Exhibit 5.1


               [LETTERHEAD OF SHUMAKER, LOOP & KENDRICK, LLP]




   
                               December 19, 1996




Sun Hydraulics Corporation
1500 West University Parkway
Sarasota, Florida  34243-2290

Attention:  Clyde G. Nixon, President

      Re:  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
           REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-1
           2,300,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, $.001 PAR VALUE

Gentlemen:

            We are legal counsel to Sun Hydraulics Corporation, a Florida
corporation (the "Company"), and have acted as such in the preparation and
filing of its Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-14183)
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the General Rules
and Regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder for the registration and sale
by the Company of up to 2,300,000 shares (the "Shares") of the common stock,
par value $.001 per share, of the Company.  In connection with the following
opinion, we have examined and have relied upon such documents, records,
certificates, statements and instruments as we have deemed necessary and
appropriate to render the opinion herein set forth.

            Based upon the foregoing, it is our opinion that the Shares, when
and if issued and sold in the manner set forth in the Registration Statement,
will be legally and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

            The undersigned hereby consents to (i) filing this opinion as
Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and (ii) using
    



   
Sun Hydraulics Corporation
December 19, 1996
Page 2



its name in the Registration Statement under the following caption of the
Prospectus: "LEGAL MATTERS."

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    SHUMAKER, LOOP & KENDRICK, LLP

                                    /s/ Gregory C. Yadley