Hydraulic Thrusters
Thrust whenever you need it, for as long as you need it. Built with industrial-grade components and powered by hydraulic pumps on the propulsion engine(s) or generator, these thrusters run continuously — the defining characteristic for commercial work and the most demanding manoeuvring. Seven models from 55 to 550 kgf for vessels from 35 to 150 feet.
Why go hydraulic?
Continuous runtime
No electric duty cycle. With the proper setup, hydraulic thrusters run for as long as the engine or generator drives the pump — essential for canal work, lock queues, and commercial berthing.
Built for very hard work
Long lived, reliable and accustomed to abuse — these are the thrusters specified for workboats, charter fleets and serious passagemakers.
No electrics at the thruster
No electrical connections at the thruster or pumps and little routine maintenance — flow rates from 13 to 103 l/min at pressures from 165 to 250 bar.
Control your way
Simple on/off, dual-stage (half/full power), or fully proportional control heads — including twin-joystick bow + stern panels.
Planning and installing hydraulic systems is specialist work requiring training in power hydraulics. If your vessel already has a hydraulic system with the flow and pressure available, VETUS thrusters can often be added to it; VETUS also offers complete hydraulic systems. Either way, a VETUS customer support team member reviews the entire system with you to ensure the thrusters perform to specification — and Luxfords manages that process locally.
Hydraulic thruster range
| Model | Thrust | Power | Advised boat length | Tunnel Ø | Runtime* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOW55HMD | 55 kgf | 3.5 kW | 26–39 ft (8–12 m) | 150 mm | Continuous |
| BOW95HMD | 95 kgf | 6.0 kW | 36–55 ft (11.5–17 m) | 185 mm | Continuous |
| BOW160HMD | 160 kgf | 9.5 kW | 44–68 ft (15–20 m) | 250 mm | Continuous |
| BOW230HMD | 230 kgf | 12.5 kW | 50–75 ft (16–22 m) | 300 mm | Continuous |
| BOW310HMD | 310 kgf | 20 kW | 80–105 ft (25–32 m) | 300 mm | Continuous |
| BOWH410 | 410 kgf | 29.5 kW | 100–120 ft (30–35 m) | 400 mm | Continuous |
| BOWH550 | 550 kgf | 39 kW | 110–150 ft (33–46 m) | 400 mm | Continuous |
Advised boat lengths for hydraulic models are indicative — final sizing depends on the vessel and hydraulic system design. Luxfords will match thruster, pump and valve manifold to your vessel.
Specify a hydraulic thruster system
Tell us about your vessel, its engines and any existing hydraulics. We'll work with VETUS engineering to design and quote the right system.
Luxfords Marine is the authorised Victorian Vetus distributor — we confirm thrust sizing, specify the battery bank and cabling, and supply everything from the tunnel to the control panel.
(03) 5973 6444