A quick look at hydraulic fan drives

March 24, 2012

I came across this video of a man showing the components in a hydraulic fan drive used on a school bus. He also explains some of the operation.

However, he repeatedly calls the hydraulic motor (which drives the fan) a pump. It's not a pump; it's a motor — in this case a gear motor. The hydraulic pump (the vehicle's power steering pump, in this case) transmits rotational power from the engine as hydraulic power to drive the motor. The hydraulic motor, in turn, transmits the hydraulic power as rotational power to drive the fan.

Otherwise, I think this is a good video — easy to see and hear everything.

About the Author

Alan Hitchcox Blog | Editor in Chief

Alan joined Hydraulics & Pneumatics in 1987 with experience as a technical magazine editor and in industrial sales. He graduated with a BS in engineering technology from Franklin University and has also worked as a mechanic and service coordinator. He has taken technical courses in fluid power and electronic and digital control at the Milwaukee School of Engineering and the University of Wisconsin and has served on numerous industry committees.