Vickers®

Overhaul Manual
Pressure Relief

Pressure Control Valves

Hydro-Cushion Type
RF, RG and RT Series
RCF, RCG and RCT Series

Revised 9/1/87 I-3332-S

EEaton Hydraulics, Incorporated 2000
All Rights Reserved

2
Table of Contents

Section Page
I. Operating Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Table 1. Installation and Parts Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Table 2. Model Code Breakdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

II. Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Figure 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

III. Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Figure 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

IV. Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

V. Special Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Figure 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

VI. Overhaul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
A. Disassembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
B. Reassembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Figure 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Table 3. Trouble Shooting Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

3
Section I – Operating Characteristics

Type . . . . . . . . . . . . Hydro-cushion pressure control valves Operating Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maximum 2000 PSI
Operating Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . High quality lubricating oil Port Connections . . . . . . . . . . . Flange, gasket or threaded
Recommend Viscosity . . . . . . . . . 100-250 SSU @ 100°F. Mounting Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Optional

Port Capacity Parts Installation Drawing

Model
Size GPM Drawing “RC” Series “RC” Series
RT/RCT-03-**-1* I-3325-S I-132395 I-132396
3/8 inch 8
RG/RCG-03-**-1* I-3329-S I-133101 I-133103
RT/RCT-06-**-1* I-3326-S I-132395 I-132396
3/4 inch 20
RG/RCG-06-**-1* I-3330-S I-133101 I-133103
RT/RCT-10-**-1* I-3327-S I-13395 I-13296
1 1/4 inch 50
RG/RCG-10-**-1* I-3331-S I-133101 I-133103
RT/RCT-12-**-1* 1 1/2 inch 65 I-3327-S I-132395 I-132396
RF/RCF-16-**-1* 2 inch 125 I-3328-S I-133671 I-133672
Table 1. 2.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

1 Valve Type 3. 5 Port Connections 8 Circuit Application

Pressure control Nominal Pipe Size 1 - “R” Series, relief valve
03 - 3/8” female pipe thread (internal drain directly operated)
06 - 3/4” female pipe thread “RC” Series, counter balance valve
2 Valve Design 10 - 1 1/4” female pipe thread (internal drain directly operated)
C - with integral check valve 12 - 1 1/2” female pipe thread 2 - Sequence Valve
(Reverse free flow) 16 - 2” flange female pipe thread (external drain remotely operated)
Omitted - Without check valve 3 - Sequence Valve
(no reverse flow) (external drain remotely operated)
6 Pressure Rating 4 - “R” series, unloading valve
A - 75-250 PSI (with pilot piston) (internal drain remotely operated)
B - 125-500 PSI (with pilot piston) “RC” series, counter-balance valve
3 Installation D - 250-1000 PSI (with pilot piston) (internal drain remotely operated)
F - Flange connected F- 500-2000 PSI (with pilot piston)
G - Gasket mounted Z - 25-125 PSI (without pilot piston)
T - Threaded connections 9 Design Number
7 Special Application
P - Auxiliary external pilot
4 Special Feature pressure control 9 Design Modification
O - Normally open spool Omitted standard control
(decompression circuits)
Omitted - Normally closed spool
(standard)

Table 1. Model Code Breakdown

4.

For satisfactory service life of these components, use full flow filtration to provide fluid which meets ISO cleanliness code
20/18/15 or cleaner. Selections from pressure, return, and in-line filter series are recommended.

4
Section II – Description
This manual contains operation, service and overhaul provided with an integral check valve, permits reverse free
information for Vickers hydro-cushion type pressure control flow from the secondary port to the primary port when the
valves. valve is closed.
The “R” and the “RC” series valves are identical in operation Since these valves can be internally or externally drained,
except the “R” series limits flow to one direction - from the directly or remotely operated, they are adaptable to a wide
primary port to the secondary port. The “RC” series, range of applications depending on the position of the covers
in relation to the body.

Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Type 4

Align Align
with with
Body Body
Passage Passage

Drain External Drain Drain

Plugged Offset from
Connection Plugged
Body Passage

Control Remote
Port Control
Plugged Connection

Align Offset
with from
Body Body
Passage Passage
NOTE:
Cover positions illustrating threaded style valves apply to gasket mounted valves also, except the cover ports remain
plugged. External connecitons are made directly to the mounting surface or subplate fo the RG, RCG Series.

Figure 1. 6.
The four standard combinations are designated as Types 1, TYPE 3 - is externally drained and remotely operated. It is
2, 3, and 4. Each type is available with or without the integral used as a sequence valve in the same manner as Type 2
check valve, permitting reverse free flow. except, being remotely operated, the valve can be used to
sequence independently of the primary pressure when pro-
TYPE 1 - is internally drained and directly operated. It is
vided with a separate pressure source.
used as a relief valve for overload protection when the sys-
tem pressure does not exceed 500 PSI. In this application TYPE 4 - is internally drained and remotely operated. It is
the secondary port is connected directly to tank. Or, if pro- used primarily as an unloading valve where the secondary
vided with the integral check valve, it can be used as a coun- port must be connected directly to tank. Application of exter-
terbalance or brake valve. nal pressure permits the valve to open fully independent of
the primary pressure. Type 4 valves can also be used as
TYPE 2 - is externally drained and directly operated. It is
remotely operated counterbalance or brake valves when
used as a sequence valve permitting pressure buildup for
provided with the integral check valve.
the second phase of a two phase cycle, while maintaining a
minimum pressure at the primary port for a holding opera-
tion, i.e., a clamp and work stroke cycle.

5
Section III – Installation
The RT, RCT series with threaded connections and the RF, The RG, RCG series gasket mounted valves are teed into
RCF series valves with flange connections are usually the supply line. The tee connection is piped to the bottom,
installed directly in the supply line. Fluid flow is through the or pressure port in the subplate, or to the back surface of
primary pressure ports on opposite side of the valve body. the mounting area. The top, or secondary, port is piped to
The single, secondary port, on the side of the valve adjacent tank or to the secondary circuit with the covers arranged for
to the primary port, is connected to tank or to the secondary internal or external drain and direct or remote control de-
circuit depending on the application and type of valve used. pending on the valve action required.

Adjusting Screw

Spring
Poppet

E E E

Spool D D
D

B B B

A A A

C C C

Pilot
Piston
C
Spring
C C

Closed Position Open Position With Check Valve

Figure 2. 8.

6
Section IV – Operation
Figure 2 illustrates the basic operation of the various types of Fluid leakage trapped between the piston and the spool es-
valves. The point at which the valve begins to function is capes through the center hole of the spool, into spring cham-
determined by the position of the adjusting screw (which ber D, through drain passage E to chamber B and tank, or
varies the force exerted by the spring on the spool) referred externally to tank depending on the position of the top cover.
to as the pressure setting of the valve. Clockwise rotation of
the screw increases pressure. Counterclockwise rotation Valves with pressure ratings identified as A, B, D or F,
decreases pressure. require the pilot piston in the bottom cover.

The effective areas of the spool exposed to hydraulic pres- Valves of the Z (or low pressure rating) do not use the pilot
sure in primary chamber A being equal, the spool is hydrauli- piston, but use a spool without the center drain hole, in order
cally balanced and held in a normally closed position by the to prevent the pilot fluid from escaping through the drain
force of the spring. When pressure is primary chamber A - passage.
which is effective on the piston through passages C - ex-
ceeds the adjusted pressure setting, the piston is forced up- In addition to the basic units, some models may include spe-
ward moving the spool accordingly. cial features for specific applications.

The spool moving upward opens secondary chamber B per- Model code breakdown on page 4, describes in detail the
mitting pump delivery to flow into the secondary circuit, while valve types, pressure ranges and special applications avail-
maintaining a minimum pressure in primary chamber A equal able.
to the pressure setting of the valve.
Figure 3 schematically illustrates two special feature valves.
When the primary pressure decreases, compression of the The normally open spool is identified by the letter O in the
spring overcomes the hydraulic force effective on the piston model number and the auxiliary remote control feature is
and spool closes blocking flow to chamber B. identified by the letter P in the model number.

7
Section V – Special Features
The normally open spool type, used with a special counter- On the return stroke, trapped fluid under pressure in the
balance or decompression control requires a needle valve or primary port holds the valve spool and check valve closed
orifice installed between the primary port and the secondary until a small amount of fluid bleeding off through the needle
port to accomplish the decompression feature. valve or orifice reduces the trapped pressure.

Operation of this valve when used with a gravity returned When pressure drops below the valve setting, the spring
single acting ram is such that pump fluid passes free flow forces the valve spool to open directing the discharge flow
into secondary chamber B, then through the check valve and through the secondary port to tank.
chamber A into the ram. Pressure buildup in the ram closes
the spool.

When the work stroke is completed, fluid flow is diverted from

the secondary port by directing the pump delivery to tank.

DECOMPRESSION FEATURE
OPTIONAL INSTALLATIONS:

1. A Needle Valve installed

Secondary Port between the Gage Ports
Inlet Flow

B B

A A
Primary Port
outlet to ram
or control C
return flow Control
2. Orifice of size required Pressure
drilled in Check Valve C Port
Poppet to control the
rate of decompression

Normally open Spool Type “O” Auxiliary Control Type “P”

Figure 3. 11.

Valves with the “P” feature, auxiliary remote control are Operation is such that the cylinder or motor is maintained in
available in both the R* and the RC* series. a fixed position when force is removed until pilot pressure
applied to the large area of the spool, overcomes the spring
These valves may be used to stop the movement of a force. This permits the discharge fluid to pass through the
hydraulic cylinder or motor by providing hydraulic braking primary port into the secondary port and back to tank.
when the driving force is removed.
The integral check valve permits free flow from the
Because of the difference in effective areas between the secondary port to the primary for reversing action of the
bottom of the spool and the bottom of the pilot piston, the cylinder or motor.
external pilot pressure needed to open the valve to resume
movement is only one-eighth of the internal pilot pressure
required for the A, B or D rated valves and one-sixteenth of
the internal pressure required by the F rated valves.

8
Section VI – Overhaul
4. If the spool checks out satisfactorily, remove the bottom
cover. Check the pilot piston for burrs or excessive clearance
CAUTION
in the cover bore.
5. Check the bottom cover for clogged control passages.
Before breaking any circuit connections, be certain
See Trouble Shooting Table 3.
the electrical power is off and all branches of the
circuit are relieved of trapped pressure. Lower all For complete disassembly (See Figure 4), remove the valve
vertical cylinders. Discharge or isolate accumula- from the installation. Dismantle in the same order as the key
tors. Block any load whose movement could cause index numbers assigned to the exploded view.
injury to personnel or damage to the equipment.

B. Reassembly 14.
A. Disassembly 13.
Reassemble in reverse order of disassembly. Follow key
If a valve fails to function properly, the trouble can often be index numbers in Figure 4 in reverse order.
corrected without removing the valve from the installation.
This can be accomplished in the following manner. NOTE
1. Back off the adjusting screw full length to relieve all In reassembling the valves, the position of the drain
compression on the spring. passage in the top cover in relation to the drain
passage in the body, and the position of the control
2. Remove top cover screws, cover and spring. fluid passage in the bottom cover in relation to the
body passage, determines the type or function of
3. Check the valve spool for binding or excessive
the valve. See Figure 1 for cover positions.
clearance in the body bore. Be sure the pilot pistons remains
in the bottom cover during the process.

1. Adjusting Screw 17. Body - RT Series

2. Locknut 18. Body - RCT Series
3. Cover Screw 19. Body - RG Series 1
4. Cover - Top 20. Body - RCG Series 2
5. Plug - Drain Port 21. Body - RF Series 3
6. Seals or Gasket 22. Body - RCF Series 5
7. Plug 23. Screw - Mtg. 4
8. O-Ring 24. Plate - Mtg.
9. Spring 25. Seal
10. Spool 26. Seal 6
11. Cover Screw 27. Plug
12. Cover - Bottom 28. Plug
13. Seals or Gasket 29. Seal 7
14. Piston 30. Spring
15. Plug 31. Poppet
16. Plug 32. Seat 8
9
33. Neoprene Plug - Used on external
drain models only.
34. Neoprene Plug - Used on remote
control models only. 10
24 19-20
26
27 17
33

25 14
32 21-22
23 13 18 31
30
34
12 29
15
28

16 11

Figure 3. 15.

9
E. Troubleshooting Chart
Trouble Possible Cause Remedy
Erratic Pressure 1. Foreign matter in the system. Spool Drain, flush and refill system with clean
binding in the body bore. fluid. Check spool for excessive wear or
burrs. Remove burrs with India Stone.
Check body bore for wear or out-of-
round. RT and RCT series, check the
connecting piping for excessive tight-
ness distorting body.
Premature Valve Action (Low Pressure) 1. Valve improperly adjusted. Readjust valve to proper setting.

2. Drain hole through main spool Remove spool. Blow out hole with fil-
plugged. tered compressed air.

3. Main spool stuck in open position. Remove spool. Check for burrs, foreign
matter, excessive wear, out-of-round
body bore. RG and RCG series, inspect
valve mounting surfaces for flatness.

4. Control piston binding in up position. Remove bottom cover. Check piston for
burrs.
Delayed Valve Action (High Pressure) 1. Control piston binding in bottom Check for burrs, foreign matter or ex-
position. cessive wear.

2. Control fluid passage in bottom cov- Remove cover. Clear obstruction from
er plugged. control passage and blow clean with
compressed air.

Table 3. Trouble Shooting Chart

10
Eaton Hydraulics
15151 Highway 5 46 New Lane, Havant
Eden Prairie, MN 55344 Hampshire PO9 2NB
Telephone: 612 937-7254 England
Fax: 612 937-7130 Telephone: (44) 170-548-6451
[Link] Fax: (44) 170-548-7110

Form No. 00-000 Copyright Eaton Corporation, 0000

All rights reserved.
Printed in U.S.A