Vickers Incorporated, headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, was a major manufacturer of hydraulic pumps, hydraulic motors, hydraulic control valves, and complete hydraulic steering gear systems for industrial and marine applications throughout the mid-twentieth century. Vickers hydraulic equipment was installed aboard United States Navy surface vessels in steering gear systems, hydraulic boat davit drives, hydraulic cargo handling equipment drives, and gun mount hydraulic power units. According to asbestos litigation records, Vickers hydraulic pump and steering gear assemblies incorporated asbestos-containing shaft packing in hydraulic pump stuffing boxes and asbestos-containing compressed gasket materials in hydraulic system manifold covers and valve body joints, creating exposure for Machinist’s Mates and Damage Controlmen who maintained Vickers hydraulic systems in naval vessel steering gear rooms and hydraulic machinery spaces.

Hydraulic Pump and Steering Gear Asbestos

Vickers hydraulic system assemblies incorporated asbestos in shaft packing and gasket joints:

  • Hydraulic pump shaft packing — Vickers hydraulic pumps incorporated asbestos-containing braided shaft packing in pump shaft stuffing boxes. Machinist’s Mates repacking Vickers hydraulic pump shaft stuffing boxes removed and replaced the asbestos-containing shaft packing during each repacking operation, with direct handling of the asbestos packing material during removal releasing asbestos fiber
  • Steering gear hydraulic manifold gaskets — Vickers hydraulic steering gear manifold assemblies incorporated asbestos-containing compressed gasket materials at hydraulic manifold cover joints and valve body connections. Machinist’s Mates performing steering gear hydraulic system maintenance accessed Vickers steering gear hydraulic manifold assemblies, encountering asbestos-containing gasket materials at manifold cover joints during steering gear maintenance
  • Hydraulic cylinder cover gaskets — Vickers hydraulic cylinder assemblies used in steering rams and hydraulic actuators incorporated asbestos-containing compressed gasket materials at cylinder cover joints. Machinist’s Mates performing hydraulic cylinder maintenance and piston seal replacement encountered asbestos-containing gasket materials at cylinder cover joint faces during hydraulic cylinder maintenance

VA Claims for Veterans Exposed to Vickers Products

VA evaluates asbestos-related disability claims on a case-by-case basis. Veterans generally need evidence of in-service asbestos exposure, a current asbestos-related diagnosis, and a medical link between them. Machinist’s Mates who performed steering gear and hydraulic system maintenance on Vickers equipment aboard naval vessels and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.