The type of hydraulic pump you need depends mostly on its power source. Hand pumps run on operator effort. Electric pumps run on AC or battery power. Air pumps run on shop air. Gas pumps run on a small engine. Each one trades off speed, portability and cost differently, so the right choice depends on where you work, how often you cycle and how many cylinders you run.
This guide covers each type, compares them side by side, and explains how to match a pump to your cylinder. If you haven’t chosen a cylinder yet, start with Single-Acting vs. Double-Acting Hydraulic Cylinders.
A hand pump builds pressure as the operator works the lever. Hand pumps need no power source, they’re light enough to carry, and they cost the least, so they suit field service, maintenance and occasional lifting.
Many hand pumps are two-speed. A high-flow, low-pressure first stage moves the cylinder quickly until it reaches the load. Then the pump switches to a high-pressure stage to do the work. That cuts the number of strokes you need and reduces operator fatigue.
The trade-off is speed and effort. Hand pumps are best for small to mid-size cylinders, short jobs and low cycle counts.
Power Team hand pumps are rated to 10,000 psi (700 bar) and come in steel or lightweight aluminum. The single-speed P12, P23 and P55 are simple, compact pumps for single-acting cylinders. Two-speed models, including the P19, P59, P157, P159, P300 and P460, add a high-flow first stage that brings the cylinder to the load faster with fewer handle strokes. For double-acting cylinders, choose a “D” model such as the P157D, P159D, P300D or P460D. For ultra-high-pressure work, the P59L is rated to 1,500 bar (21,750 psi).
Compare reservoir sizes and models in the Power Team pump selection guide, or look up spec sheets in the Document Finder.
An electric pump uses a motor to drive the pump. Electric pumps deliver far more oil per minute than hand pumps, so cylinders extend faster and operators do less work. That makes them the standard choice for production work, frequent cycling, large cylinders and systems with several cylinders.
AC-powered pumps suit shops and plants. Battery and DC-powered pumps bring that speed to jobsites without an outlet. In one foundation repair project, a Power Team PE553 electric pump drove a 25-ton C256C cylinder to lift homes in tight crawl spaces.
Electric pumps cost more and weigh more than hand pumps. They also need a power source, or a charged battery, at the job.
Power Team electric pumps are two-speed and rated to 10,000 psi, with options for single- or double-acting cylinders:
Need something specific? Power Team’s Assemble-to-Order pump program lets you choose the motor, valves, gauges, pressure switches, pendants and reservoir, and Power Team assembles and tests the complete pump. For jobsite buying tips, see criteria for choosing portable electric hydraulic pumps.
An air-driven pump, often called an air-over-hydraulic pump, uses compressed shop air to generate hydraulic pressure. A small amount of air pressure becomes much higher hydraulic pressure.
Air pumps are a good fit where compressed air is already available, such as maintenance shops, vehicle service and assembly lines. They also suit environments where electric motors aren’t wanted. They’re faster than hand pumps and usually lighter and less expensive than electric pumps. Their output, though, depends on the supply from your compressor.
Power Team air/hydraulic pumps are used where air is the preferred power source or electricity isn’t available, including petrochemical, mining and other flammable or explosive environments. The compact PA6 Series runs on 40 to 100 psi shop air and drives single- or double-acting cylinders, and it’s a common power source for auto body and frame-straightening equipment. The PA9 Series is a single-speed pump for single-acting cylinders and portable tools, and it’s easier to operate than a hand pump. For low-pressure (3,200 psi) cylinders, the PA50 Series is available, and larger two-speed air pumps deliver more oil for bigger cylinders and multi-cylinder setups.
A gas-powered pump uses a small engine to drive the pump. It delivers electric-pump speed with no outlet, battery or compressor, which makes it the choice for remote and off-grid work like construction, mining and bridge projects.
In a remote bridge launching project, Power Team cylinders and a gas-powered pump launched a bridge without a crane in an off-grid location. Gas pumps are heavier and louder than the other types, and they produce exhaust, so they belong outdoors or in well-ventilated spaces.
Power Team gasoline-driven pumps are two-speed and work with single- or double-acting cylinders:
| Hand | Electric | Air | Gas | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power source | Operator | AC or battery/DC | Compressed air | Engine |
| Speed | Slowest | Fast | Moderate to fast | Fast |
| Portability | Highest | Moderate (battery: high) | Moderate | Moderate |
| Operator effort | High | Low | Low | Low |
| Relative cost | Lowest | Higher | Moderate | Higher |
| Best for | Field service, occasional use | Production, high cycling, multiple cylinders | Shops with air supply | Remote, off-grid sites |
| Power Team examples | P55, P59, P159, P460D | PB10, PE30, PE55, PB43 | PA6, PA9, PA50 | PG30, PG55, PG120 |
You’ll also see pumps classified by how they move oil internally:
For lifting, pressing and bolting tools, the power source usually matters more than the internal design. Mobile equipment like boom lifts and service trucks typically uses compact power units instead. For example, a Stone 48VDC power unit runs portable tire changers, and Stone FC-420 and FC-939 units power scissor boom lifts.
Work through these questions in order:
Also check that the pump’s pressure rating matches your cylinder’s, and use the fluid the manufacturer recommends. Our guide on how to select the right hydraulic fluid covers the options. The Power Team pump selection guide walks through the same questions and matches each pump series to cylinder tonnage.
What are the main types of hydraulic pumps? By power source: hand, electric, air and gas. By internal design: gear, vane and piston.
Which hydraulic pump is fastest? Electric and gas pumps deliver the most flow, so they move cylinders fastest. Hand pumps are the slowest.
Can one pump run more than one cylinder? Yes, with a manifold, as long as the reservoir holds enough oil for all the cylinders and the valve suits the cylinder type.
Do I need a different pump for a double-acting cylinder? Yes. A double-acting cylinder needs a pump with a 4-way valve and two hoses. A single-acting pump can’t retract it under power.
When should I choose a hand pump over a powered pump? When jobs are occasional, cylinders are small to mid-size and portability matters more than speed.
How to be apply Hydraulic Pumps? Learn more about Hydraulics by reading about Hydraulic Pump 101.
Hydraulic Technologies offers hand, electric, air and gas pumps, along with cylinders, valves and hoses, through Power Team and Stone. Look up spec sheets in the Document Finder, or browse the product catalog.
Our products are sold through authorized distributors. Find a distributor near you, or contact our team for help choosing a pump.