB36C and the MB50C.

These units do not have a flat base to mount to your structure, similar to the MB6 units. These two units work with our Bullet .36 and Bullet .50 actuators, respectively.

Another style of body-mounting bracket is our MB50 and MB36 Mounting Brackets. These 'donut' mounts are designed to be used with the matching Bullet Series Actuators ONLY (MB36 for the Bullet 36; MB50 for the Bullet 50) and are used to mount these actuators from the body. Like the static mounting bracket, these brackets slide over the body of the linear actuator and are attached by tightening two bolts; but unlike the static mounting bracket, these brackets can allow the actuator to pivot. This makes the donut-style mounting brackets perfect for hinge applications while also providing more mounting flexibility compared to the clevis mounting brackets.

Most of our static brackets are made of sturdy aluminum and are rugged enough to be used in heavy duty applications such as in yachts and automobiles.

Rod End Mounting Bracket - MB10

The MB10 Rod-End Mounting Bracket is special; it is designed to fix onto the rod of multiple actuators (Classic & Feedback Rod, P-Series & Optical Sensor, Super Duty, Mini Linear Actuators). This bracket has a solid aluminum block with 5 tapped mounting holes on 3 sides - 4 small ones on the side faces, and one large M10 mounting hole in line with the rod of the actuator. The MB10 is perfect for side-mounted applications that cannot use a Track Actuator.

Premium Base Mounting Bracket

Our Premium Base Mounting Bracket converts some our P-Series Actuators to a column lift style Actuator. This bracket was specifically designed to work with our P-Series Actuators and Optical Feedback Linear Actuators up to 200lbs force, only. To install this bracket, you’ll need to remove the back plate of your actuator and replace it with the premium base mounting bracket. This mounting bracket is perfect when you want to use either our premium or optical feedback linear actuators in a vertical configuration and allows you to use these actuators as smaller and more compact versions of lifting columns. This mounting bracket, used in conjunction with our other brackets, would be ideal in applications like pop up drawers or custom TV lifts.

GUIDE: BY BRACKET

• The MB1 will fit all Classic and Feedback Rod Actuators, as well as the Utility units. It will also fit both ends of the Mini-Track Actuators
• The MB1-P will fit all P-Series line actuators and Utility units, including OS and Adjustable Limit Units.
• The MB2 Bracket is made to fit in the notch of our Sleek Rod Tubular Actuators or Utility Actuators.
• The MB3 and MB3U brackets are made to fit our Heavy Duty-style actuators, also called “L-Units”. Both brackets can fit both ends of the actuator.
• The Heavy-Duty Track Actuators require one MB5 kit per unit.
• The MB6 Body-Bracket fits Classic and Feedback Rod Actuators. It might take some elbow grease to get it on.
• MB6-P brackets fit on the Rod-body of the P-Series, P-Series High Force and Optical Sensor actuators. – these cannot fit the Adjustable-Limit Switch units.
• MB8 brackets fit the High Speed units; One unit per actuator (come as a pair)
• MB9 (L-)brackets are made for the Mini-Track Actuators – one set comes with each unit.
• The MB10 will fit on the Rod-End of ALL Classic, P-Series, Feedback, Optical Sensor and Adjustable Limit Switch actuators.
• The MB14 bracket will fit the Mini-Bullet actuators, including the Bullet .23 Cal. They will not fit Micro Actuators.
• MB17 brackets are made for the Super Duty Actuators, and will fit either clevis-end of the unit.
• The MB35’s are for the new Bullet Series 35 units. One unit per actuator (come as a pair)
• The MB50U/MB50C/MB50 brackets fit the Bullet.50(BH50)
• The P-Series Base Mounting Brackets are tricky – the MB-PB comes with bolts that will fit P-Series actuators (including Adjustable Units), however the OPTICAL SENSOR actuators require the FA-OS-IMD3 version due to the longer attachment bolts.

BY ACTUATOR

• Classic actuators will fit the MB1, MB6, and MB10 rod-end bracket.
• Feedback Rod actuators will fit the MB1, MB6, and MB10 rod-end bracket.
• Super Duty Actuators have the MB17; and they will fit either clevis-end of the unit.
• The Utility Actuator has been created to fit multiple brackets; including the MB1, MB1-P, and MB2 brackets.
• Optical Sensor actuators will fit into the MB1-P, MB6-P, MB10 and FA-OS-IMD3 (variant) brackets; the 400# units will not fit the FA-OS-IMD3 Column Mount Bracket!
• P-Series actuators will fit into the MB1-P, MB6-P, MB10 and MB-PB brackets; the P-Series High Force actuators will not fit the MB-PB.
• Adjustable Limit will fit into the MB1-P, MB6-P, MB10 and MB-PB brackets
• The Bullet.50(BH50) fits the MB50U, MB50C and MB50 brackets.
• The BH 36 (Bullet .36 Cal) uses MB36* brackets – MB36 , MB36C, MB36SM these brackets are fitted to the units.
• Heavy Duty and Deluxe actuators (including IP66 models) are made to fit the MB3 and MB3U brackets.
• The Heavy-Duty Track Actuators require one MB5 kit per unit.
• The Mini-Track Actuators come with one set of MB9 (mini L-)brackets. The Mini-Track Actuators also have 2 clevis holes on the ends for MB1 Brackets.
• Mini Linear Actuators fit the MB1 brackets
• Bullet Series Mini Actuators fit the MB14 brackets. One unit per actuator (come as a pair)
• Bullet .23 Cals fit the MB14 brackets. One unit per actuator (come as a pair)
• Industrial Heavy Duty units have an oversized clevis hole; the MB3U and MB50U can be used to hold the unit, but they will not be a tight fit.