Bob'S Machine Power Steering Pumps

Bob's Machine Hydraulic Pumps for Marine Steering and Positioning

Bob's Machine isn't a conventional automotive pump rebuilder. It is a Tampa, Florida fabrication shop that has built hydraulic and manual jack plates, tilt and trim, setback brackets and rigging for outboard boats since 1978. That heritage shapes its approach to pumps. Rather than offering a broad catalog of passenger-car steering pumps, the company engineers compact hydraulic pump units that drive its own marine hardware, and those pumps appear here alongside power steering pumps from other makers.

The Electro-Hydraulic Action Pump

The pump most associated with the brand is the Action Series unit. The Gen 2 design is described by the manufacturer as a complete hydraulic pump, reservoir and motor in one compact unit. An all-in-one package matters in boat rigging because it eliminates separate reservoirs and remote plumbing, leaving fewer fittings to leak and less hardware to fit behind a transom.

Bob's introduced the Gen 2 pump in 2022, and it is positioned as a faster, smoother unit for heavier loads. The assembly is supplied with wire and a Deutsch connector to plug directly into Bob's Action relay kit, which simplifies installation for owners upgrading or repairing an existing setup.

Fitment Considerations

Pumps in this line are application-specific, so matching the unit to your hardware is the most important step before buying. Keep these points in mind:

• Model year: Jack plates manufactured in 2020 and later need only the pump, while 2019 and earlier plates need the refit kit with a new clevis bracket and lower bar.
• Stroke and size: the Action pump is built around a 6-inch stroke, and variants exist for different plate sizes and for tilt and trim use.
• Motor housing: Bob's notes that metal housing motors won't bolt to plastic motor valve bodies and vice-versa, so confirm what is on your existing pump.
• Intended use: these are electro-hydraulic units for marine positioning gear, not belt-driven pumps for a vehicle's engine-mounted steering system.

Why It Stands Out in This Category

Most power steering pumps are designed to be a supporting component of a larger system. Bob's Machine takes the opposite view: the pump is part of a purpose-built hydraulic assembly made by a company whose main line is jack plates. That focus gives owners of Action Series plates a direct, manufacturer-matched replacement path, and the pump is also marketed for use in your own creative projects, which appeals to fabricators building custom hydraulic setups.

If you are comparing options, browse the wider Power Steering Pumps category for engine-driven replacements, or visit the Bob's Machine brand page to see the full range of jack plates, accessories and rigging hardware that these pumps are designed to serve.