AbstractThis paper describes a comparative economic study of electric and hydraulic power transmission. the data and results apply to a particular site, but the methodology is generally applicable. the study used mathematical models of the various components in electromechanical and hydraulic power transmission systems to determine in each case the necessary energy input to supply a specified load cycle at the machine tool spindle. the study concludes that a central hydraulic system on the site studied would operate with 20 per cent less energy consumption than the existing electromechanical system. the economic appraisal of the merits of electromechanical and hydraulic power distribution systems is dominated by capital savings in the final drives; these are assessed.