ME600BC Eaton Vickers Motor | 280 Bar Low Speed 2620Nm

Product Overview

The ME600BC is a 600 cm³/rev displacement model from Eaton Vickers’ DOWMAX ME series of axial piston low-speed high-torque motors, featuring B-generation (3rd design) construction and a JIS keyed shaft. The DOWMAX ME series employs a unique double swash plate axial piston design where multiple opposed pistons work in conjunction with dual swash plates, enabling smooth rotation at speeds as low as 1 rev/min—one of the most capable low-speed hydraulic motor platforms on the market. The ME series covers displacements from 99 to 4,097 cm³/rev across 13 frame sizes, with continuous working pressure of 250 bar (3,626 psi) and maximum pressure of 280 bar (4,061 psi), providing 100% interchangeable standard mounting interfaces.

The model code breaks down as follows: ME600 identifies the DOWMAX ME series 600 cm³/rev displacement; B indicates B-generation (3rd design); C denotes the JIS keyed shaft type (with thread). The ME600BC is widely deployed in ship cranes, injection molding machines, tunnel boring machines, forging presses and metallurgical equipment, with its low-speed smooth operation, high power-to-volume ratio and dual-row piston cylinder design making it irreplaceable in heavy-duty industrial hydraulic systems.

Every ME600BC unit undergoes 100% simulated operating-condition bench testing prior to shipment. Mounting flange, shaft end and port dimensions comply with JIS/SAE standards and are identical to the original Eaton Vickers ME600BC, ensuring true drop-in interchangeability with zero modification required.

Technical Specifications

DOWMAX ME Series Frame Size Specifications:

• ME100: Displacement 99 cm³/rev (6.04 in³/rev), rated pressure 280 bar, peak pressure 325 bar, rated torque 432 N·m, rated speed 1,000 rpm, max power 22 kW, weight 22 kg

• ME150: Displacement 152 cm³/rev (9.27 in³/rev), rated pressure 280 bar, peak pressure 325 bar, rated torque 668 N·m, rated speed 600 rpm, max power 56 kW, weight 34.3 kg

• ME175: Displacement 175 cm³/rev (10.68 in³/rev), rated pressure 280 bar, peak pressure 325 bar, rated torque 769 N·m, rated speed 600 rpm, max power 65 kW, weight 34.3 kg

• ME300B: Displacement 304 cm³/rev (18.55 in³/rev), rated pressure 280 bar, peak pressure 325 bar, rated torque 1,334 N·m, rated speed 600 rpm, max power 112 kW, weight 43.6 kg

• ME350B: Displacement 350 cm³/rev (21.36 in³/rev), rated pressure 280 bar, peak pressure 325 bar, rated torque 1,536 N·m, rated speed 600 rpm, max power 129 kW, weight 43.6 kg

• ME600BC (This Model): Displacement 600 cm³/rev (36.59 in³/rev), rated pressure 280 bar (27.5 MPa), peak pressure 325 bar (31.5 MPa), rated torque 2,620 N·m, loaded speed range 500–600 rpm, B-generation design, JIS keyed shaft

• ME750A: Displacement 750 cm³/rev (45.76 in³/rev), rated pressure 280 bar, peak pressure 325 bar, rated torque 3,289 N·m, rated speed 400 rpm, max power 185 kW, weight 98.9 kg

• ME850: Displacement 847 cm³/rev (51.68 in³/rev), rated pressure 280 bar, peak pressure 325 bar, rated torque 3,715 N·m, rated speed 350 rpm, max power 183 kW, weight 98.9 kg

• ME1300A: Displacement 1,345 cm³/rev (82.06 in³/rev), rated pressure 250 bar, peak pressure 325 bar, rated torque 5,309 N·m, rated speed 200 rpm, max power 186 kW, weight 140 kg

• ME1900: Displacement 1,868 cm³/rev (113.97 in³/rev), rated pressure 250 bar, peak pressure 325 bar, rated torque 7,373 N·m, rated speed 140 rpm, max power 173 kW, weight 222 kg

ME600BC Additional Specifications:

• Model Code: ME600BC (B-generation design, C = JIS keyed shaft)

• Type: Axial piston motor, double swash plate design, multiple opposed pistons

• Displacement: 600 cm³/rev (36.59 in³/rev)

• Rated Working Pressure: 280 bar (27.5 MPa)

• Peak Pressure (Intermittent): 325 bar (31.5 MPa)

• Rated Torque: 2,620 N·m

• Loaded Speed Range: 500–600 rpm

• Minimum Smooth Speed: 1 rev/min

• Rotation: Clockwise / counterclockwise (bidirectional optional)

• Shaft Type: JIS keyed shaft (with thread)

• Seal Material: Viton (fluorocarbon, V code optional) / Nitrile rubber (standard)

• Design Generation: B (3rd design)

• Circuit Type: Open circuit

• Thermal Shock: Unaffected, suitable for cold-temperature starting

• Hydraulic Fluid: Mineral oil, water-glycol, phosphate ester

Key Technical Advantages

1. Double Swash Plate Axial Piston Design for Smooth Low-Speed Operation

The ME600BC employs Eaton DOWMAX’s signature double swash plate axial piston design, where multiple opposed pistons work with dual swash plates to enable smooth rotation at speeds as low as 1 rev/min with minimal torque ripple. This makes it irreplaceable in applications requiring precise low-speed control such as ship cranes and injection molding machines. The multi-piston and double swash plate layout effectively reduces operating noise and torque pulsation for quiet operation with high overall efficiency.

2. High Starting Torque and Wide Temperature Adaptability

DOWMAX ME series motors deliver high starting torque and excellent overall efficiency. The ME600BC produces high torque at startup with a rated torque of 2,620 N·m and maximum peak pressure of 325 bar, ensuring reliable starting under load. The motor is unaffected by thermal shock and starts reliably in cold environments, suitable for outdoor operations and industrial environments with large temperature variations. The robust yet quiet construction with compact design facilitates easy installation.

3. Wide Fluid Compatibility

DOWMAX ME series motors operate with a wide range of fluids including mineral oil, water-glycol and phosphate ester hydraulic fluids. This enables flexible adaptation to different industry hydraulic system requirements, particularly advantageous in metallurgical and mining applications requiring fire-resistant hydraulic fluids. Viton fluoro-rubber seals are available for phosphate ester fluid systems.

4. Modular Accessories and System Integration Capability

The ME600BC can be configured with rear cover relief valves, speed sensors, counterbalance valves and other accessories. The motor can be paired with friction brake assemblies and is available with encoder ports and speed sensor rear cover ports. These modular accessory options enable flexible adaptation to various system integration requirements, from simple open-circuit drives to complex closed-loop control systems.

5. 100% Simulated Load Testing & Drop-In Interchangeability

Each ME600BC unit is bench-tested under simulated operating conditions prior to dispatch, covering pressure cycling, speed stepping and torque output. Mounting flange, shaft end and port dimensions comply with JIS/SAE standards, matching the original Eaton Vickers ME600BC exactly, enabling direct replacement without any interface modification.

Application Areas

The ME600BC and DOWMAX ME series motors are widely deployed across heavy-duty industrial and mobile hydraulic applications:

• Ship & Offshore: ship cranes, deck machinery, anchor winches, mooring winches, thruster drives, steering gear systems

• Construction: tunnel boring machines, rotary drill rig head drives, cranes, grapples, excavators, earth augers

• Injection Molding: mold clamping drives, injection drives with precise motion control and smooth low-speed operation

• Metallurgical: forging presses, high-speed forging equipment, rolling mill auxiliary drives, continuous casting machines

• Mining: subsurface drill rigs, heavy-duty handling equipment, crusher drives

• Industrial: conveyor/roller table drives, steel mill equipment, large coilers

• Entertainment: ferris wheel drives, amusement park machinery

Expert Maintenance Tips

1. Lubrication Management for Low-Speed Operation: The ME600BC’s core advantage is smooth operation at speeds down to 1 rev/min. Under extremely low-speed conditions, hydrodynamic oil film formation between pistons and swash plates is less favorable—ensure use of hydraulic oil with excellent extreme pressure and anti-wear properties. ISO VG46 or VG68 anti-wear hydraulic oil is recommended, with periodic oil analysis every 1,000 hours to monitor viscosity changes and additive depletion.

2. Periodic Piston Group and Swash Plate Inspection: The DOWMAX ME series’ double swash plates and multiple opposed pistons are primary wear components. Inspect piston-to-cylinder bore clearance, slipper wear and dual swash plate working surface condition every 2,000 hours. As the ME600BC employs a dual-row piston cylinder design, both piston rows require inspection. Abnormal efficiency loss, noise or vibration requires immediate shutdown and service. Use Eaton Vickers original specification parts when replacing piston groups.

3. Housing Priming Before First Startup: Before first startup, fill the motor housing with clean hydraulic oil through the drain port. An unprimed housing causes dry friction at startup, severely damaging the piston group and swash plate mechanism. After extended shutdown, fill the housing again before restarting. The drain port must return to the reservoir independently—housing back pressure must not exceed 2 bar. The drain line end must remain submerged to prevent air ingestion.

4. Oil Cleanliness and Temperature Control: Maintain system oil cleanliness at ISO 4406 18/16/13 or better. Operating oil temperature should be kept below 80°C. Replace hydraulic oil and filter after the first 500 hours, then follow a 2,000-hour or annual replacement cycle. When using water-glycol or phosphate ester hydraulic fluids, confirm seal material (Viton) compatibility with the working medium.

5. Cold Environment Starting Precautions: Although the ME600BC is unaffected by thermal shock and suitable for cold-temperature starting, run at low speed for warm-up before applying load during low-temperature startup. Use hydraulic fluid with appropriate low-temperature performance to ensure viscosity remains within permissible range during startup. Avoid applying full load directly at low temperatures to reduce initial wear on piston groups and swash plate mechanisms.