Hydraulic valves in comparison
There are many manufacturers and distributors of direct acting hydraulic directional control valves. We have made the effort and compared the valves of some manufacturers on the basis of the data sheets.
We have chosen a valve type that is very common from our experience. In addition, this variant has a special feature, which we will discuss below.
Our choice fell on a 4/3-way valve in nominal size 6 (Cetop3), with the switching position A-B closed and P-T connected. We have selected 24 volts DC as the valve voltage. All valves are standard valves without additional options.
The following valve manufacturers can be found in our comparison: Bosch Rexroth, Argo Hytos, Poclain (Kladivar), Parker, Hydromot and Atos.
Circuit diagram of the valves:
Bosch Rexroth directional control valve
4WE6G6x/EG24N9K4 (item number R900561282)
Bosch Rexroth is one of the leading manufacturers of hydraulic valves especially of direct operated directional control valves. The range of variants is immense, which makes it somewhat difficult to find one’s way around the catalogs.
Here are the main technical specifications:
When selecting the valves, it should be noted here that the maximum operating pressure for the“SO407” version is only 315 bar. In addition, the maximum flow rate for solenoids with AC voltage is 60 l/min.
Flow characteristics Bosch Rexroth (pressure drop ∆p over volume flow qv)
Scheme “G” shows a pressure drop from P to A or P to B of 11 bar at a maximum flow rate of 60 l/min. From A to T or from B to T, the pressure loss is approx. 9 bar. In the middle switching position (pressureless circulation), the pressure loss at 60 l/min is approx. 13.5 bar. The valve should only be operated with this switching position up to a maximum of 60 l/min.
Performance limits:
Bosch Rexroth specifies performance limits for direct operated directional control valves in the data sheet:
Furthermore, the Bosch 4/3 directional control valve has a negative switching overlap (during the transition from a to b, all channels are briefly connected).
Price for Bosch Rexroth directional control valve 4WE6G6x/EG24N9K4
The prices for Bosch-Rexroth directional control valves vary widely. In the Bosch-Rexroth store, the price is around 400 euros, the cheapest internet price (at the time of writing) is 248.14 euros.
Parker Directional Control Valve D1VW 008C NJW
In addition to Bosch Rexroth, Parker is another leading manufacturer of direct-acting hydraulic directional control valves.
Technical data:
Parker curves (pressure loss ∆p over volume flow qv)
Diagram “008” shows a pressure drop from P to A or P to B of 9 bar at a maximum flow rate of 60 l/min. From A to T or from B to T, the pressure loss is approx. 10 bar. In the middle switching position (pressureless circulation), the pressure loss at 60 l/min is approx. 20 bar. The valve with this switching position should only be used up to max. 60 l/min should be used, otherwise the pressure loss will be too high.
Performance limits:
Parker specifies performance limits for direct operated directional control valves in the data sheet:
Like the Bosch Rexroth valve, Parker also has a negative switching overlap:
Price for Parker directional control valve D1VW 008C NJW
Online prices for Parker directional control valves are around 260,- Euro. A list price could not be determined.
Argo Hytos directional control valve RPE3-063C11/02400E1
Just like Bosch Rexroth and Parker, Argo Hytos is also one of the best-known manufacturers of directly controlled hydraulic directional control valves.
Technical data:
Characteristic curves Argo Hytos (pressure drop ∆p over volume flow qv)
Diagram “C11” shows a pressure loss from P to A or P to B of approx. 22 bar at a flow rate of 60 l/min. From A to T the pressure loss is approx. 22 bar, from B to T approx. 32 bar. In the middle switching position ( pressureless circulation), the pressure loss at 60 l/min is approx. 21 bar. The valve with this switching position should only be used up to max. 60 l/min can be used.
Performance limits:
Argo Hytos gives the following performance curves in the data sheet at max. hydraulic power, nominal temperature and 90% of nominal voltage for direct operated directional control valves:
Like Parker and Bosch Rexroth, the non Argo Hytos valve also has a negative switching overlap:
Price for Argo Hytos directional control valve RPE3-063C11/02400E1
Online prices for Argo directional control valves are around 155,- Euro. A list price could not be determined.
You want to buy an Argo Hytos valve? You can find the valve RPE3-063C11/02400E1 directly on our marketplace.
Atos directional control valve DHE-0714-X-24DC
ATOS is an Italian manufacturer of direct operated hydraulic directional control valves and also a well-known supplier of hydraulic valves . In the comparison we have chosen the valve type DHE. This one is the most comparable with the other manufacturers.
Technical data:
Characteristic curves ATOS (pressure loss ∆p over volume flow qv)
Diagram “4” shows a pressure loss from P to A or P to B of approx. 18 bar at a flow rate of 60 l/min. From A to T the pressure loss is approx. 24 bar, from B to T approx. 8 bar. In the middle switching position (pressureless circulation), the pressure loss at 60 l/min is approx. 11 bar. The valve with this switching position should only be used up to max. 60 l/min can be used.
Performance limits:
ATOS gives the following performance curves in the data sheet at max. hydraulic power, nominal temperature and 90% of nominal voltage for direct operated directional control valves:
The switching overlap specifications in the catalog show variants for positive as well as negative switching overlap:
Price for ATOS directional control valve DHE-0714-X-24DC
Online prices for ATOS directional control valves are around 145,- Euro. These are valves with a different circuit diagram. A list price could not be determined.
HYDROMOT Directional control valve DSG-3C60-N01-24V
HYDROMOT is an online distributor of direct-acting hydraulic directional control valves based in Luxembourg and has the lowest level of awareness in comparison. Since the directional control valves are offered at very low prices in relation to each other, we have included them in the comparison.
Technical data:
Characteristic curves HYDROMOT (pressure drop ∆p over volume flow qv)
The diagram “3C60” shows a pressure loss from P to A or P to B of approx. 12 bar at a flow rate of 60 l/min. From A to T and from B to T, the pressure drop is approx. 8 bar. In the middle switching position ( pressureless circulation) the pressure loss is not indicated. The valve with this switching position should only be used up to max. 60 l/min can be used.
Performance limits or performance curves
HYDROMOT does not specify performance curves in the data sheet.
Information on the switching overlap is also not to be found in the HYDROMOT catalog, so we assume a positive switching overlap (at the transition from a to b, all connection channels are briefly shut off from each other).
Price for HYDROMOT directional control valve DSG-3C60-N01-24V
The online price for the HYDROMOT directional control valve is a net price of 59.79 euros. In comparison, this valve is the most favorable.
KLADIVAR (Poclain) directional control valve KV-4/3-5KO-6-2
KLADIVAR is a Slovenian manufacturer of direct operated hydraulic directional control valves and has been part of the Poclain Group since 2006.
Technical data:
Characteristics KLADIVAR (pressure drop ∆p over volume flow qv)
Diagram “6” shows a pressure loss from P to A or P to B of approx. 11 bar at a flow rate of 60 l/min. From A to T and from B to T, the pressure drop is approx. 13 bar. In the middle switching position ( pressureless circulation), the pressure loss at 60 l/min is approx. 17 bar. The valve with this switching position should only be used up to a maximum of 60 l/min.
Performance limits or performance curves:
Kladivar gives the following performance curves in the data sheet for max. hydraulic power, nominal temperature 50 °C and 90 % of nominal voltage for direct operated directional control valves:
The data in the catalog show positive switching overlap:
Price for KLADIVAR directional control valve KV-4/3-5KO-6-2
Online prices for KLADIVAR directional control valves are around 131.61 euros. These are valves with a different circuit diagram. A list price could not be determined.
Summary of the most important technical data
Hydraulic valves in comparison – Conclusion
In comparison of the directly controlled hydraulic directional valves the directional control valves from Bosch Rexroth and Parker are, as expected, in the upper price range, with the Hydromot valve being the least expensive. However, the maximum operating pressure and the maximum allowable pressure on the tank line are lowest here. Which valve is suitable for the particular application depends on the required function.
