Tandem center vs Open center valves

   / Tandem center vs Open center valves #1  

Eric_Phillips

Platinum Member
Joined
May 16, 2005
Messages
714
Location
Rochester, NY
Tractor
FarmTrac 270DTC
Tandem center is a new term I came across when looking at valves on Baileynet. Knight and Kennyd had some discussion on the subject in THIS thread. Doing some more research I the attached diagram on Brand's site. In this the first spool is open center and the last two are tandem center. The second attachment gives some description to open and tandem center.

So all these loader valves we have been using that places like Surplus Center call open center are really tandem center. Take a look at this from Surplus Center. In the description it says open center. If you go to Brand's web site and build the product code number listed it says both spools are tandem center. If it was truly open center the loader would come crashing down when in neutral.

I hope this information helps others when looking at valves and would like to hear any comments others have on this subject. I think this also might raise a lot of uncertainty when ordering a valve. When looking at Surplus Center stack valves they only say open center but I am betting they are really tandem center.
 

Attachments

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   / Tandem center vs Open center valves #2  
In common usage a tandem center (open center) valve is simply called "open center". A simple open center valve is called a "Motor valve" as they don't hold the hydraulic pressure in the load lines when in neutral. That allows a motor to continue to spin down and not blow out the line should there not be a cushion valve in the circuit.

jb
 
   / Tandem center vs Open center valves #3  
I believe the completed description would be "open center / 4-way" valve. A closed center valve blocks pump to tank flow in nuetral, an open center allows pump flow to the tank in nuetral.

"Tandem and Parralel" usually refers to the relationship of flow between the spools in a stacked or multiple spool configuration. "Open Center" and "Closed Center" refer to the pump-to-tank flow in the spool nuetral position.
 
   / Tandem center vs Open center valves #4  
Tandem center is P->T with A and B blocked.

Open center is PTAB all open to each other

Closed center is PTAB all blocked

Float center is P blocked and TAB all open.

There are others but these are the most common.

Valve type will depend on the load control of the actuators (PO Check, counter balance, etc) and pump typed (variable volume or fixed).
 
   / Tandem center vs Open center valves #5  
And in your first pic, the first valve is float center, the next two are closed center, and they are all power beyond valves.
 
   / Tandem center vs Open center valves #6  
A loader valve running open center refers to the neutral position being open to tank. Load checks will keep the loader in the air.
 
   / Tandem center vs Open center valves #9  
Necrothread alert!
posted by @Eric_Phillips: "Tandem center is a new term I came across when looking at valves on Baileynet. Knight and Kennyd had some discussion on the subject in THIS thread."

The link doesn't work for me. Do either of you gentlemen have the correct one (please)?
 
   / Tandem center vs Open center valves #10  
No clue how to find it now @dicktill , that link was done on the older forum software format.
 

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