Vickers Hydrokraft PVX PFX Piston Pumps
The Vickers by Danfoss Hydrokraft PVX and PFX series are open-circuit axial piston pumps of swashplate design, built for reliable operation and long service life. PVX pumps offer variable displacement; PFX pumps are the fixed-displacement equivalent, available in the four smaller sizes only. The range was previously marketed as Eaton Hydrokraft; it is now supplied under the Vickers by Danfoss brand, following Danfoss’s 2021 acquisition of Eaton’s hydraulics business.
The pumps use a robust housing enclosure and tension-rod design that increase durability and help reduce operating noise, together with oversized shafts and bearings for extended bearing life. Rotating and pressure-loaded parts are pressure-balanced for greater efficiency and serviceability. A thru-drive option allows a second pump to be mounted from the same shaft, and individual pump sections can be paired to form combination (tandem) units, available as front, middle or rear sections.
PVX pumps are available in five displacement sizes from 66 to 250 cm³/rev; PFX pumps are available in four sizes from 66 to 180 cm³/rev. A modular, “building block” design and a wide range of displacement control, mounting, port and seal options allow the pump to be configured for a broad range of open-circuit hydraulic system requirements, with an integrated pilot pump, filter and pressure relief valves available where needed.
In addition to standard mineral hydraulic oils, PVX/PFX pumps are rated for use with water glycol, phosphate ester and other fire-resistant or synthetic fluids, subject to seal material selection and, in some cases, reduced maximum speed and bearing life; see Fluid Compatibility below.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
| Technology | Axial piston, swashplate design, open-circuit |
| Displacement range (PVX, variable) | 66 to 250 cm³/rev (4.0 to 15.3 in³/rev) |
| Displacement range (PFX, fixed) | 66 to 180 cm³/rev (4.0 to 11.0 in³/rev); not available in 250 size |
| Models | 66, 90, 130, 180, 250 (PVX); 66, 90, 130, 180 (PFX) |
| Rated pressure (100% duty cycle) | 350 bar (5,075 psi) |
| Maximum pressure (to ISO 5598:2008) | 420 bar (6,090 psi) |
| Speed range | 150 to 1800 rev/min; higher speeds available on request |
| Direction of rotation | Clockwise standard; counter-clockwise on request |
| Mounting | Flange or foot-mounted; combination (tandem) units foot-mounted only |
| Ambient temperature range | -20 to +50°C (-4 to +122°F) |
| Hydraulic fluid temperature range | -25°C on start-up, +90°C maximum (-13°F on start-up, +194°F maximum) |
| Viscosity range (continuous operation) | 10 to 75 cSt |
| Maximum permissible start viscosity | 1000 cSt |
| Fluid cleanliness | ISO 4406 18/15/13 or better |
| Hydraulic fluid | Mineral oil to DIN 51524 part 2; alternative fluids available, see Fluid Compatibility below |
| Main ports | SAE-pattern ISO 6162-1 (inlet) and ISO 6162-2 (outlet) flange connections, radial or axial (in-line) port orientation depending on size |
| Thru-drive | Available in SAE A, B or C options (size-dependent), plus a dedicated pilot pump option, enabling multiple pump installations from a single shaft |
Mass, Torque and Power by Model
| Model | Displacement (cm³/rev) | Mass (kg) | Driving torque at 350 bar, 1500 rev/min (Nm) | Power consumption at 350 bar, 1500 rev/min (kW) |
| 66 | 66 | 55 | 367 | 57.8 |
| 90 | 90 | 75 | 501 | 78.8 |
| 130 | 130 | 106 | 724 | 113.8 |
| 180 | 180 | 114 | 1002 | 157.5 |
| 250 | 250 (PVX only) | 212 | 1392 | 218.8 |
Control Options
The PVX series offers the following displacement control options; PFX models are supplied without displacement control. Maximum pump flow can be limited mechanically to between 50% and 100% by a screw on all control types.
DF – Pressure compensator
Standard control type. System pressure remains constant across the flow range and can be set manually, hydraulically or electronically. Options include a load-sensing variant (standard Δp of 15 bar) and a 2-level pressure compensator switched by a solenoid valve.
LR – Power limiter control
Holds drive torque, and therefore power used, constant at a given speed across a continuously adjustable power hyperbola between minimum and maximum. Available with or without pressure compensation and with or without load sensing.
ST – Electronic flow control (neutral at maximum displacement)
Electrohydraulic control acting on the swashplate via a proportional valve, with electrical swashplate angle feedback for a highly accurate, dynamic response (hysteresis approximately 1% of end value). Can be combined with hydromechanical pressure and/or power limitation. Requires a minimum operating pressure above 25 bar; below this the pump automatically moves to maximum displacement. ST supersedes older-style SP control on PVX pumps; see review note.
FM – Screw adjustment flow control
Manual flow control by screw adjustment, with a range of 50% to 100% of maximum displacement. Adjustable only when load pressure is 30 bar or below; the setting cannot be changed during operation.
ZP – Dual displacement control
Switches pump flow between two pre-set displacements using an on/off solenoid valve. Standard setting is maximum displacement with the solenoid de-energised and 50% displacement with the solenoid energised; other levels can be specified to order.
SP – Electronic flow control (neutral at zero displacement)
Electrohydraulic control acting on the swashplate via a proportional valve, with electrical swashplate angle feedback (hysteresis approximately 1% of end value). Distinct from ST in that its neutral position is zero displacement rather than maximum; can be combined with hydromechanical pressure limitation. See review note regarding naming overlap with ST.
ES – Electric motor flow control
Electromechanical control using a 3-phase electric servo-motor, worm gear and 4 or 8 limit switches, with an optional potentiometer for position feedback. Available to special order only; no pressure or power limiter option. Response time from zero to maximum displacement ranges from approximately 7.5 seconds (fastest, 66/90 sizes) to 86 seconds (slowest, 130/180 sizes), depending on size and response option selected.
Fluid Compatibility
Where an alternative fluid is used, maximum speed and expected bearing life may be reduced depending on pump size, as set out below.
| Fluid type | Classification | Rated pressure | Maximum speed | Seal material | Max. temperature | Bearing life |
| Water glycol | HFC | 250 bar | 1250 to 1800 rev/min depending on size | NBR | 45°C | 25 to 100% of standard bearing life |
| Phosphate ester | HFDR | 350 bar | 1000 to 1500 rev/min depending on size | FKM | 60°C | 100% of standard bearing life |
| Glycol-based fire-resistant | HFDU | 350 bar | 1000 to 1500 rev/min depending on size | FKM | 60°C | 100% of standard bearing life |
| Ester-based fire-resistant | HFDU | 350 bar | 1250 to 1800 rev/min depending on size | FKM | 60°C | 100% of standard bearing life |
| Synthetic ester | HEES | 350 bar | 1250 to 1800 rev/min depending on size | FKM | 60°C | 100% of standard bearing life |
Typical Applications
- Primary metals power units
- Marine cranes
- Thrusters
- Hydraulic power units
- Large presses and forges
- Recycling shears
- Test stands
- Marine engines
Downloads
The following parts manuals are available from Danfoss for service and maintenance reference:
Contact Us for further technical details and configuration options.