Which statement about hydraulic drive is true?

• A. It can produce speeds greater than one foot per second
• B. It cannot produce more torque than belt drive
• C. It requires no alignment
• D. It operates only at low torque

Answer: (A)

Hydraulic drive uses pressurized fluid to transfer power, and the output speed is set by the flow rate from the pump and the displacement of the hydraulic motor or actuator. Because you can choose different motor displacements and adjust flow, you can achieve a wide range of speeds, including speeds greater than one foot per second. The other statements aren’t correct because torque can be very high with hydraulic systems (not limited to belts), alignment is still necessary for proper operation, and hydraulic drives are not restricted to low torque; they can deliver substantial torque at higher speeds or at low speeds with higher pressure.