How to Select Hydraulic Pumps

Hydraulic pumps are key to many dynamic machines. They are sources of power that transfer the catalytic liquid within machines to lift, lower, open, close or rotate components. Clearly, these pumps have tremendous range and capability, so learning to select the appropriate hydraulic pump for your application is the first step to achieving whatever goals you have for your machinery.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Assess your budget before beginning to shop for your hydraulic pump. Remember that these pumps will also continue to accrue certain maintenance costs, even after their initial purchase, so making sure they fit well within your budget is important. Smaller hydraulic pumps will start around $100 while heavy-duty hydraulic pumps, designed for agricultural or automotive use, can run around $3000.
2. Determine precisely which jobs will be assigned to your new hydraulic pump. With pumps ranging from 100 psi to 75,000 psi and the ability to boost the pressure with certain gases, there are literally millions of uses for these versatile machines.
3. Choose between the various kinds of hydraulic pumps available for both industrial and home use. External-gear pumps are most often used in machine tooling while internal-gear pumps are better able to handle heavier, more viscous liquids. Lobe pumps are great for use in food-handling machinery, as they are able to process near-solid or solid materials.
4. Select vane pumps for use with a liquid with a very low viscosity and non-lubricating properties, such as gasoline.
5. Decide how much pressure output you will need from your pump. You could harm your equipment if the pump is overpowered.
6. Inspect all the equipment that will be used with the hydraulic pump to make sure it is all compatible.
7. Decide whether you will need continuous or periodic power. Some pumps are designed to give constant pressure while others are designed for intermittent use.
8. Select a pump with the appropriate pressure rating, volumetric-flow output, speed, efficiency and fluid compatibility for your job.
9. Review which components you will need to purchase separately in order to use your hydraulic pump. Hoses, filters, air regulators and exhaust mufflers will all be needed to complete your hydraulic pump setup.
10. Check to see whether the pump you have chosen includes a power source. Most pumps are purchased separately, with no power source included. If this is the case with your pump, you'll need to find out what kind of source it needs and purchase it as well.
11. Look for pump and price comparisons on the NexTag and Pump School websites (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• If you plan on using your hydraulic pump infrequently, you may be able to save money and effort by selecting a smaller, less expensive pump. The wear will be considerably less than a frequently used pump, so getting the minimum you require may be acceptable.
• Most automotive-lift needs can be satisfied with a pump from about 1300 to 2000 psi while pumps designed to operate tools that need to generate lots of torque may need more than 10,000 psi. Smaller jobs, like HVAC pumps, may only require around 600 psi.
• Always maintain your hydraulic pump properly. These pumps can become blocked or clogged, causing serious damage to equipment and users if not checked regularly.