SPECIAL REPORTS – MOBILE EQUIPMENT 36 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS July/August 2025 www.hpmag.co.uk Mobile equipment plays a central role in the UK’s hydraulics and pneumatics sector. Machines such as excavators, crop sprayers, refuse vehicles and all-terrain handlers depend on well-designed fluid power systems to operate effectively across demanding environments. As expectations around performance, sustainability and system integration grow, manufacturers and operators alike are having to reassess how these systems are designed, controlled and maintained. Unlike static installations, mobile hydraulic and pneumatic systems must contend with constant vibration, temperature swings, contaminants and load variability. Their design must balance durability with responsiveness, and increasingly, that balance is being tested. Modern mobile machinery is now expected to be not only more productive and efficient, but quieter, cleaner, safer and smarter — all while operating under tighter economic and environmental constraints. Push toward decarbonisation One of the most pressing challenges for mobile fluid power systems today lies in the push toward decarbonisation. The UK’s net zero targets have triggered a fresh wave of scrutiny over dieselpowered plant and machinery. Although electric drive systems have gained traction in some segments, for most mobile equipment, outright electrification remains technically and commercially prohibitive. Hydraulic systems remain indispensable where high force and rugged reliability are needed. The industry’s focus has therefore shifted towards improving system efficiency and enabling hybrid approaches. This shift has made load-sensing circuits, variable displacement pumps and energy recovery strategies more relevant than ever. When properly implemented, these systems can significantly reduce the energy wasted during idle cycles or partial loads — scenarios common across lifting, digging and material handling tasks. However, integrating such systems on mobile equipment poses challenges, not least in terms of space constraints, thermal management and electronic control integration. Solutions require close collaboration between hydraulic engineers, control software developers and machine OEMs. Equally, for pneumatic systems in mobile settings, improvements in actuator control and air management have been driven by similar forces. Greater control accuracy, faster actuation and leak detection are all being targeted, especially where pneumatics are used for clamping, tool change or suspension functions. Advances in electro-pneumatic valves and smart air preparation units are helping Adapting hydraulic and pneumatic systems for mobile equipment Mobile equipment relies heavily on hydraulic and pneumatic systems to deliver consistent performance in demanding environments. As the industry faces increasing pressure to improve efficiency, reduce emissions and enhance reliability, engineers and operators are rethinking how these systems are specified, monitored and maintained to meet the evolving demands of modern applications. H&P reports.
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