Every hydraulic system is comprised of many different parts and if your system is going to function properly, they all need to be able to work together. If one component is not quite right it can affect the entire system’s performance and can cause all sorts of issues.
Hydraulic valves are a critical part of any hydraulic system so you need to be sure that you choose the right valve to suit your application. There are a huge variety of different valves out there so it’s easy to become overwhelmed during the selection process. If you aren’t sure what type of hydraulic valve will work best for you, it’s always a good idea to seek professional advice.
In a hydraulic system, valves are used for oil control – managing the flow of hydraulic fluid throughout your system. There are a number of different types of hydraulic valves available including:
- Flow control valves
- Pressure control valves
- Directional control valves
- Proportional valves
- Load holding valves
- Isolation valves
When trying to determine the right hydraulic valve type for your system there are a few things you should consider:
- What function does the valve need to perform in your application?
- What are the flow and pressure requirements of the valve?
- How will the valve be controlled; manually (by levers or knobs), mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically or electrically (by solenoids)?
- How will the valve be connected to your system; in-line with pipe or hose, mounted on or within a manifold?
Selection of the right hydraulic valve type requires an in-depth knowledge of your application and the function the valve will be expected to perform. You will also need to be aware of certain factors including the valve’s pressure drop, frequency, adjustment range, leakage rate and required fluid cleanliness among others.
The wrong valve choice will affect the functionality of your system and often leads to problems in other areas of your system which can be costly to resolve. Issues that can be caused by poor valve choice include over pressurisation leading to component damage, poor performance and efficiency, cavitation, malfunction and machine damage.