Where three way switching is required, a series of four port, three way directional valves are capable of switching high flows of up to 85 litre/min.

Whether you use hydraulics for operating manlifts, telescopic handlers, refuse trucks, crushers or any of the myriad of other applications, you will need to switch hydraulic pressure and flow from one component to another. Where three way switching is required, UK based hydraulics specialists Sterling Hydraulics have the answer. Their new N04 series of four port, three way directional valves sets new standards of performance.

As the UK's leading designer and manufacturer of hydraulic cartridge valves, Sterling Hydraulics' products are used in a wide range of applications including construction and earth moving equipment, agricultural and forestry machines, mining equipment and industrial machinery.

In fact anywhere where performance and reliability are the watchwords.

The N04 pilot operated spool valves are capable of switching high flows of up to 85 litre/min and are important components in building hydraulic control systems.

In a standard aluminium line body it can operate at up to 210 bar, and a zinc plated steel version is available for pressures up to 420 bar.

Both are 10-4 industry common cavity compliant.

The valves are available as normally open port 2 to port 1 (N04H4) or normally open port 2 to port 3 (N04G4).

In either case the spool is shifted, at the valve setting, by pilot pressure against a return spring, with the spring chamber being vented to atmosphere where dual Shamban seals prevent hydraulic fluid leakage.

Although the standard switching pressure is 10 bar, Sterling Hydraulics can supply the valves to suit customers' requirements for other switching pressures.

The transition is open, so that the spool progressively interconnects all three ports then closes the normally open port and finally opens the normally closed port.

All N04G4 and N04H4 valves are manufactured and assembled at Sterling Hydraulics UK factory and receive 100% testing prior to despatch.

The N04 range of valves can be combined in many ways either into a manifold with other valves to form a complete hydraulic circuit or one possibility is to use two N04 valves and a solenoid valve in combination to make an electrically operated 6 port diverter valve.

With operations in both Europe and the USA, Sterling Hydraulics is now recognised as a world leader in the design and manufacture of screw-in hydraulic cartridge valves and custom manifold blocks.

More than this, Sterling Hydraulics has a reputation for working closely with customers to find the best solutions for their specific hydraulic requirements.

Sterling Hydraulics' products are available internationally via a network of over 30 distributors covering Europe, Africa, the Pacific Rim, and the Middle East, with an additional extensive distribution network across North and South America.