FLUID POWER HANDBOOK
WWW.MOBILEHYDRAULICTIPS.COM
HYDRAULIC
MOTORS Hydraulic motors convert fluid power into mechanical energy. Highpressure fluid flow in a circuit is used to push vanes, gears or pistons attached to an output shaft, with power capacity of a hydraulic motor dictated by its design,
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size and speed, among other factors. Much like electric motors, hydraulic motors generate rotational motion and torque. However, hydraulic motors require no electricity and can withstand dusty and dirty environments, extreme heat, and even submersion. Perhaps most significantly, hydraulic motors have exceptional power-to-weight ratios. In terms of power capacity, an electric motor can weigh 20 times more than an equivalent-rated hydraulic motor.
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Some hydraulic motors offer high speed capabilities, such as in fan drives. Others, for instance winches, move heavy loads at low speeds, sometimes less than one rpm. They are used in industrial applications such as augers, conveyors and mixers, as well as in rolling mills, where they are preferred thanks to their robust nature and resistance to heat. Likewise, hydraulic motors are especially suited to mobile machinery, where they are often the primary drive in off-highway equipment. Hydrostatic drive systems transmit engine power to the drive wheels with exceptional versatility and reliability. Hydraulic wheel motor’s speed control and smooth reversibility make them perfect for use on backhoes, skid-steers and wheeled loaders. Motors are also used in tracked vehicles such as excavators and bulldozers, where the high power density of hydraulic motors let them achieve substantial torque in a relatively small package.
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7/15/19 9:54 AM
