Bruntie, I overhauled the brakes in a 6045 a few weeks ago, and the new slave cylinders were the same, extremely tight. I think you are spot on with they need to be so they are self adjusting, as there are no mechanical adjusters in the UR1 brakes.
Having said that, I have not pulled the pressure equalizer apart, this may have a set up that retains a small residual pressure against the slave cylinders (Cat dump trucks have this, it is like a check valve and relief valve in one).
On the pedal travel, they are all the same when using one brake, as the piston in the pressure equalizer has to move completely to one side, and this space obviously needs to be filled by fluid.
When bleeding, mash down hard on the pedals, the routing of the brake lines tends to hold air if you only press down slowly on the pedal.