The difference between low & high-pressure systems

Many hydraulic system designers tend to immediately go straight for high pressure systems, often because of the components that are tested and are known for working well together. High pressure systems are often designed due to their use of smaller cylinders, which may be a requirement if the system needs to fit in a small space.

Thus being said, if it’s the monetary factor you’re focusing on (which of course most designers don’t) low pressure systems are best due to their cheap parts. With lower forces taking place inside the system, less durable materials can be used such as alloys or even plastic. If you require a light system, you should probably first look at whether a low-pressure option would fit your needs.

The fundamental differences between high- and low-pressure systems are their reservoir sizes. This could be an issue if you’re needing a small system, as the reservoir size can have an effect on the pressure of the system.

Low pressure systems are usually very reliable and offer you a lot of flexibility in regards to material choice. Also, the fact that they’re not constantly under high pressure means that seal failure and leakages are much less likely.

To summarise, if high pressure isn’t an essential requirement for your system, you may want to consider a low pressure option. Yes, high pressure systems can be more aesthetically pleasing what with them requiring a smaller cylinder, yet these can be more prone to seal failures and leakages than a low-pressure system. Low-pressure systems use cheaper, lighter materials and are less likely to cause you any issues.

Here at Yuken we have an expert design team with years of experience creating unique hydraulic systems. We can create you a system specific to your needs and we’ll work to ensure you’re getting a design that performs to the best of its ability.

To find out more about our design services click here.