How to Identify a Vickers Hydraulic Pump: Vane vs Piston, Model Codes & No-Tag Guide
No nameplate? Tag worn smooth? You can still identify a Vickers hydraulic pump from what is in your hands. Work through the three steps below, pump type, then family, then the model code, and you will land on the exact parts and seal kit you need. Stuck? Send us photos and any numbers and we will identify it for you.
Step 1: Vane, piston, or gear?
| Type | How to recognize it | Vickers families |
|---|---|---|
| Vane pump | Round or oval cartridge body; often a square mounting flange; single, double, or tandem sections bolted together. | V10, V20, 25V/35V/45V, VQ series, VMQ, V2010/V2020 |
| Piston pump | Longer barrel-shaped body, usually with a compensator adjustment screw or valve on the end; heavier casting. | PVH, PVB, PVQ, PVM, PVE, PFB |
| Gear pump | Compact two-bolt body, no compensator, inlet and outlet close together. | GD/G5 series |
Step 2: Narrow to the family
With no tag, use physical clues: shaft type (keyed, splined, threaded), the number of mounting bolts, port positions, and overall size. Then match to a family below and open its parts catalog, the photos there help you confirm.
Vane pumps
V10 · V20 · 25V · 35V · 45V · 25VQ · 35VQ · 45VQ · V2010 · V2020
Piston pumps
PVH · PVB · PVQ · PVM · PVE · PFB
Motors
Vane motors (25M, 35M, 45M, 50M) · MFB · MHT
Step 3: Decode the model number
If any of the stamped code survives, it tells you everything: displacement, rotation, shaft, ports, and whether the shaft seal is single or double. Each Vickers letter and number block has a fixed meaning. See a full worked example on our Vickers PVH74 model code page, which decodes PVH74QIC-RSF-1S-10-C25-31 character by character, including the single versus dual shaft seal digit.
What if there is no readable number at all?
- Measure and photograph: shaft diameter and key, mounting bolt pattern, port sizes, overall length.
- Check the equipment: the machine parts manual often lists the pump model.
- Cross-reference a mating part: a seal, shaft, or cartridge number can point back to the family.
- Ask us: we identify Vickers pumps from photos and dimensions every day, send what you have.
Shop by brand
Once you know the family, the fastest path to parts is the Eaton / Vickers Hydraulic Parts & Seal Kits hub, the Vickers brand page, or jump straight to hydraulic seal kits.
Frequently asked questions
How do I identify a Vickers pump with no nameplate?
Start with the pump type (vane, piston, or gear), then match physical features, shaft, mounting bolts, ports, and size, to a Vickers family, and finally decode any surviving model code characters. Photos and dimensions let a specialist confirm it.
How do I tell a vane pump from a piston pump?
Vane pumps have a round or oval cartridge body and often a square flange; piston pumps are longer and barrel-shaped, usually with a pressure compensator adjustment on the end cap.
Where is the model number on a Vickers pump?
On the stamped nameplate or directly on the housing near the ports. If it is worn, cross-reference the machine parts manual or a mating component.