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Mobile Equipment Hydraulics

Two aerial work platforms with raised boom baskets and a telehandler with a fork attachment against a clear sky

Mobile Machinery

Mobile Equipment Hydraulics

Hydraulic Supply Company stocks the mobile equipment hydraulic components that keep forklifts, telehandlers, aerial work platforms, sweepers, and other self-propelled machines moving: hydrostatic pumps and motors, steering units, control valves, and hose.

Call (800) 507-9651

Every piece of mobile hydraulic equipment is built on the same core: an engine-driven pump, control valves, actuators, and the hose that connects them. Heavy duty mobile hydraulic systems ask more of those parts than stationary machines do, with constant vibration, shock loads, and exposure to weather and road debris. Hydraulic Supply Company supplies mobile hydraulic solutions for the complete system, from drive and steering to work circuits. We also stock hydraulic components for mobile equipment from Eaton and other leading manufacturers.

Every HSC branch is a certified Danfoss Aeroquip Hose Center. We fabricate replacement hose assemblies the same day with no minimum order, and for machines that cannot come to us, our 24/7 on-site mobile services team brings the repair to the jobsite or yard.

Shop 70,000+ products online with same-day shipping on orders placed before 2 PM EST, or visit any branch for counter service. For OEM builds and system upgrades, our engineering team can help specify industrial mobile hydraulics from component selection to full system design.

Certified Danfoss Aeroquip Hose Center

Same-day custom hose assembly

24/7 on-site mobile service

No minimum order

Hydrostatic Drive Components

Hydrostatic Pumps, Motors, and Transmissions for Mobile Machinery

Many telehandlers, compact loaders, aerial work platforms, and sweepers use a hydrostatic drive: a variable displacement piston pump driving one or more hydraulic motors in a closed loop. It gives smooth, variable ground speed and dynamic braking without a mechanical gearbox. HSC stocks hydrostatic transmissions, variable displacement piston pumps, and hydraulic motors for drive and propel circuits.

Work and steering circuits on the same machines usually run from a fixed displacement gear pump, which HSC also stocks for replacement.

Common Applications

Telehandler and compact loader drive systems

Aerial work platform propel circuits

Street sweeper drive and brush motors

Utility and turf vehicle hydrostatic transmissions

Gear pump replacement on work and steering circuits

Shop Hydrostatic Transmissions

Close-up of a hydraulic pump with a crimped hose fitting and steel elbow on orange mobile equipment

Forklift operator station with steering wheel, seat, and mast

Hydraulic Steering

Hydraulic Steering Units for Mobile Equipment

Most mobile machines steer hydraulically. A steering control unit at the base of the column meters oil to the steering cylinder in proportion to how far the wheel turns, with no mechanical linkage to the axle. HSC stocks hydraulic steering units and accessories for replacement on forklifts, telehandlers, sweepers, and utility vehicles.

Replacement hydraulic cylinders and seal kits cover the other half of the steering circuit, and HSC's hydraulic repair and service team can rebuild steering units and cylinders that are not stocked.

Common Applications

Steering unit replacement on forklifts and telehandlers

Steering cylinder replacement and rebuilds

Sweeper and utility vehicle steering circuits

Aerial work platform steer axles

Seal kit replacement on leaking steering cylinders

Shop Steering Units

Mobile Control Valves

Directional Control Valves for Mobile Hydraulic Systems

Every work function on a mobile machine, from mast lift and tilt to boom extend and rotate, runs through a directional control valve. Sectional valves let you add functions one section at a time, monoblock valves keep a compact footprint, and proportional valves give the fine control that electronic joystick and machine control systems need.

Counterbalance valves hold loads on booms and masts if a hose or valve fails. For operator controls away from the valve bank, HSC also carries hydraulic remote controls.

Common Applications

Forklift mast lift, tilt, and side-shift valve banks

Telehandler and aerial platform boom functions

Adding an auxiliary function with a sectional valve

Counterbalance valves for load holding on booms and masts

Cable remote controls for relocated valve banks

Shop Directional Control Valves

Hydraulic valve block with crimped hoses and steel fittings mounted under orange mobile equipment

Forklift with a clamp attachment and hydraulic hoses routed along the mast in an industrial yard

Hydraulic Hoses for Mobile Equipment

Mobile Equipment Hydraulic Hose

Mobile hydraulic applications put hose through constant flexing, vibration, and abrasion. SAE 100R2 wire braid covers most work and steering circuits, spiral hose handles high-impulse drive and boom circuits, and thermoplastic hose saves weight on booms and tight mast routings. HSC stocks hydraulic hose in bulk and builds custom hose assemblies at every branch.

Hose protection sleeves and guards extend assembly life where hose rubs on frames and booms, and hydraulic quick disconnects make attachment changes fast and clean.

Common Applications

Forklift mast lift and tilt circuits

Aerial work platform boom and jib circuits

Hydrostatic drive loop and case drain lines

Steering circuit hose replacement

Quick-disconnect lines for attachments

Shop Hydraulic Hoses

Frequently Asked Questions: Mobile Equipment Hydraulics

What is a heavy duty mobile hydraulic system?

A heavy duty mobile hydraulic system is the complete hydraulic circuit on a self-propelled machine: an engine-driven pump, control valves, cylinders and motors, a reservoir, and the hose that connects them. Unlike a stationary system, it has to run through constant vibration, shock loads, and changing weather. Most machines combine a hydrostatic drive circuit with separate work and steering circuits.

How does a hydrostatic drive work on mobile equipment?

A variable displacement piston pump sends oil directly to one or more hydraulic motors in a closed loop. Changing the pump's displacement changes the machine's speed and direction without a mechanical gearbox, and slowing the pump provides dynamic braking. A small charge pump keeps the loop full and cool.

What hydraulic hose is best for mobile equipment?

The best hose depends on the circuit. SAE 100R2 wire braid suits most work and steering circuits, spiral hose suits high-impulse drive and boom circuits, and thermoplastic hose suits booms and tight routings where weight and bend radius matter. Match the inside diameter, working pressure, and fitting type on each end, and add protective sleeving where hose contacts the frame.

Why is the steering hard or slow on my forklift or telehandler?

Common causes are low oil level or a worn pump that cannot deliver enough flow, air in the steering circuit, a worn or contaminated steering control unit, and internal leakage in the steering cylinder. Check fluid level and filter condition first, then look for leaks and bleed air from the circuit before replacing the steering unit.

What is the difference between a sectional and a monoblock control valve?

A sectional valve is built from individual sections bolted together, one per function, so functions can be added or replaced later. A monoblock valve machines all functions into a single body, which is more compact and has fewer leak points but cannot be expanded. Sectional valves suit machines that may gain attachments; monoblock valves suit fixed, space-limited designs.