How do I hook up this spool valve?

[gsdavis1]

I have a Bolens HT23 that I am going to try to retrofit with power steering parts from a John Deere 420. It consists of a steering column attached to an orbital valve. The valve has ports labeled "in" "out" "left" "right" and "aux". My question is can I just cap the "aux" port? I wouldn't want to ruin my pump but I dont think I need the "aux" port. John Deere has it going to the deck lift cylinder I think (not sure though). Or maybe I should use it to add another power beyond port???? I have included a picture of the parts I bought.

Thanks for all your help guys.

Greg

[Farmerford]

The steering control unit is an orbital valve that probably has an integral priority flow divider, since there were apparently downstream devices on the John Deere. And the integral priority flow divider in an orbital steering valve (unlike flow dividers that are connected directly to the the pump outlet) probably sends the entire pump flow through the "aux" port when the steering wheel is centered and may send the entire pump flow through the steering valve when turning the wheels rapidly against a load.

If so, the aux port cannot be blocked since that would deadhead the pump. The aux port should be connected to either a downstream valve (open center) that exhausts to the tank, or the aux port should be tee'd into the "out" port where it can exhaust to tank.

[gsdavis1]

Thanks, I will probably just tee it into the out port back to the tank then.

Greg