FAQ
Availability and Delivery Times
No, because we only manufacture to order and delivery times vary based on workload.
Delivery times vary based on workload and time of year. VBC Hydraulics closes each year for 3 weeks in August and 2 weeks in December. Orders arriving near August and at the turn of December and January will be handled taking into account these closing times. Subscribers to our newsletter receive regular communication with exact opening and closing times. Are you interested in receiving these updates?
At VBC Hydraulics, we always try to give the best service to our customers. Contact our sales department to evaluate if it is possible to anticipate your delivery.
Customizations
Yes, of course. At VBC Hydraulics, we are always available to evaluate specific requests and customizations because our production is flexible. Contact us and we will verify the feasibility of your project.
General Questions and Information about the VBC Hydraulics Product Range
Contact our technical department, and we will help you find the VBC Hydraulics component that matches the one you have.
In 2010, we changed our product marking system. Years ago we used laser engraved marking, then we switched to the bar code label, which is much more complete. Thanks to the unique code, we can trace exactly every single component made and sold. Therefore, if your VBC Hydraulics product was purchased before 2010, the marking you find engraved does not correspond to a code, but you can trace the component to be replaced by following the coding system. To do this, read the steps in the guide to our labeling system.
Not always. Contact us and we will check together if it is possible.
If your component is a hydraulic pump: yes, you can.
If your component is a hydraulic motor or a flow divider: it depends on the pressure value and the product.
- Ambient temperature is between -20° and +60°.
- Fluid temperature is between -15° and +80°.
If the fluid temperature is higher than 80°, it is necessary to apply VITON seals.
If the fluid temperature is higher than 120°, we don’t have suitable solutions.
In any case, for special needs, you can contact our technical department.
It depends on the flow rate passing through the valve. In VBC Hydraulics products, it is not possible to set the valve below 10 bar.
Hydraulic pumps transform mechanical energy into hydraulic energy, while hydraulic motors transform hydraulic energy into mechanical energy.
Pumps and motors are made with components that have different tolerances, require a different type of testing, and provide a reinforced oil seal that resists better to back pressure where possible.
To learn more, read our article Difference between hydraulic pumps and motors.
You cannot use a pump as a motor because the manufacturing tolerances required to make motors are different from those of pumps. Therefore, pumps may not have the efficiency and start-up capability needed to work properly as motors. Also, pumps are not tested to work as motors. Instead, you can use a motor as a pump because the tolerances are tighter.
Oil leaks can usually result either from a failure of the static seals, i.e., the gaskets, or the oil seal, or from the failure of one or more components. It is therefore important to understand if the damage only concerns the seals or if it is more widespread and involves the pump or the whole engine. In fact, in the first case, to solve the problem, it will be sufficient to replace the damaged seal or oil seal, while in the second case it may be necessary to replace the entire pump or motor.
To learn more, read our in-depth analysis on what are the most common causes of oil leaks in hydraulic pumps and motors.
Questions and Information about VBC Hydraulics Flow Dividers
To calculate the displacement of a flow divider you must first define the flow rate of the individual element using this formula:
single element flow rate = inlet flow rate/number of elements
and then define the displacement with this rough calculation:
displacement = flow rate of the single element/2000
Want to know more about it? We have written a guide to calculate the displacement of a divider knowing the flow rate.
Yes, you can. Want to know how? We’ve written a guide to using the divider as a pressure multiplier.
RV series flow dividers have replaced those of the earlier KV series. The products of the new version have the same function as the now discontinued one, but the two types are different in several aspects: dimensions, tolerances, precision, variants, and components. To learn more, please read our article on the differences between the VBC Hydraulics KV and RV flow dividers.
Yes, you can. There are differences in shape, size, and sometimes even differences in function between the two versions, but you can always find a suitable product.
Yes, you can use water-glycol with VBC Hydraulics pumps but only under these conditions: the maximum speed must be 1100 rpm and alternatively the maximum pressure must be 170 bar. Furthermore, the maximum concentration of water-glycol must contain at least 50% oil.
You can add or remove elements from a VBC Hydraulics flow divider, but to do so, we recommend that you contact our sales department because, depending on the number of elements, the fixing methods, the number of inlets, and other details may change and require a case-by-case assessment.
To start a flow divider, the inlet (or starting) pressure must always be at least 20 or 30 bar, under normal operating conditions (i.e., the flow rate listed as recommended in the catalog).
For higher than normal viscosities (greater than 68 cst) and when the number of flow divider elements is large or the flow rate is higher than recommended, the starting pressure values may be higher. In this case, we advise you to contact our technical office to understand together which value is more correct to consider.
Yes, it is possible, but not recommended because internal drainage subjects the flow divider to stress. There is a way to transform the divider from external drainage to internal drainage. To do this, you can consult our catalog of flow dividers.
It can happen. RV series flow dividers have their own accuracy. The physiological error in standard flow dividers is 3% for a load difference of up to 30 bar. Therefore, if the cylinders rise simultaneously within the 3% value, the product is compliant.
The MIA-FD series, on the other hand, is designed for large load differences and has an error of up to 2% with differences of up to 170 bar.
If the error is greater than indicated, there are several possible reasons often related to the system or operating conditions. Contact us for an analysis of the problem.
There is a divider’s own error (3% up to 30 bar pressure difference at the outlets) related to construction tolerances. In the case where the detected error is higher, the misalignment may depend on several factors. If you are interested in learning more, read the article on causes leading to misalignment of flow divider cylinders.
There is a divider’s own error (3% up to 30 bar pressure difference at the outlets) related to construction tolerances. In the case where the detected error is higher, the misalignment may depend on several factors. If you are interested in learning more, read the article on causes leading to misalignment of flow divider cylinders.
It depends on the number of valves in your component. Therefore, we have written two guides to help you perform the calibration correctly. Here are directions for adjusting valves in single-valve RV flow dividers and in dividers with multiple valves.
Questions and information about VBC Hydraulics pumps
XV series hydraulic pumps have replaced those of the previous KV series. From a functional point of view, the products are no different. From a performance point of view, however, the new series is improved over the previous one. To learn more about the features of the two series and their compatibility, please read our in-depth discussion: Differences between VBC Hydraulics KV and XV series hydraulic pumps.
Yes, you can. Read how in the guide on how to change the direction of rotation of VBC Hydraulics pumps.
Yes, you can do this by replacing some components. To find out how, contact our sales department.
You can do this in some cases. It may require a lot of modifications and therefore might be economically too expensive compared to buying a new pump. To know more, contact our sales department.
Yes, you can use water-glycol with VBC Hydraulics pumps but only under these conditions: the maximum speed must be 1100 rpm and alternatively the maximum pressure must be 170 bar. Furthermore, the maximum concentration of water-glycol must contain at least 50% oil.
No, this is not possible. In the food industry, they use stainless steel components and specific products, while VBC Hydraulics components are made of aluminum and steel.
Yes, you can if it is mineral-based hydraulic oil HLP HV DIN 51524.
Yes, it is possible, following the limitations indicated on the initial pages of the catalog. Above 2500-3000 rpm it is advisable to evaluate the use of VITON gaskets and increased connections according to displacement, viscosity, and other parameters.
No. Our motors can only be used with oil.
No, it is not possible. Each manufacturer has its own standards and there are no normalized connections.
Not always. Contact us and we’ll check together to see if it’s possible.
The causes that lead to a pump body failure can be diverse. Usually, the most common are pressure spikes and cyclic loads, but by properly choosing the type of connections, performance and durability can be improved. Of the connections available, the so-called “cross” connection has the least resistance to cyclic loads. Other types are more robust. To learn more, read our article on the most common connections for hydraulic pumps. There is also a special type of pump rupture, called a “V-shaped” pump. This is an infrequent and avoidable occurrence because it is due to pressure on the discharge pipe. To learn more you can read our article on what are the causes of V-shaped body rupture and how to prevent it.
Yes, it is possible, following the limitations indicated on the initial pages of the catalog. Above 2500-3000 rpm it is advisable to evaluate the use of VITON gaskets and increased connections according to displacement, viscosity, and other parameters.
Reversible pumps (also called bi-directional or bisense), once installed, can rotate in two directions: either clockwise or counterclockwise. This is why they are used for special applications. Whereas unidirectional pumps, once inserted in the application, can rotate only in one direction or only in the other direction. Read our in-depth article to understand what the difference is between reversible and unidirectional pumps.
Yes, in some cases this is possible. The transfer of motion in these cases is through the driven shaft, and it is therefore necessary to change the configuration of the final pump to allow coupling. This connection, commonly referred to as “Z-Drive,” uses only the two pumps and additionally requires only the coupling kit. Do you want to know how to make this coupling? We have created a video and a guide that illustrate the steps to follow: How to connect two stages of multiple pumps with a “Z-Drive” connection”.
Questions and information about VBC Hydraulics motors
Yes, you can use water-glycol with VBC Hydraulics engines but only under these conditions: the speed must be a maximum of 1100 rpm and alternatively the maximum pressure must be 170 bar. Furthermore, the maximum concentration of water-glycol must contain at least 50% oil.
No, this is not possible. In the food industry, they use stainless steel components and specific products, while VBC Hydraulics components are made of aluminum and steel.
Yes, you can if it is mineral-based hydraulic oil HLP HV DIN 51524.
Yes, it is possible, following the limitations indicated on the initial pages of the catalog. Above 2500-3000 rpm it is advisable to evaluate the use of VITON gaskets and increased connections according to displacement, viscosity, and other parameters.
No. Our motors can only be used with oil.
Yes, motors can be applied in series, but only if they are equipped with external drainage. In our in-depth discussion on how to use VBC Hydraulics motors in series we explain why.