I am placing this in the general forum as i have not recieved any responces  on the Motion forum, maybe I didn't ask the question right.

I have an assembly (basicly a 4 bar linkage) to flip an object. it is hydraulicly opperated and I would like to evaluate it with Motion and then use those results in Simulation. Unfortunately I am not sure how to replicate the hydralic cylinder.

     I have attempted to use a spring in the place of the cylinder as well as a force vector but I wasn;t able to get the force vector acting in the direction I wanted. I have been thinking about using a motor at the location where the linkage arm the cylinder mounts to is pinned but am not sure that is correct. I only found one tutorial for motion is SW and it left as many questions as answers.

     Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to approach this? I have SW Professional ( or Premium, which ever is the top level with full blown motion and simulation) and am using 2012.

Lacking suggestions, does anyone know of better tutorials or a good book dealing with motion and simulation? i am not opposed to working for the solution, i just want an idea where to start.

Thank you

Jim S