EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. … Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation has added manual lever valves (MLV9) to its line of Vickers® screw-in cartridge valves (SiVCs). Intended for both mobile and stationary industrial applications at pressures up to 210 bar (3,000 psi), the new valves are designed to be easily integrated into custom manifold blocks, or manifold circuit designs (MCDs), which combine multiple cartridge valves in a common manifold block.

MCDs offer substantial cost savings and can be as extensive as necessary to meet the most complex hydraulic applications, or as simple as a few cartridges. Among the advantages offered by the new MLV9 series of manual lever valves when used independently or included in an MCD:

• Fewer potential leakage points for a cleaner, safer application environment;

• Very neat, compact assemblies that save weight and space; and

• Highly efficient, low maintenance systems with improved productivity via optimized circuitry.

Ideal for such rugged environments as off-highway equipment, wind power and steel mills, Eaton's new manual lever valves can replace other manual valves including pull/push-to-shift, 3-position, 4-way, tandem center, mobile sectional, and manually-operated industrial models. They are offered in open center, closed center, tandem pool, and motor spool configurations.

The motor spool features an open center which permits a motor to freewheel when the valve is centered, rather than being brought to a stop. Motor spools can also be used for directional control of cylinders in applications in which the cylinder is free to move when not being extended or retracted.

"The handle is extremely robust," explained Thelma Gutierrez-Anderson, Eaton’s Hydraulics Operations product manager, screw-in cartridge valves. "While the same functionality can be achieved with other types of valves, ease of use makes the MLV9 the better choice."

The new MLV9 series manual lever valves are part of Vickers’ range of high-performance SiVCs which covers sizes up to 350 bar and 150 l/min. with direct acting, proportional and solenoid, flow control, pressure control and directional control models. All Vickers SiCVs are National Fluid Power Association rated to guarantee high performance.

Eaton’s Hydraulics Operations is a business segment of Eaton’s Fluid Power Group. The business is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of a comprehensive line of reliable, high-efficiency hydraulic systems and components for use in mobile and industrial applications. Mobile and industrial markets include agriculture, construction, mining, forestry, utility, material handling, earthmoving, truck and bus, machine tools, molding, primary metals, automotive, power generation, port machinery and entertainment. Eaton’s Hydraulics Operations provides customer-driven solutions under brand names such as Aeroquip®, Boston®, Char-Lynn®, Eaton®, Hydro-Line®, Vickers® and Weatherhead®. For more information, visit www.hydraulics.eaton.com.

Eaton Corporation is a diversified industrial manufacturer with 2007 sales of $13.0 billion. Eaton is a global leader in electrical systems and components for power quality, distribution and control; fluid power systems and services for industrial, mobile and aircraft equipment; intelligent truck drivetrain systems for safety and fuel economy; and automotive engine air management systems, powertrain solutions and specialty controls for performance, fuel economy and safety. Eaton has 70,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.

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