{"id":2712,"date":"2024-03-07T16:42:12","date_gmt":"2024-03-07T15:42:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/encyclopedia\/how-does-hydraulics-work\/"},"modified":"2026-04-15T11:52:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T09:52:06","slug":"how-does-hydraulics-work","status":"publish","type":"encyclopedia","link":"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/how-does-hydraulics-work\/","title":{"rendered":"How Does Hydraulics Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"2712\" class=\"elementor elementor-2712 elementor-1146\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-735b55f8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"735b55f8\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2820cb8b\" data-id=\"2820cb8b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9fb9997 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9fb9997\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1>How Does Hydraulics Work?<\/h1><p>If you are wondering, &ldquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/how-does-hydraulics-work\/\" target=\"_self\" title='How Does Hydraulics Work?If you are wondering, \"how does hydraulics work?\" we have compiled some valuable information for you here.Hydraulics is the science of transmitting pressures and forces via liquids.&hellip;' class=\"encyclopedia\">how does hydraulics work?<\/a>&rdquo; we have compiled some valuable information for you here.<\/p><p>Hydraulics is the science of transmitting pressures and forces via liquids. &ldquo;Hydros&rdquo; is ancient Greek for &ldquo;water&rdquo;. A characteristic feature of hydraulics is its ability to generate very large forces.  <\/p><h2>How Does Hydraulics Work? The Basics. <\/h2><p>Hydraulics utilizes a property of liquid media. Unlike gases, liquids cannot be compressed. This means that in a closed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/hydraulic-system\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Hydraulic system: design &amp; applications explained simplyA hydraulic system is used to apply large forces in a targeted manner over a defined distance with minimal effort. The underlying hydraulic principle&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">hydraulic system<\/a>, the same pressure prevails at every point. This greatly simplifies the construction of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/hydraulische-anlagen.html\">hydraulic systems<\/a>. Unlike cable pulls or levers, hydraulic lines can be laid practically anywhere and routed optimally to the respective actuators.    <\/p><h3>Components of a Hydraulic System<\/h3><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/hydraulic-tank\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Hydraulic tank: Reservoir for the pressure mediumThe hydraulic tank is the reservoir for the hydraulic fluid or the hydraulic medium of a hydraulic system. As a rule, this is a&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">Hydraulic Tank<\/a><\/li><li>Pressure Generator<\/li><li>Consumer<\/li><li>Lines<\/li><li>Valves<\/li><\/ul><p>The medium, usually hydraulic oil, is filled into the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/hydraulic-tank\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Hydraulic tank: Reservoir for the pressure mediumThe hydraulic tank is the reservoir for the hydraulic fluid or the hydraulic medium of a hydraulic system. As a rule, this is a&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">hydraulic tank<\/a>. The oil flows past a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/check-valve\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Check ValveA check valve allows the flow of the medium to pass through in only one direction. In most applications, the medium is a fluid, hydraulic fluid, or gas. In&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">check valve<\/a> and to a pressure generator. This pressurizes the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/hydraulic-system\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Hydraulic system: design &amp; applications explained simplyA hydraulic system is used to apply large forces in a targeted manner over a defined distance with minimal effort. The underlying hydraulic principle&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">hydraulic system<\/a> behind the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/check-valve\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Check ValveA check valve allows the flow of the medium to pass through in only one direction. In most applications, the medium is a fluid, hydraulic fluid, or gas. In&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">check valve<\/a>. The lines transmit this pressure to the actuator, which performs its intended work. When the valve is reset, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/hydraulic-system\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Hydraulic system: design &amp; applications explained simplyA hydraulic system is used to apply large forces in a targeted manner over a defined distance with minimal effort. The underlying hydraulic principle&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">hydraulic system<\/a> depressurizes again. The oil flows back into the tank, and the actuator returns to its initial position. A typical example of such a basic <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/hydraulic-system\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Hydraulic system: design &amp; applications explained simplyA hydraulic system is used to apply large forces in a targeted manner over a defined distance with minimal effort. The underlying hydraulic principle&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">hydraulic system<\/a> is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/hydraulic-jack\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Hydraulic jack: lifting heavy loads with little effortHydraulic jacks are technically sophisticated tools that can be used to move even very large loads with minimal muscle power. Compared with traditional&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">hydraulic jack<\/a>. A small piston serves as the pressure generator, continuously transferring pressure into the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/hydraulic-system\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Hydraulic system: design &amp; applications explained simplyA hydraulic system is used to apply large forces in a targeted manner over a defined distance with minimal effort. The underlying hydraulic principle&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">hydraulic system<\/a>. This pressure is absorbed by the slave cylinder of the jack. The piston of the slave cylinder extends proportionally to the immersing master cylinder of the pressure generator, so the pressure always remains constant. Once the slave cylinder reaches its end position, further pressure application is no longer possible. In this case, an overflow valve prevents overpressure from causing damage.            <\/p><h3>Force Amplification with Hydraulics<\/h3><p>One of the greatest <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/advantages-of-hydraulics\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Advantages of Hydraulics - Power Transmission through FluidsHydraulics is the transmission of forces and pressures through fluids. This concept is technically complex but offers numerous advantages. For some tasks, hydraulics&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">advantages of hydraulics<\/a> is its ability to generate high forces. Force amplification occurs proportionally to the cross-sectional areas of the pistons of the master and slave cylinders. Master cylinders are significantly smaller than slave cylinders. Due to their small cross-section, their pistons can immerse deeply into the pressure tank of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/hydraulic-system\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Hydraulic system: design &amp; applications explained simplyA hydraulic system is used to apply large forces in a targeted manner over a defined distance with minimal effort. The underlying hydraulic principle&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">hydraulic system<\/a>. The pressure is immediately distributed over the effective surface of the piston in the slave cylinder. The piston yields to the pressure and extends. Although the travel distance of the extending piston is significantly shorter than that of the immersing master cylinder, the slave piston extends with a proportionally higher force. To bring the slave piston to its end position, the master piston must immerse accordingly often. This explains why a simple jack can lift a vehicle weighing tons. Regardless of how complex or extensive a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/hydraulic-system\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Hydraulic system: design &amp; applications explained simplyA hydraulic system is used to apply large forces in a targeted manner over a defined distance with minimal effort. The underlying hydraulic principle&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">hydraulic system<\/a> is, these basic principles always remain the same.          <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-17578f6\" data-id=\"17578f6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-18d5d30 elementor-widget elementor-widget-sidebar\" data-id=\"18d5d30\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"sidebar.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"display:none;\">Search<\/div><form role=\"search\" method=\"get\" class=\"encyclopedia search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/encyclopedia\/\">\n    \n    \n    <label class=\"screen-reader-text\" 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