Looking for a way to calculate how much force a hydraulic cylinder can put out.

Also, the amount of leverage at the end of a lever.

Looking to investigate various sizes, angles, and leverage lengths of hydraulics for  a project.

I know 90* cylinder angle to object is best, but may not be feasible.

You can calculate maximum force applied by the cylinder if you know the surface area of the piston head and the hydraulic pressure - simply multiply the two together, making sure you are using the appropriate units of measurement.  This does not account for any losses, such as friction in the cylinder.

 If you don't know the size of the piston, you can calculate that if you can measure the volume of fluid required to move the actuator a given distance.  Volume of fluid divided by distance moved = area, again, using the appropriate units.

For leverage, you simply multiply your applied force by the ratio of distances from the pivot point of your lever.  If your actuator is twice as far from the pivot point as your load, then your effective force is twice as much.  Similarly, if your actuator is only half as far from the pivot as your load, then you only have half the effective force acting on the load.

Mike