Abstract: A pump supplies via in each case a directional valve with associated pressure balance fluid or pressure medium to a plurality of loads. When the pump power is not sufficient a proportional quantity reduction is achieved at all loads in that the control voltages of the control members for electrical actuation of the directional valves are supplied to a summation stage and the sum voltage is compared in a comparison stage with a limit value corresponding to the maximum pump displacement, whereupon when the limit value is exceeded a control signal is generated with which the stroke of the driven directional valves is reduced.