What Are Hydraulic Power Packs, And Why Are They Essential?

Simply, hydraulic power packs are self-contained units used in place of an integrated power supply for hydraulic machinery. Hydraulics rely on pressurised fluid to transmit power from one location to another — and a power pack provides that hydraulic power in a compact, often portable format.

They’re essential in a range of situations, particularly for industrial work that takes place outdoors and away from larger-scale, integrated hydraulic systems.

What do hydraulic power packs look like?

Hydraulic power packs come in a range of sizes and designs, but most are reasonably compact to maintain portability — one of their biggest advantages. Many models are small and mobile, and comparatively few are designed to be large and stationary.

No matter the size, hydraulic power packs can be identified by their core components:

• A hydraulic reservoir
• Regulators
• A pump
• A motor
• Pressure supply lines
• Pressure relief lines

What do these hydraulic components do?

• The hydraulic reservoir – holds the hydraulic fluid the system relies on. Reservoirs vary in size but are typically easy to identify.
• The regulators – control and maintain the pressure the power pack delivers to the connected equipment.
• The pressure relief & supply lines – supply lines deliver fluid to the pump; relief lines relieve pressure between the pump and valves, and can also help control flow direction through the system.
• The motor & the pump – the motor drives the pump. The pump pressurises the hydraulic fluid and moves it around the system. It pulls fluid from the reservoir by creating a vacuum, then forces it through the hydraulic circuit.

The function of hydraulic power packs

Through a control valve, hydraulic power packs deliver hydraulic power to whatever they’re connected to. The more valves you have, the wider the variety of machines you can power.

There are hundreds of examples of hydraulic equipment that can be powered by portable packs — particularly machinery that performs heavy or repeated lifting. Practical examples include excavators and bulldozers on construction sites, industrial fishing vessels lifting nets, or mechanics using them to lift vehicles in a garage.

Maintaining your hydraulic power packs

Hydraulic power packs often require regular maintenance to ensure they operate efficiently and safely, and to extend service life.

Maintenance can be relatively simple, such as checking connections and tubing to ensure the pack remains structurally intact and leak-free.

A diverse range of hydraulic power packs from Flowfit

Flowfit offers a diverse range of hydraulic power packs suitable for many applications. Our portable pack models can be used alongside a range of hydraulic systems for reliable results.