Reading a vane pump nameplate: what T6E, T7B, T7BS actually mean

Why Vane Pump Nameplates Look Like Cryptic Codes

Vane pump nameplates look like cryptic codes because they are. The T6E / T7B / T7BS codes on the Denison T-series vane pumps compress 4 dimensions into a 4-character code, and the engineering team at Denison Hydraulics (now part of Eaton) designed the nomenclature in the 1960s when every character on a hydraulic nameplate cost extra stamping time. The 4 dimensions are: the pump series (T6 / T7 / V / VQ / V10 / V20 / SQP / PV2R), the pump type (single-stage vs double-stage), the displacement range (in cc/rev), and the shaft + porting configuration (the suffix letter dictionary). The compression makes the code cryptic for first-time buyers, but the compression also makes the code standardized across the entire Denison T-series product line, which is why the T6E / T7B / T7BS codes have survived 60+ years of industry use.

The Denison T-series nomenclature was adopted by every major Chinese vane pump manufacturer because the codes are the industry shorthand for OEM Vickers equivalent procurement. Ningbo Vicks Hydraulic Co., Ltd. was founded in 2007 as a national high-tech enterprise in Ningbo, China, and the company manufactures the full Denison T-series nomenclature (T6 / T7 / V / VQ / V10 / V20 / SQP / PV2R) across 6 world-leading production and testing lines with an annual output of more than 80,000 pcs vane pump and 10,000 sets energy-saving servo system. The company is the presiding unit of vane pump industry standard revision in China, which means the Chinese national vane pump standard uses the Denison T-series nomenclature as the reference. The 5 IACS classification society certifications (Chinese CCS / Norway DNV / American ABS / French BV / British LR) cover the full T-series nomenclature for marine and offshore applications.

The Denison T-series heritage means that the T6E / T7B / T7BS codes are not arbitrary letter combinations; they are decoded by reading each character in order, and the decoding follows the 4-segment nomenclature. The first character (T) identifies the series heritage; the second character (6 or 7) identifies the generation within the series; the third character (E / B / S / C / M) identifies the shaft or porting configuration; the fourth character (when present) identifies a secondary configuration such as side porting or marine specification. Ningbo Vicks Hydraulic maintains the Denison T-series decoding standard across the T6 / T7 / V / VQ / V10 / V20 / SQP / PV2R series, which means a procurement manager who learns the 4-segment decoding once can apply it across 8 series and 80+ model codes.

Anatomy of a Vane Pump Model Code

A vane pump model code has 4 segments: Series / Type / Displacement / Shaft + Porting. Each segment communicates a specific dimension of the pump specification, and the 4 segments together identify a unique pump configuration. The 4-segment structure is consistent across the Denison T-series and the Denison V-series, which means the decoding skill transfers across series.

The table shows the 4-segment structure for two common vane pump configurations: T6E-045-1R11 (T6 series single-stage, 45 cc/rev displacement, through-drive rear porting, SAE spline shaft, standard design series 11) and T7B-B28-1R11 (T7 series single-stage, 28 cc/rev displacement, SAE 4-bolt flange mounting, SAE spline shaft, standard design series 11). The 4-segment structure is consistent across the Denison T-series and the Denison V-series, and the decoding skill transfers across series. Ningbo Vicks Hydraulic provides the full 4-segment decoding in the vane pump nameplate decoding guide, with the per-series model code cross-reference table available on request.

What “T6″ Means: Denison T-Series Single Pump Heritage

T6 in a vane pump model code identifies the Denison T6 series single-stage vane pump. The T6 series was originally designed by Denison Hydraulics (now part of Eaton) as the 6th generation of the T-series single-stage vane pump product line. The T6 series has a displacement range of 10-100 cc/rev across the standard models, with the specific displacement variants at 10 / 14 / 17 / 22 / 28 / 35 / 45 / 61 / 75 / 100 cc/rev. The T6 series has a maximum working pressure of 175 bar for the standard models and 210 bar for the high-pressure models (T6H suffix or T6HP variant). The T6 series is the most widely installed single-stage vane pump in the field, with millions of units in service across injection molding machines, press machines, marine deck cranes, mobile hydraulics, and industrial automation.

The T6 series offers 4 porting configurations: E (through-drive rear porting) / B (SAE 4-bolt flange mounting) / C (thread mounting) / M (marine specification). The E configuration is the most common for OEM Vickers equivalent procurement because the through-drive rear porting allows a second pump to be mounted in tandem, which is the typical installation for injection molding machines where a high-pressure pump and a high-flow pump are stacked. The B configuration is the most common for direct flange mounting to a manifold or a sub-plate. The C configuration is the least common and is used when the pump is mounted to a custom manifold via threaded ports. The M configuration is the marine specification with the additional surface treatment and the DNV / CCS / ABS / BV / LR type approval.

Ningbo Vicks Hydraulic manufactures the T6 series across the 4 porting configurations (E / B / C / M) with the 10 displacement variants (10 / 14 / 17 / 22 / 28 / 35 / 45 / 61 / 75 / 100 cc/rev). The T6 series is one of the 6 world-leading production lines at the Ningbo facility, with the cartridge kit (spare parts) lines for each T6 displacement variant. The T6 series has been batch-supplied to the marine industry and the military industry under the 5 IACS classification society certifications, with the marine specification (M suffix) carrying the active type approval certificates. The strategic partnership with Taiwan Delta, Austria KEBA, Phase servo motor, Yunshen servo motor, Haitian drive, and Sumitomo pump covers the integrated servo system offerings that incorporate the T6 series as the hydraulic pump element.

What “T7″ Means: T7B vs T7BS Twin vs Single Pump

T7 in a vane pump model code identifies the Denison T7 series single-stage vane pump, which is the 7th generation (one generation newer than T6) in the T-series product line. The T7 series has a higher displacement range (20-160 cc/rev across the standard models, vs the T6 series 10-100 cc/rev) and a higher working pressure rating (210 bar standard, up to 250 bar for the high-pressure models, vs the T6 series 175-210 bar). The T7 series offers 5 porting configurations: E (through-drive rear porting) / B (SAE 4-bolt flange mounting) / S (side porting) / C (thread mounting) / M (marine specification), which is one more configuration than the T6 series (the S suffix for side porting is a T7-series addition).

The T7B configuration decodes as T7 series single-stage + SAE 4-bolt flange mounting (B suffix). T7B is the standard flange-mounted vane pump for OEM Vickers equivalent procurement with 20-160 cc/rev displacement and 210 bar working pressure. The T7B configuration is widely used in injection molding machines, marine winches, ship deck cranes, and heavy-duty mobile hydraulics. The flange mounting allows the pump to be directly mounted to a SAE 4-bolt flange manifold or a sub-plate, which is the typical installation for hydraulic systems that require a compact, high-pressure pump.

The T7BS configuration decodes as T7 series single-stage + SAE 4-bolt flange mounting (B suffix) + side porting (S suffix). T7BS is the compact flange + side porting configuration, which is typically used when the pump is mounted to a manifold or a sub-plate and the port connections are routed to the side of the pump body rather than the rear of the pump body. The T7BS configuration is one of the most common configurations in injection molding machine hydraulic systems because the side porting allows the hydraulic lines to be routed in a more compact arrangement within the machine frame. The T7BS configuration is also used in marine deck cranes and mobile hydraulics where the installation envelope is constrained.

What the Suffix Letters Mean (E / B / S / C / M 5 )

The suffix letters in a vane pump model code identify the porting and mounting configuration, and the 5 suffix letters (E / B / S / C / M) cover the standard configurations across the T6 and T7 series. Each suffix letter maps to a specific porting or mounting pattern, and the suffix letter is the third character in the model code (after the series identifier T6 or T7). The suffix letter dictionary is consistent across the T6 and T7 series, with the addition of the S suffix (side porting) as a T7-series-only option.

The table shows the 5 suffix letters and their porting / mounting configurations. The E suffix (through-drive rear porting) is the most common for tandem pump stacks where a high-pressure pump and a high-flow pump are mounted together via a through-drive adapter. The B suffix (SAE 4-bolt flange mounting) is the most common for direct flange mount to a manifold or a sub-plate, which is the typical installation for OEM Vickers equivalent procurement. The S suffix (side porting) is a T7-series-only option that allows the pump to be mounted with side port routing, which is more compact than the through-drive rear porting variant. The C suffix (thread mounting) is the least common and is used for custom manifold installations with threaded port connections. The M suffix (marine specification) is the marine-rated variant with the additional surface treatment and the active type approval certificates from the 5 IACS classification societies.

Cartridge Kit Model Codes: T6ERK / T7BKB / T7BSKB

The cartridge kit model code follows the same 4-segment nomenclature as the complete pump model code, with the K suffix identifying the cartridge kit (spare parts) variant. The cartridge kit typically includes the rotor + vanes + ring set + balance plate, which are the wear parts that need replacement after the pump’s service life. The cartridge kit model code uses the first 3 segments of the pump model code (Series / Type / Displacement) and adds the K suffix at the end to identify the cartridge kit variant. The cartridge kit model codes for the 3 common configurations are: T6ERK for T6 series through-drive + standard kit; T7BKB for T7 series flange mount + SAE flange kit; T7BSKB for T7 series flange + side porting + SAE flange kit.

The table shows the 3 cartridge kit model codes (T6ERK / T7BKB / T7BSKB) and their contents. The cartridge kit is the standard spare parts package for the wear components of the vane pump, and the kit model code allows the procurement manager to order the correct replacement kit without confusion. The typical replacement cycle for the cartridge kit is 8,000-12,000 operating hours, depending on the operating pressure, the fluid cleanliness, and the duty cycle. Ningbo Vicks Hydraulic provides cartridge kit model codes for all T6 / T7 series spare parts, with the kit model cross-reference table available on request for OEM Vickers equivalent procurement.

5 Nameplate Decoding Scenarios for Procurement

5 nameplate decoding scenarios cover the typical procurement decisions for OEM Vickers equivalent sourcing. Each scenario has a specific decoding path and a specific procurement action. The 5 scenarios are: replacement of a worn pump, retrofit of an existing system, new system design, spare parts inventory, and marine classification upgrade.

The table shows the 5 nameplate decoding scenarios and the procurement actions. For the replacement of a worn pump scenario, the procurement action is to order the complete pump with the same model code (not just the cartridge kit), because the pump body and the shaft may also be worn beyond the cartridge kit replacement scope. For the retrofit scenario, the procurement action is to verify the flange and shaft dimensions match the existing installation, because the T6 to T7 retrofit changes the mounting pattern slightly. For the new system design scenario, the procurement action is to specify the full 4-segment model code with the displacement, the working pressure, the porting configuration, and the shaft type. For the spare parts inventory scenario, the procurement action is to maintain a stock of cartridge kits based on the number of pumps in service. For the marine classification upgrade scenario, the procurement action is to order the M suffix variant with the active type approval certificate.

Vane Pump Displacement Reference Table (T6 / T7 / V10 / V20 4 )

The displacement reference table covers the 4 most common vane pump series for OEM Vickers equivalent procurement: T6 / T7 / V10 / V20. The displacement reference allows the procurement manager to cross-reference the displacement between series and select the right pump for the application. The displacement is in cc/rev, and the typical operating pressure is in bar.

The table shows the 4 series (T6 / T7 / V10 / V20) and their displacement variants, maximum working pressure, porting configurations, and typical applications. The T6 series has 10 displacement variants from 10 to 100 cc/rev, the T7 series has 10 displacement variants from 20 to 160 cc/rev, the V10 series has 10 displacement variants from 11 to 93 cc/rev, and the V20 series has 10 displacement variants from 22 to 186 cc/rev. The V10 and V20 series are double vane pumps (two pumping chambers in series for higher flow at the same pressure), while the T6 and T7 series are single-stage vane pumps (one pumping chamber). The 4 series cover the typical OEM Vickers equivalent procurement for displacement from 10 cc/rev (T6 series minimum) to 186 cc/rev (V20 series maximum).

3 Common Mistakes When Sourcing OEM Vickers Equivalent

3 common mistakes trip up procurement managers who source OEM Vickers equivalent vane pumps without reading the nameplate correctly. The 3 mistakes are documented from real procurement cases, and each mistake has a specific verification action that catches the error. Avoiding the 3 mistakes is the core procurement discipline for OEM Vickers equivalent sourcing from any supplier, Chinese or otherwise.

The table shows the 3 common mistakes and how each one creates a procurement problem. The first mistake (matching series only) is the most common because the series letter (T6 / T7) is the most visible character on the nameplate; the procurement manager reads the series letter and assumes the pump is equivalent. The second mistake (matching displacement only, ignoring porting) is also common because the displacement is the second most visible specification; the procurement manager reads the displacement and assumes the porting matches. The third mistake (matching porting only, ignoring shaft type) is the least common but the most expensive because the shaft mismatch requires re-machining or coupling replacement. Ningbo Vicks Hydraulic provides the full 4-segment model code in every RFQ response, with the series, the type, the displacement, and the shaft type explicitly specified to avoid all 3 mistakes.

Conclusion: Building a Nameplate Decoding Spec into Your Vane Pump RFQ

For hydraulic pump procurement managers who are building a nameplate decoding spec into an OEM Vickers equivalent vane pump RFQ, the right spec is a chain of 4 segments: Series (T6 / T7 / V / VQ / V10 / V20 / SQP / PV2R) / Type (single vs double pump) / Displacement (in cc/rev) / Shaft + Porting (suffix letter dictionary E / B / S / C / M). The buyer should specify all 4 segments in the RFQ and verify the supplier’s model code cross-reference before approving the production run.

The nameplate decoding decision depends on the application profile: an injection molding machine retrofit requires the E suffix (through-drive rear porting) for the tandem pump stack; a marine deck crane requires the M suffix (marine specification) for the DNV / CCS / ABS / BV / LR type approval; a flange mount to a manifold requires the B suffix (SAE 4-bolt flange mounting); a side port routing installation requires the S suffix (side porting) for the T7 series. Ningbo Vicks Hydraulic provides the full 4-segment decoding in the vane pump nameplate decoding guide, with the per-series model code cross-reference table available on request for OEM Vickers equivalent procurement.

For B2B buyers evaluating Ningbo Vicks Hydraulic as the OEM Vickers equivalent vane pump supplier, the reference configurations are: T6E-045-1R11 for injection molding machine tandem pump stack (45 cc/rev, through-drive rear porting, SAE spline shaft), T7B-B28-1R11 for marine deck crane flange mount (28 cc/rev, SAE 4-bolt flange, SAE spline shaft), and T7BS-B35-1R11 for manifold-mounted compact installation (35 cc/rev, SAE 4-bolt flange + side porting, SAE spline shaft). The 6 world-leading production lines, the 80,000+ pcs annual output, the 5 IACS certifications, and the presiding unit status of vane pump industry standard revision make Vicks Hydraulic the reference Chinese OEM Vickers equivalent vane pump supplier for global procurement managers. Request the vane pump nameplate decoding guide and the cartridge kit model cross-reference table for OEM Vickers equivalent procurement.