Oilgear

Oilgear is a U.S. -based manufacturer of high-performance hydraulic components and fluid power systems headquartered in Traverse City, Michigan. Founded in 1921, the company is one of the pioneers of industrial hydraulics and specializes in high-pressure axial piston pumps, control valves, and complete drive systems for demanding applications in heavy industry, oil and gas, and the offshore sector.

Oilgear’s History and Milestones

Oilgear’s history dates back to the early 1920s. The company was founded in 1921 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and grew out of hydraulic work for the construction equipment manufacturer Bucyrus-Erie. In its early years, Oilgear manufactured hydraulic presses and broaching machines. The company weathered the Great Depression and gradually expanded its product portfolio in the 1930s.

From Component Manufacturer to System Integrator

In 1932, Oilgear began manufacturing radial piston pumps, paving the way for its transition from a pure mechanical engineering firm to a manufacturer of hydraulic components. In the 1950s, the company developed electrically actuated servo variable-displacement pumps and established its own Servo-Control division. This step laid the foundation for the later integration of electronics and hydraulics, which would define Oilgear for decades to come.

In the mid-1960s, Oilgear launched its first axial piston pump series (PVT series) and simultaneously began its international expansion. By 1965, the company had established branches in Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, and Japan. In the 1980s, Oilgear was among the first companies to combine microprocessors with hydraulic systems. In 1983, the company introduced its first PC-based control system for hydraulic presses. The introduction of the PVK axial piston pump series in 1989 and the PVV, PVG, and PVZ series in the early 1990s solidified its position in the high-pressure segment.

Acquisition by Texas Hydraulics

In 2006, Oilgear was acquired by investor Mason Wells and delisted from the stock exchange. On March 27, 2018, Texas Hydraulics, a portfolio company of Wynnchurch Capital, acquired the Oilgear Company. The acquisition was part of a strategy to create a broader platform for comprehensive hydraulic solutions. Since then, Oilgear has operated as an independent brand within the Texas Hydraulics Group and has retained its product portfolio as well as its global service and manufacturing locations.

Oilgear Hydraulic Products

Oilgear’s portfolio includes a wide range of hydraulic valves designed for high pressures, dynamic control, and long service life under harsh conditions. The product range is primarily divided into pumps, valves, rotary actuators, and complete system solutions.

Axial-piston pumps

Axial piston pumps form the core of the Oilgear portfolio. The company offers both variable-displacement and fixed-displacement pumps in a swivel-disc design.

The variable-displacement axial piston pumps achieve operating pressures of up to 450 bar at speeds of up to 3,000 rpm. Flow rate adjustment is controlled via hydraulic, electrohydraulic, or servo-electronic controls. For standard industrial applications, pressure regulators, load-sensing controls, and electric proportional controls are used. The pumps feature hydrostatically balanced cylinder blocks and robust sliding shoe bearings, which ensure reliable operation even at high speeds and under varying pressures.

The positive-displacement pumps, including the FCS series from Oilgear Towler, are designed as check-valve pumps for continuous operation up to 1,035 bar (15,000 psi). This series is used for high-pressure injection, fracturing applications, and as a feed pump for intensifier systems.

Radial Piston Pumps and Specialty Pumps

Oilgear’s tradition of radial piston pumps dates back to 1932. This pump design is characterized by high robustness and the ability to operate reliably even at very high pressures and with low-viscosity fluids. Oilgear uses radial piston pumps in industrial high-pressure systems where consistent flow is required at pressures significantly above the typical range for axial piston pumps.

Another specialty product is the Transfer Barrier Pump, a patented system for pumping and compressing fluids and gases. This pump operates with phosphate esters (Skydrol, HyJet), water-oil emulsions (95/5, 98/2), and pure water. It isolates aggressive or low-lubricity media from the mechanical drive components and is used in the aerospace industry, in test facilities, and in power generation.

Hydraulic Valves

Oilgear manufactures a comprehensive range of hydraulic valves, ranging from standard directional control valves and cartridge valves to specialty valves for offshore applications.

• Directional control valves: Spool valves in various sizes and pressure ratings, available as standard industrial valves or as environmentally sealed variants for subsea applications up to 1,000 bar.
• Pre-fill and Bleed Valves: Up to size class 450 for high flow rates on presses. They enable rapid filling of large cylinder chambers at low pressure and isolate the cylinder for the high-pressure phase. The design includes threaded and DIN cartridge versions.
• Cartridge Valves: Screw-in and slip-in valves for pressure, directional, and logic functions, rated up to 1,400 bar. The modular design allows for high functional density in hydraulic blocks.
• Servo and Proportional Valves: Spool valves and special designs for precise flow and speed control in closed-loop systems. The SVX proportional throttle valves enable sensitive control of press, test bench, and motion compensation systems.

Rotary Actuators

Oilgear supplies axially mounted rotary actuators (AM Series) with high torque density for space-saving installations. These actuators generate precise rotary movements with exact torque and position control. Integration with closed-loop electronic control systems and diagnostic systems—as seen in the EAS-i cylinder actuators—expands the range of functions beyond purely hydraulic control. Applications include setup movements in metalworking, handling systems in the offshore sector, and specialized applications in the defense sector.

Hydraulic System Solutions and Press Technology

Beyond simply supplying components, Oilgear positions itself as a system integrator for complex hydraulic projects. Its system solutions include complete hydraulic power units (HPUs), press controls, and custom drive systems.

Forging and Extrusion Presses

Oilgear holds a particularly strong market position in the field of hydraulic presses. The company develops and supplies complete control and drive systems for open-die and die-forging presses as well as for extrusion presses (aluminum, copper, brass). These systems integrate high-pressure piston pumps, large cylinders, pre-fill and bleed valves, logic blocks with proportional and servo valves, and electronic controls into turnkey drive solutions.

The requirements for forging presses are diverse: high forces with large stroke diameters, rapid ram approach, precise forming speed and force control, and fast retraction. Oilgear meets these requirements through a combination of high-performance pumps, properly sized pre-fill valves, and dynamic proportional valves. The electronic control cards (EPC cards) handle the closed-loop control of force, position, and speed.

Hydraulic Power Units and Offshore Systems

Oilgear designs and manufactures hydraulic power units for a wide variety of industrial and maritime applications. In the offshore sector, the systems include pump sets for ROV hydraulics, subsea control systems, chemical injection, and motion compensation. The power units include axial piston or fixed-displacement pumps, accumulator banks, filters, valve manifolds, and electronic controls.

Particularly in the subsea sector, the pumps and valves must handle low-viscosity control fluids (Pelagic, Oceanic, Erifon) at pressures up to 1,000 bar and flow rates up to 975 l/min. Oilgear has specifically optimized its components for these operating conditions, making the brand a sought-after choice for offshore hydraulics.

Global Presence and European Branches

Oilgear has manufacturing and service locations in North America, Europe, and Asia. Its European operations are divided among locations in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Oilgear Towler GmbH in Germany

The German subsidiary operates under the name Oilgear Towler GmbH and is headquartered in Hattersheim near Frankfurt am Main. The GmbH serves as a regional hub for the DACH region as well as for other European markets such as Italy, Benelux, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Greece, and Turkey.

In Hattersheim, the focus is on sales, engineering, and aftermarket services. A particular focus of the German operations is on the development and construction of electrically powered test systems for passive vehicle safety. These include seatbelt anchor test stands, roof and door crush tests, and impact and battery structural tests for electric vehicles. The PVW and PVWH series hydraulic pumps used provide the precise and repeatable force and stroke control required for such test procedures.

The Oilgear Towler Brand

The “Towler” suffix dates back to the acquisition of the British company Towler Hydraulics in 1985. Towler Hydraulics strengthened Oilgear’s presence in the British and European markets and contributed additional expertise in the field of oil and gas hydraulics. The Oilgear Towler brand is still used today in Europe to designate branches and product lines.

Technology and Competitive Position

Oilgear is positioned in the market segment for heavy-duty hydraulic components and system solutions. The company’s competitive advantages lie less in the standard components business and more in the specific features that set Oilgear products apart from competitors:

• High-pressure expertise: Valves up to 1,400 bar and pumps up to 1,000 bar cover ranges that are not part of the standard product line for many manufacturers.
• Fluid compatibility: Oilgear components are designed for mineral oils, phosphate esters, water-oil emulsions, water-glycol, and biodegradable fluids. The Transfer Barrier Pump even allows operation with pure water.
• Electronics-Hydraulics Integration: Oilgear was an early adopter of integrating microprocessors and PC controls with hydraulic systems. The EPC control cards and EAS-i actuator sequences supplied today continue this tradition.
• System Integration: Rather than simply supplying individual components, Oilgear develops turnkey drive systems, including design, manufacturing, assembly, commissioning, and service.

Maintenance and Aftermarket

The aftermarket segment is an essential part of Oilgear’s business model. With a global service network, the company offers repair, overhaul, and retrofitting of existing hydraulic systems. Replacement parts such as seals, filters, and wear parts are supplied through service locations in Europe, North America, and Asia. This also includes training programs for operators and maintenance personnel, as well as on-site commissioning of new systems.

For users operating Oilgear pumps or valves, the availability of genuine replacement parts and professional maintenance is a critical factor in the systems’ service life. Access to experienced service plays a particularly important role in high-pressure and offshore systems, where downtime results in high costs.