How to Select Hydraulic Pump and Motor

Looking for a hydraulic pump and motor to suit your application can be quite daunting with all the different options that are available. Between the different pump types, brands, shafts and rotations it can be a complex task to reach your exact requirements. In addition to this, dependent on your application type certain factors can influence the pump decision to ensure maximum performance. Some key considerations when selecting a hydraulic pump are:

• Fixed displacement or variable displacement
• Speed
• Flow rate
• Maximum operating pressure
• Fluid type

Hydraulic Pump Types

Hydraulic pumps move fluid through hydraulic systems. All pumps are designed to provide hydraulic flow to other components in a system, however, different types are suited to different applications. There are three main types of hydraulic pumps currently on the market: piston, gear and vane.

Gear Pumps

Gear pumps typically feature a simple design for ease of maintenance and a compact size, ideal when space is limited. Gear pumps offer high efficiency when running at maximum speed and can be used in various hydraulic systems. 

Piston Pumps

Piston pumps include radial piston pumps and fixed or bent-axis pumps. Piston pumps are designed to handle higher pressures than other types so may be more suitable for certain applications but the initial cost may be more expensive.

Vane Pumps

Like piston pumps, vane pumps can be either fixed or variable displacement. Vane pumps are typically used in utility vehicles, trucks and cranes. They are not designed for high pressure applications but generally offer good suction.

Selecting the right motor for hydraulic applications

Similar to hydraulic pumps, there is a range of hydraulic motor types such as gear, vane, bent-axis piston and radial piston, just to name a few. Motors are similar in design to pumps, differing in that pumps move hydraulic fluid whereas a motor will take flow into itself to provide rotary actuation. 

The first stages for selecting a hydraulic motor would be to first define the requirements of the performance of your application and which motor type best meets the objective of your requirements. The main considerations are the applications performance expectations as this will advise which type of duty cycle is required, whether this light medium or heavy duty, it is important to select these carefully as ensuring perfection at this stage will allow the hydraulic motor to work at optimum performance. 

BSP Hydraulics are experts when it comes to choosing the right hydraulic motor or hydraulic pump for your application.

If you need help, just contact us on 01924 332491, fill in one of our contact forms, or drop into our Parker Store Truck Hydraulics Centre based at our central Normanton location.