HYDRAULIC BASICS  |   FEATURED RESOURCES   |  SPECIFICATION   |  MAINTENANCE

Designing a reliable, efficient hydraulic system requires careful selection and integration of multiple component technologies, along with a clear understanding of application demands. From actuators and fluid conveyance to filtration, safety, and control elements, each component plays a critical role in overall system performance, efficiency, and longevity.

Nearly all hydraulic systems rely on actuators and fluid conveyance to power, lift, push, pull, and perform the work a machine is designed to do. Explore the articles below for guidance on key system design elements — including hydraulic pumps, motors, valves, and hose assemblies —and learn how proper specification of these technologies helps ensure dependable, high-performing machines.

Hydraulic symbology 101: Understanding basic fluid power schematics

What are Hydraulic Motors?

What is the difference between fixed and variable pumps?

What are hydraulic valves?

Hydraulic valves, in addition to the force density advantage of actuators, are what help make hydraulics unique in its control of force, torque and motion.

Hydraulic motors are rotary actuators that convert hydraulic, or fluid energy into mechanical power. They work in tandem with a hydraulic pump, which converts mechanical power into fluid, or hydraulic power. 

A hydraulic pump has one mission, and that is to transform incoming mechanical energy at its shaft into hydraulic energy capable of transferring force to actuators somewhere downstream. 

One challenge – even if you’ve memorized every symbol in the library – is understanding why a particular symbol is used in a circuit; that part is hard to teach and just comes with experience.

Get More Torque from Less Space: How to Select and Integrate LSHT Motors for Tough Mobile & Industrial Jobs

Cut Shock, Boost Uptime: How to Correctly Select & Precharge Hydraulic Accumulators

Inside Smart Mobile Hydraulics: Watch Parker Engineers Break Down How to Design, Specify & Apply Mobile Directional Control Valves

Stop PTO Failures Before They Start: Your Guide to Specifying, Installing & Troubleshooting Chelsea Power Take-Offs

A designer’s guide to hydraulic motors

A designer’s guide to hydraulic pumps

A designer’s guide to hose assemblies

A designer’s guide to hydraulic valves

Hydraulic motors are powerful and energetically dense rotary actuators with designs as versatile as their applications. The range of options is vast, but this guide will steer you through the selection process to find the model best suited for you.

As an engineer, hydraulic specialist or budding designer, knowledge of the various hydraulic pump options is imperative to provide your company or customers with the best possible option for any given machine.

Hydraulic hose assemblies are often an afterthought to the hydraulic designer. Assuming you’re the hydraulic designer, not the engineer responsible for the machine itself, there are many considerations when planning the hose assemblies.

Valves are the fluid power designer’s calling card. This article provides a guide to the valve technologies available, allowing you to create your own unique approach to controlling hydraulics. 

Why do hydraulic systems fail?

7 steps to prevent hydraulic motor failure

What causes hydraulic hose failure?

7 signs your hydraulic valve has failed

In this multi-part series, we’re going to look at why hydraulic systems fail, how system maintainers can prevent failures, and tips and tricks to troubleshoot problems and failures easily.

There are very few hydraulic systems operating without directional valves, and aside from modern technologies that can make do with a servo-driven pump and a single actuator, you’ll be hard-pressed to think of a way to control actuators without them.

Hydraulic hose failures are much like vehicle collisions — they’re not accidents. No longer can you blame weather, road conditions or distractions because it’s always someone’s fault.

Preventing hydraulic motor failure involves a combination of proper design, maintenance, and operation practices. Despite resembling hydraulic pumps, motors are unique in that they convert hydraulic energy into rotational energy.

What hydraulic pumps are best for electrified systems?

Comparing electric versus hydraulic motors

A designer’s guide to air and hydraulic cylinders

How do you select the right hydraulic motor for your application?

Primarily, they’re both systems that transmit energy remotely and then convert it into mechanical force. They both provide precise control using various input methods.

Perhaps more than anything else, cylinders define fluid power and its advantage over other technologies. Whether discussing rapid air cylinders or powerful hydraulic versions, these linear force devices offer unmatched performance in countless configurations.

In this case, I’m discussing the motion control and automation side of hydraulics, where the electric more is more than a prime mover, and sophisticated electronic control leads to advanced execution of motion control concepts.

Hydraulic motors are rotary actuators that convert hydraulic energy into mechanical torque. 

From building critical infrastructures in developing countries to ensuring mining operations are safer, Parker’s expertise in the off-road machinery industry is making a lasting difference. It’s part of our commitment to enabling engineering breakthroughs that lead to a better tomorrow.