Skip to main content
Hydraulic Lift Calculator
The Hydraulic Lift calculator designs hydraulic pumping systems by calculating pump speed, pressure, flow rates, and power requirements.

Inputs

Rod String/Movement Parameters

FieldDescription
Peak Polish Rod Load (lbs)Maximum load at polished rod
Stroke Length (in)Pump stroke length
Up Stroke Speed (seconds)Time for upstroke
Down Stroke Speed (seconds)Time for downstroke
Turn Around Time (seconds)Delay between strokes

Wellbore/Cylinder Dimensions

FieldDescription
Cylinder ID (in)Hydraulic cylinder inner diameter

System Ratings/Limits

FieldDescription
Maximum Rated Load (lb)System load rating

Environmental/Site Conditions

FieldDescription
Elevation Above Sea Level (ft)Site elevation

Equipment Selection

FieldDescription
Prime MoverEngine/motor selection (e.g., GM 4.3L @ 1800rpm)
Hydraulic PumpPump capacity (e.g., 71cc)

Outputs

OutputDescription
Average Pump Speed (SPM)Calculated strokes per minute
Hydraulic Pump Pressure (psi)Required system pressure
Hydraulic Pump Flow (USgpm)Required flow rate
Power Required (hp)Prime mover power needed
Engine Elevation De Rate (hp)Power loss due to altitude
Prime Mover Loading (%)Engine utilization percentage
Hydraulic Pump Flow (% of Max Flow)Flow as percent of pump capacity
Hydraulic Pump Pressure (% of Max psi)Pressure as percent of rating
Structural Loading (%)Structural utilization
Max Polish Rod Velocity (in/sec)Peak rod speed

Use Cases

  • Size hydraulic units for new installations
  • Verify equipment ratings for existing systems
  • Evaluate prime mover and pump combinations
  • Account for altitude derating