Hydraulic Oil Coolers
Heat transfer technology built to last
Bowman hydraulic oil coolers deliver efficient, reliable cooling for hydraulic oils, heat transfer fluids, and lubricating and quenching oils. By holding your system at the correct temperature, they extend equipment life, cut downtime and reduce servicing costs — across land, sea and deep underground.
Proven Durability on Land, at Sea & Underground
Heat exchangers play a vital role in keeping hydraulic systems running reliably. Excess heat erodes performance and can drive components to failure, so maintaining the right oil temperature is essential. Bowman hydraulic oil coolers provide efficient heat transfer across a wide range of cooling duties, keeping systems consistently at their target temperature.
Each shell-and-tube cooler is built around a precision-engineered, fully floating tube stack that minimises thermal stress while delivering efficient heat transfer and low pressure drop. Cupro-nickel is the standard tube material, with stainless steel and titanium available for more aggressive water conditions. End covers are easily removable so the tube stack can be withdrawn for straightforward cleaning.
From fresh-water industrial duties to sea-water marine installations and high-pressure underground mining rigs, Bowman offers a cooler to suit the medium and the duty. Manufactured to ISO 9001 in the UK and proven in tens of thousands of installations worldwide, supported in Australia by Luxfords with local engineering advice and maintenance backup.
Why Choose Bowman Hydraulic Oil Coolers?
Fully Floating Tube Stack
A precision-engineered floating tube stack minimises thermal stress while delivering efficient heat transfer and low pressure drop.
Tube Material Options
Cupro-nickel is standard, with stainless steel and titanium available to handle salt, mineral-rich or contaminated water.
Simple to Maintain
Easily removable end covers allow the tube stack to be withdrawn for fast, straightforward cleaning and servicing.
Comprehensive Range
A full size range covers the smallest to the very largest systems, with popular models held in stock.
Model Range & Performance
Land-based, normal-flow selection guide. Conditions: ISO VG 37 oil, 50°C oil outlet, 100 kPa oil pressure drop, 25°C water inlet, 50 kPa water pressure drop.
| Model | Heat Dissipated | Max Oil Flow | Max Water Flow | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EC100 | 9 kW | 92 l/min | 80 l/min | 3.2 kg |
| EC120 | 13 kW | 77 l/min | 77 l/min | 3.8 kg |
| EC160 | 22 kW | 64 l/min | 66 l/min | 5.7 kg |
| FC100 | 19 kW | 145 l/min | 135 l/min | 6.3 kg |
| FC140 | 35 kW | 105 l/min | 120 l/min | 9.4 kg |
| FG100 | 37 kW | 190 l/min | 175 l/min | 10 kg |
| FG160 | 79 kW | 145 l/min | 135 l/min | 17.5 kg |
| GL180 | 73 kW | 285 l/min | 280 l/min | 21 kg |
| GL320 | 114 kW | 270 l/min | 240 l/min | 30 kg |
| GL480 | 172 kW | 235 l/min | 205 l/min | 42 kg |
| GK250 | 144 kW | 445 l/min | 385 l/min | 39 kg |
| GK400 | 221 kW | 420 l/min | 325 l/min | 54 kg |
| GK600 | 329 kW | 365 l/min | 275 l/min | 74 kg |
| JK250 | 186 kW | 740 l/min | 550 l/min | 66 kg |
| JK400 | 283 kW | 650 l/min | 460 l/min | 92 kg |
| JK600 | 401 kW | 600 l/min | 400 l/min | 126 kg |
| PK250 | 270 kW | 1240 l/min | 840 l/min | 94 kg |
| PK480 | 497 kW | 890 l/min | 650 l/min | 140 kg |
| PK600 | 660 kW | 750 l/min | 600 l/min | 158 kg |
| RK400 | 570 kW | 1450 l/min | 1180 l/min | 186 kg |
| RK600 | 900 kW | 1240 l/min | 850 l/min | 246 kg |
Selected sizes shown — the full range includes additional intermediate models, plus marine sea-water, high-temperature (to 200°C) and mining (to 35 bar) ranges. Standard limits: oil pressure 20 bar, water pressure 16 bar, oil temp 120°C, water temp 110°C. Full data in the brochure.
Tube Materials for Every Water Condition
Cupro-nickel is the standard tube stack material across all units, suited to most fresh-water and general cooling duties. For more demanding conditions, stainless steel and titanium tube stacks are available as options.
Titanium is the ultimate 'fit and forget' solution wherever very aggressive water is present, such as salt water or contaminated, mineral-rich fresh water. It resists chemical attack, eliminates the risk of premature tube failure, and can operate at higher flow rates than cupro-nickel without tube erosion. For extreme-temperature and high-pressure mining duties, coolers are built with cast iron shells, Viton seals and a special tube stack rated to 35 bar.
Bowman titanium tube stacks carry a full 10-year guarantee on all titanium material in contact with cooling water.
Correct Installation
Coolers can be mounted horizontally or vertically but must always be installed in counter flow, with water flowing opposite to the oil. For hydraulic duties, fit the cooler in the return line to tank; where flow or pressure fluctuates violently, use a separate circuit with its own pump. Keep the water outlet running uninterrupted to waste/return, don't exceed the maximum water flow, and keep water pH between 7.2 and 7.8. Where sea water is drawn from a ship's main, fit an orifice plate at least 1m upstream so the maximum sea-water flow can't be exceeded.
Servicing & Parts
Removing the end-cover retaining screws allows the tube stack to be withdrawn for routine cleaning. On reassembly, replace the 'O' seals for a reliable joint. A comprehensive range of replacement parts is available for every model. For marine duties, Bowman's Double Seal Retaining Flange (DSRF) on GL and larger sizes lets the water side be cleaned without disturbing the oil side — minimising downtime and deck spillage.
Applications
Industrial Machinery
At the heart of fluid-cooled hydraulic systems — presses, processing and materials-handling machinery, fire protection and injection moulding.
Deep Underground Mining
First choice for many leading mine machinery makers, with options for all mine water conditions and pressures up to 35 bar.
Marine Deck Machinery
Hydraulic propulsion packs for smooth, quiet operation on commercial charter boats, proven over thousands of running hours.
Stabiliser & Thruster Systems
Used in the power packs of a leading marine stabiliser manufacturer to keep fluid power at optimum temperature.
Get the Right Unit, First Time
To recommend the most appropriate cooler using Bowman's selection programme, please supply:
- Oil type, or viscosity at a specified temperature (cSt at °C)
- Oil flow (l/min)
- Required oil outlet temperature (°C)
- Heat to be dissipated (kW)
- Temperature of the cooling water (°C)
Our qualified mechanical & heat-transfer engineers are here in Australia to help you select and specify the right unit.
Enquire About Hydraulic Oil Coolers
Talk to a Heat Transfer Specialist
Need help choosing? Our team can match the right Bowman hydraulic oil coolers to your exact application.