These motors are used to generate torque and rotation. This type often resembles the pumps that are utilized upstream in a drive system, only in reverse. Where the initial pump ran a cyclical process to produce pressure, the pressure in the motor pushes a cyclical process.

Gear motors can run any machine that utilizes gear action to run a process. The high pressure fluid runs over a gear, turning it, then into a drain outlet. A second gear is turned by the first while not having to actually contact the working liquid. This motor type is very simple and effective.

Vane motors run by having a pair of offset, concentric cylinders. They operate by filling an empty space with the high pressure fluid that causes the outer cylinder to go off balance and rotate. This drives the central cylinder, expels the spent fluid, and allows fresh pressurized liquid to enter the chamber. Like gear motors above, they are low maintenance models best suited for high RPM applications.

Axial plunger motors are the most common type. Cylinders are pressurized in a cycle to create an alternating plunger motion that is regulated with a gearbox to a set RPM. This model is very adaptable and sees use in many different applications.

For very low RPM requirements and a high initial torque, a radial piston motor is used. This arrangement has a set of pistons arranged in a ring around a central chamber where the working fluid drives the cylinders in turn.