Hydraulic cylinders include a number of features that are useful in a number of industries. The great advantage telescopic cylinders have over any other type of cylinders is their ability to provide an exceptionally long stroke from a compact initial package. Controlling the extension and retraction of the stages of a telescoping cylinder mitigates mis-staging, which is an unwanted result of some telescoping cylinders. Spherical bearings at the end mount of cylinders, either telescoping or not, can be cleaned using scrapers, which will extend the life of the bearings in the field. The rods of cylinders, either telescoping or not, can also be cleaned with additional scrapers at key locations to further remove unwanted and potentially damaging material that can build up on the rods, such as due to the environment of use for the cylinders.