Why Are Hydraulics More Powerful Than Electric Motors?

It’s not uncommon for industries to use equipment powered by both electric and hydraulic motors. Some organizations deploy one or the other for specific tasks, while others see them as interchangeable tools. This may hold for certain operations that perform jobs that do not necessarily push the loads of motors to their maximum capacity. However, the stress and strain on motors under adversity separate hydraulic and electric motors.

While hydraulic and electric motors may be designed to perform the same basic tasks, their internal designs are vastly different. When deployed for rugged applications, a stark contrast exists that favors hydraulics. If you are considering purchasing equipment, these are reasons why hydraulics are more potent than electric motors in challenging, real-world settings.

Hydraulic Motors More Cost-Effective

The cost of electrically-powered linear actuators tends to run much higher than hydraulic motors. Electric units cannot usually operate for long periods without overheating. They tend to be too bulky for spaces such as automotive facilities.

Linear actuators with hydraulic motors employ a noncompressible liquid that pushes the pistons inside the cylinders. The motion and, ultimately, torque generation are produced by pressure repeatedly moving pistons and retracting them within the cylinders. That’s generally why hydraulic motors are more suitable for comprehensive industrial applications that require significant force. Much smaller hydraulics produce torque equal to large electrics, making them more cost effective to purchase and operate.

Hydraulics Motors Handle Harsh Environments Better

The winding parts of electric motors make them more vulnerable to severe weather and environmental conditions. For instance, an electric motor could be negatively affected when used on a wind turbine at sea. Spraying salt water is likely to impact the motor’s rotating parts.

The same holds for oil and gas sector use, where rigs and equipment are located in hot, dusty areas across the Southwest, among others. The possibility of a malfunction isn’t worth the loss of productivity and cost, given that hydraulics outperform them in these settings.

The fundamental design of hydraulic motors allows them to thrive in many of the most intense and harsh work environments. The simplicity of pistons creating energy by moving through cylinders essentially eliminates the effects of dust, salt and other potential impediments. Many mining, agricultural and construction outfits prefer hydraulic machinery and tools over those with electric motors.

Hydraulics Handle Stalling Loads Better

The resiliency of hydraulic motors generally outpaces that of electricity-driven units. Electric motors typically struggle against high loads, resulting in early stalling. And it’s not uncommon for electric motors to sustain damage when overwhelmed.

Hydraulics tend to be more forgiving when heavy loads come into play. They power through loads that would ordinarily shut down an electric unit and stall only once a much heavier load burdens them. Hydraulics over electric units would better serve industries requiring motors to withstand heavy loads.

Hydraulics Provide Enhanced Agility

There’s little dispute about whether electric motors can create tremendous torque. They certainly can. But the primary issue is the practicality of electric motors. These motors that generate high-torque loads tend to be far more significant than their hydraulic counterparts. Bulky electric units are often impractical for field use in oil and gas and wind turbine applications.

By contrast, hydraulic motors can typically generate an equal torque load at a fraction of the electric unit’s size. The difference makes hydraulic motors more mobile and practical for use in limited spaces.

In construction, oil and gas, petrochemical production and wind power generation, it’s crucial to have powerful, cost-effective equipment that stands up to adversity. Aztec carries industry-leading Enerpac bolting products and tools. For more information, contact Aztec Bolting today. We service Midland, Sweetwater, Dallas-Fort Worth, the Greater Houston area, Corpus Christi, Texas, Oklahoma City, OK and Lafayette, LA.