A10VO Series 52 vs 53: Medium-Pressure Pumps Compared
When you are replacing or specifying a light mobile axial-piston variable pump of the A10VO family, you will meet two sister series in the same data sheet: Series 52 and Series 53. Both are swashplate, open-circuit pumps rated 250 bar nominal / 315 bar peak, built lightweight for medium-pressure machine hydraulics (excavators, wheel loaders, rollers and mining machines). They look similar and share much of their technology — but the size coverage, control codes and options differ in ways that decide whether a replacement bolts on and works. This guide tells them apart so you order the right one.
The short version
- Series 52 covers the smaller range: sizes 10, 28, 45, 60 and 85 cm³/rev. It keeps the classic flow-control naming DFR / DFR1.
- Series 53 is the wider, updated sister series: sizes 18, 28, 45, 63, 72, 85 and 100 cm³/rev. The same flow-control functions are called DRF / DRS, and constant-power (LA) as well as electro-proportional (EP/EK) controls are only available here.
Key differences at a glance
| Feature | Series 52 | Series 53 |
|---|---|---|
| Positioning | Lightweight mobile pump, medium pressure (part of the A10VO series 52/53 family) | Same family; wider size coverage and newer control generation |
| Sizes (NG, cm³/rev) | 10, 28, 45, 60, 85 | 18, 28, 45, 63, 72, 85, 100 |
| Sizes only this series offers | 10 and 60 | 18, 63, 72 and 100 |
| Pressure | 250 bar nominal / 315 bar peak | 250 bar nominal / 315 bar peak |
| LS flow-control naming | DFR (X-T open) / DFR1 (X-T plugged, with flushing) | DRF / DRS — same two functions under new codes |
| Simplest LS control (no flushing) | DRSC (all sizes except 10) | DRSC (all sizes) |
| Constant power (LA family) | Not available | LA5D–LA9D, LA.DG, LA.DS, LA.DC |
| Electro-proportional controls | ED/ER only (not size 10) | ED/ER, plus EP/EK swivel-angle controls |
| Mounting flange highlights | Metric 2-hole (ISO) only on size 10; 4-hole SAE only on size 60 | No metric flange; 4-hole SAE on sizes 63, 72, 85, 100 |
| Through drive | Optional splined-hub through drive (not on size 10) | Optional splined-hub through drive |
| Weight, no through drive (approx.) | 8–36 kg across the range | 11.5–36 kg across the range |
Traps when ordering or replacing
- The control codes were renamed. Series 52 calls the load-sensing flow control DFR / DFR1; Series 53 calls the same functions DRF / DRS. Do not compare codes letter by letter — compare the function (load-sensing flow control with the X-T pilot line open vs plugged with flushing).
- Do not size by “close enough”. Size 60 exists only in Series 52 and size 63 only in Series 53 — they are different model codes even though the internal rotary group is the same technology. Sizes 10 and 60 are Series 52 only; 18, 63, 72 and 100 are Series 53 only. A “similar” displacement from the other series is not a drop-in.
- Same size, different options. Sizes 28, 45 and 85 exist in both series, but the option sets differ: e.g. a size 85 unit offers a 4-hole SAE flange in Series 53 but not in Series 52; threaded-port codes 14/64 exist in Series 52 but not in Series 53. Flanges, ports and housings are not interchangeable between the two series — only the control-valve block can be considered for emergency exchange, never the whole pump.
- Constant power lives only in Series 53. If your circuit relies on constant-power (anti-stall) control, Series 52 cannot provide it — choose Series 53 with an LA code (LA5D–LA9D depend on the starting-pressure range of the application; LA.DG adds remote pressure cut-off, LA.DS / LA.DC add load-sensing flow control with / without flushing).
Which one should you order?
Start from the nameplate. If your machine was built with a Series 52 pump (model code carries …/52R-… or …/52L-…), stay with Series 52 — this is also the only choice for size 10 and size 60 machines. If the machine is Series 53, order Series 53. For new designs, choose by what you need: small sizes 10/60 → Series 52; sizes 18/63/72/100, constant-power control, or electro-proportional swivel-angle control → Series 53. Never mix Series 52/53 parts with the heavier industrial Series 31/32 or economy platforms of the A10 family — pressure rating, pilots and mounting patterns are different.
Not sure which series your pump is? Send us the full model code from the nameplate — the series sits right before the rotation letter (e.g. A10VO45DFR1/52R-… vs A10VO45DRS/53R-…) — and we will confirm the correct replacement before you order.
