| External gear pump |
About 160–250 bar |
About 5–150 L/min |
Compact, simple construction; fixed displacement; generally economical and tolerant of demanding environments. |
Mobile machinery, power packs, lubrication circuits, and general industrial equipment. |
You need a straightforward fixed-flow supply and can manage excess flow with system controls. |
| Balanced vane pump |
About 70–210 bar |
About 10–250 L/min |
Smooth, relatively quiet operation; commonly available in fixed-displacement designs. |
Machine tools, presses, and industrial systems where noise and steady delivery matter. |
Your operating pressure is within the pump’s rating and quieter, low-pulsation flow is a priority. |
| Axial piston pump |
About 250–350 bar |
About 10–500 L/min, depending on size and speed |
High-pressure capability; variable-displacement versions can adjust output to demand and reduce wasted power. |
Hydrostatic drives, heavy mobile equipment, injection machinery, and high-pressure industrial systems. |
The circuit needs high pressure, variable flow, or improved energy efficiency under changing loads. |
| Directional control valve |
Commonly up to about 210–350 bar |
About 20–500 L/min, depending on valve size and design |
Routes fluid to start, stop, or reverse actuator movement; available in manual, solenoid, and pilot-operated configurations. |
Cylinders and motors in presses, machine tools, material-handling systems, and mobile equipment. |
You need to control actuator direction and the valve’s rated flow meets the circuit’s peak demand. |
| Pressure control valve |
Commonly up to about 210–350 bar |
About 5–300 L/min, depending on valve function and size |
Relief, reducing, and sequence designs manage pressure limits or establish operating order. |
Overpressure protection, clamping circuits, and systems with multiple pressure zones or operating stages. |
The circuit requires a defined pressure limit, reduced pressure in one branch, or pressure-based sequencing. |
| Proportional control valve |
Commonly up to about 210–350 bar |
About 10–200 L/min, depending on valve size and control type |
Provides modulated flow or pressure control in response to an electrical command; may require electronic control and feedback. |
Variable-speed actuators, process control, and machinery requiring smoother motion than simple on/off switching. |
You need adjustable actuator speed or pressure and have a control system suited to proportional operation. |