Hydraulic Engineering Support for Film, Television & Production Equipment
Hydraulic hoses, cylinders, valves, power packs, components, repairs and mobile engineering support for film, television and production equipment.
Behind cameras, sets and special effects, film and television productions can depend on complex mechanical equipment to lift, position and move heavy loads.
Hydraulic systems can be found in specialist camera-support equipment, moving platforms, lifting systems, motion rigs, set machinery and other production equipment where controlled movement and substantial force are required.
Completely Hydraulic can support film studios, production companies, equipment operators, set builders, special-effects teams, rigging specialists and engineering contractors with hydraulic components, repairs and mobile engineering services.
From a replacement hose or fitting through to cylinders, valves, manifolds, power packs and engineering modifications, our role is straightforward:
help keep the hydraulic equipment behind the production working.
Quick Answer: How Are Hydraulics Used in Film & TV?
Hydraulic systems can be used in film and television equipment where powerful, controlled movement is required. Applications can include camera cranes and support equipment, motion platforms, lifting systems, moving sets, specialist rigs and some special-effects equipment.
These systems can use hydraulic cylinders, hoses, valves, manifolds, pumps, fittings and power units — all components that require correct specification, maintenance and repair.
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Get a Fast Quote →Hydraulics Behind Film & Television Production
Film production can involve far more engineering than the audience ever sees.
Large cameras and specialist equipment may need to move smoothly through substantial distances. Sets and platforms may need to lift, tilt or reposition. Special-effects equipment may require controlled mechanical movement, while support machinery has to operate reliably throughout demanding production schedules.
Hydraulics are particularly useful where equipment requires a combination of force, controlled movement and compact actuation.
Where Might Hydraulic Equipment Be Used?
- Camera cranes and specialist camera-support equipment
- Hydraulic lifting and positioning systems
- Motion platforms and moving rigs
- Moving scenery and set structures
- Special-effects engineering equipment
- Specialist vehicles and production machinery
- Workshop and set-construction equipment
- Material-handling and access equipment used around production sites
Why Hydraulics Are Used for Production Equipment
Hydraulic systems are widely used across industry because relatively compact components can generate significant force while allowing controlled mechanical movement.
The same engineering principles can be useful in specialist film and television applications.
A hydraulic cylinder converts fluid pressure into linear mechanical movement. Control valves determine how hydraulic oil is directed, while pumps and power units generate the flow required to operate the system.
Hoses, rigid pipework, fittings and adaptors then connect those components together.
THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM
POWER
A hydraulic power pack or pump provides hydraulic flow.
CONTROL
Valves and manifolds control the direction and behaviour of that flow.
MOVEMENT
Hydraulic cylinders or motors convert hydraulic energy into mechanical movement.
CONNECTION
Hydraulic hoses, pipework, fittings and adaptors connect the system together.
Hydraulic Camera Cranes & Support Equipment
Some professional film and television camera-support systems incorporate hydraulic technology to provide lifting or controlled movement.
Large camera cranes can carry significant equipment while allowing the camera to travel vertically and horizontally through a shot. Specialist crane bases and dollies may also incorporate hydraulic lifting or levelling systems.
Where hydraulic components form part of this type of equipment, dependable hoses, cylinders, valves and connections are essential to the hydraulic side of the system.
Completely Hydraulic can provide hydraulic engineering support for equipment owners and operators where work falls within our hydraulic capabilities.
Motion Rigs, Platforms & Moving Sets
Hydraulic actuation can also be used where a production requires a heavy structure or platform to move in a controlled manner.
Depending on the specialist equipment involved, hydraulic cylinders can provide linear movement while valves and control systems regulate the movement of individual actuators.
Applications can range from moving set elements to sophisticated multi-axis motion systems used to create physical movement for a scene.
Film Engineering Can Be Serious Engineering
Although the finished result appears on screen as entertainment, the equipment behind a production can involve substantial mechanical loads, hydraulic pressure and specialist machinery. Hydraulic components therefore need to be correctly selected, installed and maintained for their intended application.
Hydraulic Services for Film & TV Equipment
Completely Hydraulic’s existing engineering capabilities can be applied to a wide range of hydraulic equipment used by production companies and specialist film-industry suppliers.
Hydraulic Support Available
- Hydraulic hose manufacture and replacement
- Emergency hydraulic hose repair
- Hydraulic fittings and adaptors
- Hydraulic cylinder and ram repair
- Hydraulic cylinder manufacture
- Hydraulic valves and manifolds
- Hydraulic power packs
- Hydraulic system diagnostics
- Fault finding
- Hydraulic system modifications
- Oil filtration
- Preventative maintenance
- Mobile hydraulic engineering
- Workshop hydraulic engineering
Hydraulic Hoses & Hose Assemblies
Hydraulic hoses are flexible connections that carry pressurised hydraulic fluid between components.
Production equipment may contain hoses routed through moving structures or around compact machinery, making hose condition an important maintenance consideration.
Completely Hydraulic manufactures replacement hydraulic hose assemblies using the appropriate hose and end fittings for the application.
Our engineers can also attend equipment where a hydraulic hose has failed and a mobile repair is required.
Learn more about our hydraulic hose repair service and hydraulic hose fittings.
Hydraulic Cylinders & Rams
Hydraulic cylinders provide linear movement and are one of the principal ways hydraulic power is converted into mechanical force.
Depending on the equipment, cylinders may be responsible for lifting, extending, tilting, positioning or supporting a moving structure.
Completely Hydraulic provides hydraulic ram and cylinder repair together with engineering support for worn or damaged cylinder components.
Where replacement is the appropriate solution, cylinders can also be manufactured to suit specific engineering requirements.
Find out more about hydraulic ram repair.
Hydraulic Valves, Manifolds & Control
Hydraulic valves determine where oil flows through a system and can control direction, pressure and flow depending on the circuit design.
Manifolds provide a compact way of integrating multiple hydraulic functions into an assembly.
Film and television equipment incorporating controlled hydraulic movement may depend on these components to operate the hydraulic side of the machinery correctly.
Completely Hydraulic supplies and works with hydraulic valves, manifolds and associated components as part of its wider hydraulic engineering service.
Hydraulic Power Packs
A hydraulic power pack provides the hydraulic flow required to operate cylinders, motors and other components.
Typical units combine a reservoir, pump, motor and associated control components into a dedicated hydraulic power source.
For specialist equipment, the hydraulic power unit must be appropriate for the required flow, pressure, duty cycle and operating environment.
Completely Hydraulic can provide hydraulic power-pack and component support for suitable production and engineering applications.
When Hydraulic Equipment Fails During Production
When the Equipment Stops, Production Can Stop
A failed hydraulic hose, damaged fitting, cylinder problem or faulty hydraulic component can take machinery out of service. Where that machinery is required for a production schedule, identifying and repairing the hydraulic fault quickly can become an operational priority.
Completely Hydraulic operates mobile hydraulic engineering services for breakdowns and on-site repairs.
Depending on the fault, our engineers may be able to manufacture replacement hose assemblies, replace fittings, diagnose hydraulic problems or identify components requiring workshop repair or replacement.
For urgent breakdown support, see our 24/7 mobile hydraulic service.
Preventative Maintenance for Production Equipment
Emergency repair is only one part of hydraulic support.
Equipment that is used intensively or transported between locations can benefit from planned inspection and maintenance before a hydraulic fault becomes a breakdown.
Checks can include:
- Hydraulic hose condition
- Signs of abrasion or external hose damage
- Fittings and connections
- Hydraulic leaks
- Cylinder condition
- Hydraulic oil condition
- Valves and associated components
- General system performance
Planned hydraulic maintenance can be particularly useful before equipment is committed to a demanding production period or transported to a location where downtime would be difficult to manage.
Who Can We Support?
The film and television industry includes a large network of specialist businesses, not simply studios and production companies.
Completely Hydraulic’s services may be relevant to organisations including:
- Film and television studios
- Production companies
- Camera-equipment operators and suppliers
- Special-effects companies
- Motion-rig specialists
- Set construction companies
- Rigging contractors
- Prop engineering companies
- Production-equipment hire businesses
- Specialist vehicle operators
- Mechanical and engineering contractors working within studios
You do not need to be a hydraulic company to speak to us. If hydraulic equipment forms part of your machinery and you need components, maintenance or engineering support, our team can assess what hydraulic assistance is required.
Hydraulic Support Across London & the South East
Completely Hydraulic operates from established locations serving London and the surrounding region, including our Heathrow operation in Hayes.
This provides access to hydraulic stock, workshop capability and engineering support for businesses operating across major industrial and commercial areas around the capital.
For film, television and production businesses, that means access to an established hydraulic engineering company capable of supporting both planned requirements and hydraulic breakdowns.
Quick Engineering Summary
Industry: Film, television and production
Hydraulic Support: Hoses, fittings, cylinders, valves, manifolds and power packs
Engineering: Repairs, diagnostics, modifications and maintenance
Breakdown Support: Mobile hydraulic engineering
Workshop Support: Hydraulic repair and manufacturing capability
Objective: Keeping production machinery and hydraulic equipment operational
Why Completely Hydraulic?
Film and television may be a specialist industry, but the hydraulic engineering principles behind its machinery are familiar territory for our engineers.
Completely Hydraulic works with hydraulic systems across demanding industries and provides the combination of component supply, workshop capability and mobile engineering required to solve practical hydraulic problems.
Whether the requirement is a replacement hose, a cylinder repair, hydraulic components, system maintenance or an engineer attending a breakdown, our focus is on understanding the hydraulic requirement and providing an appropriate engineering solution.
Keeping Machinery Moving.
Related Hydraulic Services
Need Hydraulic Support for Film or TV Equipment?
Speak to Completely Hydraulic about hydraulic hoses, cylinders, valves, power packs, components, maintenance or mobile engineering support for production equipment.
Film & TV Hydraulic Services – FAQs
How are hydraulics used in the film industry?
Hydraulic systems can be used in specialist camera-support equipment, lifting and positioning systems, motion platforms, moving sets, production machinery and some special-effects equipment.
Can Completely Hydraulic make replacement hoses for film equipment?
Completely Hydraulic manufactures hydraulic hose assemblies and supplies hydraulic fittings and adaptors. The correct hose and fittings must be selected for the individual equipment and application.
Can you repair hydraulic cylinders used on production equipment?
Yes. Completely Hydraulic provides hydraulic ram and cylinder repair services. The cylinder should first be assessed to determine the appropriate repair.
Can you attend a hydraulic breakdown at a film location or studio?
Completely Hydraulic provides mobile hydraulic engineering and breakdown support. The assistance available will depend on the location, equipment and nature of the hydraulic fault.
Can you supply hydraulic valves and power packs?
Yes. Completely Hydraulic works with hydraulic valves, manifolds, power packs and associated hydraulic components for suitable engineering applications.
Can hydraulic equipment be checked before a production starts?
Planned inspection and preventative maintenance can identify issues such as damaged hoses, leaks, worn connections and other visible hydraulic problems before equipment enters a demanding period of operation.
Do you only support film-specific hydraulic equipment?
No. Completely Hydraulic is a hydraulic engineering company. Support can therefore extend to other hydraulic machinery used by production businesses, workshops, contractors and equipment operators where the work falls within our hydraulic capabilities.