Hydraulic Pump Types: Hand, Air, Electric and Gas Engine Pumps Compared

Quick answer: A hydraulic pump pushes oil into a cylinder, press or tool to create force. There are four common types for shop and field work. Hand pumps need no power and suit occasional jobs. Air hydraulic pumps run on shop air and free up the operator. Electric hydraulic pumps, often called hydraulic power units, move more oil faster for repeated work. Gas engine hydraulic pumps bring that output to job sites with no power. Pick the type by where you work and how often, then size the reservoir and valve to the cylinder.

How a hydraulic pump and cylinder work together

The pump creates pressure. The cylinder turns that pressure into a straight push or pull. Most industrial cylinders and pumps in this class are rated to 10,000 PSI, and the cylinder tonnage is the force it delivers at that pressure. The pump does not add force by itself. What it controls is how much oil it can deliver, how fast, and how the valve directs the oil.

Three questions decide the match:

1. Is the cylinder single acting or double acting? A single acting cylinder extends under pressure and returns with a spring or the load. A double acting cylinder is powered both ways and needs a pump with a 4 way valve.
2. How much oil does the cylinder need? Multiply the cylinder effective area by its stroke to get the volume. The pump usable oil has to cover that, plus some margin, for every cylinder that runs at once.
3. How fast does it need to move? Two speed pumps move oil quickly at low pressure to close the gap, then switch to high pressure for the work.

Hydraulic hand pumps

A hand pump is the simplest way to power a cylinder. No cord, no hose to an air line, and nothing to start. It suits low cycle work such as pressing a bearing, spreading, or lifting a load a few inches.

• Single speed or two speed. Two speed models fill the cylinder faster before the high pressure stage.
• Usable oil. Small aluminum pumps such as the BVA Hydraulics P352 (21.4 cubic inches) pair with small cylinders. Larger steel pumps like the P2301 (134 cubic inches) run bigger cylinders and presses.
• Double acting options. Pumps such as the P2301M include a valve for double acting cylinders.
• Foot pumps. The P570FP frees both hands for positioning the work.

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Air hydraulic pumps

An air over hydraulic pump uses compressed air to drive a small hydraulic piston. It is a common upgrade for shop presses and repeated jobs because the operator steps on a treadle instead of working a handle.

• Treadle pumps. The PA1500 (91.5 cubic inches usable oil) and PA3801 (231 cubic inches) are typical shop sizes.
• Rotary air pumps. Models such as the PARM4005 (4 HP, 5 gallon, 4 way valve) move far more oil for larger cylinders and double acting work.
• Air supply. Check the air pressure and flow the pump needs against your compressor.

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Electric hydraulic pumps

An electric pump pairs a motor, reservoir and control valve in one unit. It delivers steady flow for production pressing, multiple cylinders, lifting systems and hydraulic torque wrenches.

• Reservoir size. From about 1 gallon for a single small cylinder to 10 or 15 gallons for several large ones.
• Valve type. 3 way valves suit single acting cylinders. 4 way, 3 position valves run double acting cylinders and can hold the load in the center position. Locking and solenoid valves add control from a pendant.
• Power. Many units run on 120V with a standard plug, others on 230V or 240V. The PU55M4N025B is a 2.5 gallon, 4 way, 120V example.
• Torque wrench pumps. Some electric and air pumps, such as the PU55T1W025B, are built specifically to drive hydraulic torque wrenches.

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Gas engine hydraulic pumps

Where there is no power, a gas engine pump does the job of an electric unit. Bridge work, rail maintenance, construction sites and remote equipment repair are typical uses.

• Engine size. 5.5 HP units such as the PG70M4N05 suit medium cylinders. 10.2 HP units like the PG90M4N10 drive larger systems.
• Reservoir. 5 to 40 gallons, depending on how many cylinders run at once.
• Controls. Manual valves are simple and durable. Solenoid valves with a pendant let the operator stand back from the load.

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Hydraulic pump types compared

Safety basics

• Use a pressure gauge so you can see the load, not guess it.
• Match every hose, coupler and fitting to the system pressure.
• Never stand in line with a loaded cylinder or press.
• Support lifted loads with mechanical stands, not the cylinder alone.
• Check oil level and condition regularly, and keep couplers capped.

Related equipment

Pumps are half of the system. See hydraulic cylinders and hydraulic fittings and accessories, or put a pump to work on a shop press.

Frequently asked questions

What is a hydraulic power unit?

It is a pump, motor or engine, reservoir and control valve built into one unit. Most electric and gas engine hydraulic pumps fit this description.

Can I run a double acting cylinder with a hand pump?

Yes, if the hand pump has a 4 way valve for double acting use. A single acting hand pump will not retract a double acting cylinder under power.

How do I size the pump reservoir?

Add up the oil volume of every cylinder that will extend at the same time, then choose a pump with more usable oil than that total.

Is an air hydraulic pump faster than a hand pump?

Usually, and it frees the operator. Speed depends on the pump model and the air supply.

Why choose a gas engine pump over electric?

Choose gas when there is no reliable electric power where the work happens.