What is a hydraulic wet kit?

Hydraulic wet kits provide a power source on a truck to run hydraulic components, letting
operators power hydraulically driven equipment directly from their trucks.

Wet kits come in two main configurations - single line and twin line. Both types provide
pressurised hydraulic fluid to power equipment like lifts, tippers, and cranes. However, each
has differences in operation and applications.

Single Line Wet Kits

A single-line wet kit, sometimes called a power take-off (PTO) wet kit, uses the truck’s
transmission to drive a hydraulic pump. This pump pressurises a single hydraulic line that
exits the truck. That high-pressure line can then be hooked up to hydraulic accessories like
tipper bodies, tail lifts, and cranes. The hydraulic pressure turns the accessory components.

Single-line wet kits are a simple and economical way to add essential hydraulic functions to
a truck. The main advantages are lower component costs and easier installation compared
to a twin-line system. They also draw power directly from the truck’s transmission, so no
extra engine power is required.

Walking floor wet kits provide the hydraulic power to activate slats or rollers on the trailer
floor, allowing cargo to be unloaded by "walking" it out the rear of the trailer.

The system uses a PTO hydraulic pump mounted on the truck to provide pressurised
hydraulic fluid to operate the trailer floor.
However, single-line kits only provide hydraulic flow in one direction, so the oil flow can’t be
reversed or switched off without deactivating the system, which limits what hydraulic
equipment can be used. Stalling or resistance in the accessory can also create backpressure
in the hydraulic system, damaging truck components.

So, single-line wet kits work well for simple tippers and lifts. However, you might need more
control and flexibility to run more sophisticated hydraulic machinery.

Twin Line Wet Kits

Twin or dual-line wet kits provide two hydraulic lines - allowing for more oil flow and greater
control over the system.

The twin-line system uses an engine-driven hydraulic pump separate from the transmission.
This independent pump has clutch control so that it can be engaged/disengaged on
demand.

Twin-line wet kits allow advanced hydraulic functions like powering a HIAB crane, concrete
pump, or other complex machinery. Operators can cleanly engage/disengage the system as
needed. The higher flow also allows for more versatile equipment usage.
Installing a twin-line wet kit is more labour-intensive and costly than a single-line, but for
operating heavier-duty hydraulic machinery, the twin-line setup is worth the investment.

Wet Kit Uses on Trucks

Hydraulic wet kits are common on dump trucks, concrete mixers, hook lift trucks, tow
trucks, and other specialised transport vehicles.

Typical wet kit applications include:

• Operating tipper bodies to self-unload materials like gravel or soil.
• Raising and lowering tail lifts for easy loading/offloading.
• Powering winches and cranes for lifting and moving loads.
• Running hydraulic stabiliser legs on trucks.
• Actuating moving parts on concrete mixers and pumps.

For straightforward dumping or lifting functions, a basic single-line wet kit will suffice. But
for multifunction trucks that need to run other hydraulic accessories, a twin-line setup is
preferable for complete and safe hydraulic control for various truck-mounted equipment.
We are suppliers of bespoke and pre-assembled hydraulic wet kits. Browse our collection
today and contact us if you have any questions.