What Is a Hydraulic System? How It Works and How to Choose

A hydraulic system is a closed power-transmission arrangement that transfers power with pressurised oil and converts that power into linear or rotary motion. Clear answer: the pump pressurises the oil, valves control it, a hydraulic cylinder or motor does the work, and the oil returns to the tank. This set-up produces high force on construction machinery, tipper trucks, presses and agricultural equipment.

People searching “what is a hydraulic system” usually want both the definition and which parts must be selected together. This guide explains how a hydraulic system works, its components and the correct installation for tipper applications.

How Does a Hydraulic System Work?

The answer to how a hydraulic system works is five steps:

1. The oil tank stores the oil, separates air and cools it.
2. The hydraulic pump (on most tippers a gear pump) converts mechanical energy into pressure.
3. The hydraulic valve controls the oil’s direction, pressure and flow.
4. The hydraulic cylinder (or motor) converts pressure into motion — for example raising the body.
5. Oil returns to the tank through a filter; the cycle starts again.

Force is pressure × piston area; speed is set by pump flow. That is why pump, valve and cylinder must not be chosen independently.

Hydraulic System Components

On tipper trucks and trailers these parts are usually packed as a hydraulic kit or tipping set. (Tipper Hydraulic Kit)

Stationary Hydraulic System vs Mobile Hydraulic System

• Stationary system: Presses, injection moulding, test stands. The pump is often driven by an electric motor.
• Mobile hydraulic system: Trucks, construction machines, agricultural vehicles. The power source is often a PTO; dust, vibration and heat are harsher.

Özceylanlar (Hypo Hydraulic) manufactures mobile hydraulics and especially tipper / dump systems.

How Is a Tipper Hydraulic System Installed?

A typical front-end tipper layout:

1. A PTO is fitted to the gearbox.
2. The PTO drives a gear pump directly or via a drive shaft.
3. The pump draws from the oil tank.
4. Oil goes to the tipping valve.
5. The valve feeds the front-end tipping cylinder (telescopic); the body rises. On lowering, oil returns to the tank in a controlled way.

With underbody lift the cylinder type changes; the pump–valve–tank logic stays the same. Details: Front-End Tipping Cylinder · Telescopic Cylinder

Choosing the Right Hydraulic System

1. Load and required force (body + load, tip angle)
2. Working pressure (often 160–250 bar on tipper applications)
3. Flow and tipping time (pump displacement × PTO ratio)
4. Cylinder type: front-end or underbody
5. Valve type and safety (bypass) setting
6. Tank volume (heat margin)
7. Environment: dust, hot climate, short-cycle construction work

Choosing a matched hydraulic kit instead of the “cheapest” loose parts reduces early failures.

Common Hydraulic System Problems

• Overheating: small tank, continuous bypass, wrong flow
• Slow lifting: low flow, wrong PTO ratio, worn pump
• Lack of force: low pressure, relief valve set too low, internal leakage
• Noise: cavitation, drive-shaft balance, dirty filter
• Leaks: seals, hoses, fittings

Özceylanlar: Hydraulic System Manufacturer (Konya)

Özceylanlar A.Ş. was founded in 1974 and has produced hydraulics since 1985. At Büyükkayacık OSB in Konya it produces about 20,000 hydraulic cylinders, 25,000 pumps and 20,000 circuit components a year; about 90% is exported.

• Cylinder, pump, valve, PTO, drive shaft and tank under one roof
• RINA ISO 3834-2, ISO 9001, CE, TS 11552
• Systems to drawing for OEM and bodybuilders
• Tipper hydraulic kits and spare parts