External gear pumps can come in single or double (two sets of gears) pump configurations with spur (shown), helical, and herringbone gears. Helical and herringbone gears typically offer a smoother flow than spur gears, although all gear types are relatively smooth. Large-capacity external gear pumps typically use helical or herringbone gears. Small external gear pumps usually operate at 1750 or 3450 rpm and larger models operate at speeds up to 640 rpm. External gear pumps have close tolerances and shaft support on both sides of the gears. This allows them to run to pressures beyond 3,000 PSI / 200 BAR, making them well suited for use in hydraulics. With four bearings in the liquid and tight tolerances, they are not well suited to handling abrasive or extreme high temperature applications.External gear pumps are similar in pumping action to internal gear pumps in that two gears come into and out of mesh to produce flow. However, the external gear pump uses two identical gears rotating against each other -- one gear is driven by a motor and it in turn drives the other gear. Each gear is supported by a shaft with bearings on both sides of the gear.