Ch17

17
CHAPTER
Pressure-
Compensating (PC)
Hydraulic Systems
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Objectives Introduction to Closed-
After studying this chapter, you will be able to:
P Center Systems
✓ Describe the first closed-center hydraulic system Pressure-compensating (PC) systems were the first type
used in the agricultural industry. of closed-center hydraulic system used in the agricultur-
✓ Describe the system flow and pressure when a al industry, being offered from 1960 through 1999. These
PC hydraulic system has the DCVs in a neutral systems use a variable-displacement pump that produces
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constant high pressure and very little flow when the direc-
position.
tional control valves (DCVs) are in a neutral position. See
✓ Explain how a John Deere PC radial piston pump Figure 17‑1.
destrokes and upstrokes. PC systems are unique, and today, practically no agri-
✓ Explain how an inline axial PC pump upstrokes cultural or construction manufacturer use a traditional PC
system as their main hydraulic system. Eaton calls the PC
and destrokes.
hydraulic system a pressure-limiting hydraulic system.
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✓ List the advantages and disadvantages of a Some Parker Hannifin literature calls the hydraulic sys-
pressure-compensating hydraulic system. tem constant-pressure. Bosch Rexroth labels their vari-
✓ Explain why open-center hydraulic systems are able displacement pump controllers with letters and they
call their PC variable-displacement pump control the DR
not operated at a constant high system pressure.
pressure controller. PC hydraulic systems are still used
✓ List examples of off-highway machines in which on new industrial hydraulic equipment, and twentieth-
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LSPC pumps operate as PC pumps. century agricultural tractors equipped with PC hydraulic
✓ List applications in which PC pumps are used systems are still being used today.
The PC system uses a variable-displacement pump that
with open-center DCVs.
is designed to shut off flow once the pump reaches the pres-
✓ Explain how dual-flow, constant-horsepower, sure compensator’s spring value. In reality, the pump still
variable-displacement, open-center hydraulic generates a small amount of flow that is required to main-
systems upstroke and destroke. tain a constant high pressure while overcoming small sys-
tem inefficiencies, such as leaks in the pump controls and
leaks in the DCVs. The pump builds its highest pressure
once the DCVs are returned to neutral or after a hydraulic
cylinder reaches its end of travel.
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 455

456 Hydraulic Systems for Mobile Equipment
Pressure
Flow PC
closed center
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 17‑1. A PC closed-center hydraulic system has practically no flow and maximum

pressure when the DCVs are in a neutral position.
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Note
One hydraulic pump manufacturer has described PC hydraulic
systems as a flow-matching system because, when a DCV is
actuated, the PC pump will match the flow requested by the DCV.
However, Chapter 19 explains that the term flow matching is also
used to describe a much different hydraulic system called a flow-
sharing hydraulic system.
Traditional PC systems and traditional open-center systems exhibit opposite charac-

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teristics when their DCVs are in a neutral position. Open-center systems have high flow and
low pressures, while PC systems have high pressure and low flow.
John Deere PC Systems

John Deere was one of the first mobile equipment manufacturers to use a closed-center
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hydraulic system. In 1960, with the introduction of the 10 series agricultural tractors, John
Deere revolutionized tractor hydraulics by introducing a variable-displacement pressure-
compensating (PC) hydraulic system. This was the first time farmers got to experience a
hydraulic system designed to operate at a constant high pressure with practically no flow
when the closed-center DCVs were in a neutral position.
John Deere continued using this type of hydraulic system for nearly thirty-five years,
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in both agricultural equipment and construction equipment. From 1960 until 1994, John
Deere produced 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 55, and 60 series agricultural tractors that used PC hydrau-
lics. They also produced numerous other agricultural and construction machines with PC
systems.
Massey Ferguson PC Systems

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Massey Ferguson followed closely behind John Deere and began offering a PC hydraulic sys-
tem on their MF 1100, 1105, 1130, 1135, 1150 and 1155 tractors. The MF 1100 and MF 1130
were introduced in 1964. The last year of these models of tractors was in 1978, which was the
last year for the MF 1105 and MF 1135. These PC hydraulic systems were designed to main-
tain a constant pressure between 2100 to 2400 psi.
Minneapolis Moline PC Systems

Minneapolis Moline manufactured several models of agricultural tractors that used PC
hydraulic systems. Examples of some of the models were G850, G900, G1050, G1350, G955,
and G1355. Some 50 and 100 series tractors could be either open-center or PC hydraulic
systems. However, the 55 series all had PC hydraulic systems. These tractors were produced
from 1967 with model G900 until 1974 with models G955 and G1355.
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Chapter 17 Pressure-Compensating (PC) Hydraulic Systems 457
Oliver PC Systems
Oliver manufactured several models of agricultural tractors that used PC hydraulic sys-
tems. Examples of some of the models were 1755, 1855, 1955, 2155, and 2255. These tractors
were produced from 1969 until 1976.
White PC Systems
White manufactured several models of agricultural tractors that used PC hydraulic sys-
tems. Examples of some of the models were 100, 120, 125, 140, 145, 160, 170, 185, 195, 2-85,
2-88, 2-105, 2-110, 2-135, 2-150, 2-155, 2-180, 4-150, 4-180, 4-210, 4-225, 4-270, 6125, 6145, 6175,
6195, and 6215. The years that these tractors were produced ranged from 1974 with models
2-105, 4-150, 4-180, through the 1999 with models 6175, 6195, 6215.
Deutz Allis PC Systems
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Deutz Allis manufactured several models of agricultural tractors that used PC hydraulic
systems. Examples of some of the models were 9130, 9150, 9170, and 9190. These tractors
were produced in 1989 and 1990.
AGCO Allis PC Systems

AGCO Allis manufactured several models of agricultural tractors that used PC hydraulic
systems. Examples of some of the models were 9630, 9635, 9650, 9655, 9670, 9675, 9690, 9695,
and 9815. The years that these tractors were produced were from 1993 to 1998.
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Pressure-Compensating Pump Symbols
A pressure-compensating pump symbol can vary depending on the choice of the manufac-
turer. See Figure 17‑2. Pressure-compensating pumps sense the pump’s output pressure.
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When the pump’s output pressure reaches the value of the pressure-compensated valve, the
pump will destroke. These three PC pump symbols are examples that can be used to depict
a pressure-compensating pump. In the first two symbols, the arrow within the rectangle
represents the pressure-compensated valve. In the last symbol, the pilot line is operating the
pressure-compensated valve.
A
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PC pump PC pump PC pump

Figure 17‑2. Pressure-compensating pump symbols.

Pump Frame Designs

Although a true PC hydraulic system is not commonly found in mobile machinery today,
many industrial manufacturing facilities still use a true PC hydraulic system. There are also
agricultural and construction machines from the last four decades that are still in operation
today using these systems.
PC hydraulic systems can use any type of variable-displacement pump design, such as:
• Variable vane.
• Bent-axis piston.
• Inline axial piston.
• Radial piston.
John Deere Radial Displacement PC Systems
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The John Deere PC systems use radial displacement pumps. See Figure 17‑3. John Deere
named their pumps 1000, 2000, and 3000 series pumps. They were installed in thousands
of agricultural and construction machines. The Deere PC pumps are normally mounted at
the front of the machine and driven off the front of the engine’s crankshaft, rotating in a
counterclockwise direction. The pumps have a single bank of eight pistons, or dual banks
containing two sets of eight pistons. See Figure 17‑4 for pump displacements.
As explained in Chapter 4, radial displacement pumps can be classified as rotating cam
or rotating piston. The John Deere PC pumps are rotating cam pumps. In a rotating cam
pump, an eccentric cam is mounted on the pump’s input shaft. See Figure 17‑5A. As the
input shaft rotates, the cam pushes the pistons into their bore. This is the pumping stroke
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of the piston. As the cam rotates away from the piston, a spring pushes the piston out of its
bore. This is the piston’s intake stroke.
Each of the pump pistons has its own inlet and outlet check valves. The inlet check
valves are mounted inside a round oil gallery, which receives oil from a charge pump and
distributes oil to each of the inlet valves. The inlet check valves allow the charge oil into the
piston’s bore during the piston’s intake stroke.
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A
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3000 series 2000 series

pump pump
Figure 17‑3. From 1960 until 1994, John Deere used radial displacement PC piston
pumps. The pump on the right is a John Deere 2000 series pump, and the pump on the
left is a 3000 series pump.

Pump Model Displacement

1000-Series Single Bank 11 cm3
2000-Series Double Bank 100 cm3
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Figure 17‑4. John Deere PC radial displacement piston pumps range in displacement
depending on the pump series and whether the pump uses a single or double bank of pistons.
The outlet check valves are also mounted inside an oil gallery. The outlet check valves
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are smaller than the inlet valves. The outlet check valves allow oil to leave the piston’s bore
during the pumping stroke. The outlet gallery receives the oil from the outlet valves and
directs the oil to the pump’s outlet port.
Pump Compensator
The pump uses a pump compensator to shut off the pump flow when the system reach-
es high pressure. The pump compensator is the brain of the variable-displacement pump.
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Pump compensators can use one or more valves for controlling the pump’s flow.
The John Deere radial piston pump compensator performs two functions:
• Directs fluid into the pump case to shut the pump flow off.
• Directs fluid out of the pump case to turn on the pump flow.
The 1000 series and 2000 series pumps use two valves for controlling the pump, a stroke
control valve and a crankcase outlet valve. The stroke control valve has the responsibility to
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destroke the pump by delivering pressurized oil into the pump’s case. The crankcase outlet
valve has the responsibility to upstroke the pump by draining oil out of the pump’s case.
When the pump controls direct pressurized oil into the pump’s case, the oil pressure
holds the pistons in a retracted position. The input shaft/cam assembly will continue to spin
at engine rpm, but because the pressure is holding the pistons retracted, no flow will occur.
When the pump controls drain the case pressure, the pistons are allowed to reciprocate
inside their bores, causing the pump to flow oil. The extent to which the pistons are held
retracted in their bores will dictate how much flow is produced by the pump. For example, if
the pistons are held 50% retracted, the pump produces 50% pump flow.
Figure 17‑5 is an image of a John Deere pump that has been cut away to further illustrate
pump operation. In Figure 17‑5A, the top piston is pressed into the pump housing by the cam.

Piston fully Eccentric

Inlet check
retracted cam
valve
Outlet
check
valve
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Gallery
Piston fully
Return extended
spring
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A
B Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 17‑5. Rotating cam pump. A—The top piston is retracted by the cam shaft. B—The
cam has been rotated. The top piston is now pushed out of its bore by the piston’s return
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spring.
That piston is at the end of its pumping stroke. In Figure 17‑5B, the top piston has been pushed
out of its bore by the piston’s return spring. The piston is at the end of the intake stroke.
When the closed-center DCVs are in a neutral position, pump flow is blocked, causing
the system pressure to build. As a result, the stroke control valve will open, which will send
oil pressure into the pump’s case to hold the pistons retracted. See Figure 17‑6A.
When the operator actuates a DCV, requesting oil to flow to an actuator, pump outlet pressure
will drop. As a result, the stroke control valve will close while the crankcase outlet valve will open.
Because of the movement of these two valves, the crankcase oil pressure will drop, which causes
the pump’s piston to begin reciprocating again, causing the pump to flow oil. See Figure 17‑6B.
Notice on this style of hydraulic system that the variable pump flow is controlled entirely
by the pump’s compensator control and that the system does not require any type of external

Inlet Outlet
Piston
Stroke
control
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Crankcase valve
Crankcase
outlet valve
Cam
Inlet Outlet
P Piston
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Stroke
control
Crankcase valve
A
Crankcase
outlet valve
Cam
B Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 17‑6. A rotating cam PC piston pump. A—Pressurized oil is directed into the
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pump’s case to hold the pistons retracted, which causes the pump to destroke. B—As a
DCV opens, the system pressure drops, resulting in the stroke control valve closing and
the crankcase outlet valve opening. The pistons are now allowed to reciprocate, which
causes the pump to deliver oil flow.
sensing line, also known as a signal line. Late-model variable-displacement pump controls
typically require some type of feedback, which can be hydraulic or electronic. Chapter 18
explains that LSPC systems require the use of a hydraulic signal network consisting of a
series of primary and secondary shuttle valves. This network is responsible for signaling
the highest system working pressure to a margin spool, which controls the system’s flow.
Electronic controls consist of pressure sensors and swash plate angle sensors, which send
feedback to a control module so it can accurately control the pump’s electronic actuator.

Case Study Flow and Pressure in a PC System

A technician assisted a contractor on a 1994 John Deere 410D loader backhoe that
contained a 3000 series radial-displacement piston pump. The $5000 pump had
already been replaced at 8000 hours. However, approximately 3000 hours later, the
hydraulic system began having intermittent problems. The pump control schematic is
shown in Figure 17‑7. Notice that this 3000 series pump has two valves, a crankcase
relief valve, and a pressure-compensated valve, for controlling the pump’s variable
flow. The PC valve is used to control the pump flow. The crankcase relief valve is used
to reduce pressure spikes.
The pump also has a destroking solenoid valve. Some Deere PC pumps incor-
porate methods like the destroking solenoid to allow the tractor’s diesel engine to start
without a hydraulic load. Previously, an electrical short was found in the destroking
solenoid circuit. The intermittent hydraulic problem had also started around the time
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the shorted destroking solenoid was discovered. See Figure 17‑8.
Much time, care, and diagnosis was given to this portion of the pump control.
The solenoid coil was physically removed from the solenoid’s armature to eliminate
the possibility of an electrical short destroking the pump. The tractor performed well
for two days after the coil was removed from the solenoid’s armature, and it was sus-
pected that an electrical problem had been intermittently destroking the pump.
However, a few days later, the hydraulic system began to perform poorly once
again. More time and energy was spent diagnosing the variable pump controls. The
old pump was still accessible. Therefore, the pump controls were removed from the
old pump and were installed on the new pump, but the backhoe continued to intermit-
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tently dig poorly. Multiple pressures were measured, including pump case pressure.
The standby pressure, specification was 2750 psi (190 bar) at 2000 engine rpm
at operating temperature. Standby pressure is the high pressure setting that a PC
pump maintains when the DCVs are in a neutral position and the pump is standing-
by, waiting to perform work. The pump’s standby pressure was low, varying between
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900 psi (62 bar) and 1500 psi (103 bar).
Unfortunately, the service literature did not provide a specification for pump
case pressure in the standby mode, even though the manual specified the location
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Pump outlet psi

Crankcase psi Crankcase
relief valve
Inlet /charge psi
Pressure-
compensated
valve
Figure 17‑7. John Deere 410D loader backhoe PC pump controls use a

pressure compensator valve and a crankcase relief valve.

Destroking
solenoid
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Figure 17‑8. This John Deere 3000 series PC pump uses a destroking

solenoid valve that holds the pump destroked during engine starting to ease
the load on the starter.
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for measuring the pressure. The backhoe’s case pressure measured approximately
150 psi (10 bar). Later, after the tractor was successfully repaired, it was determined
that the pump case pressure was closer to 200 psi (14 bar) in the standby mode. Also
note that this system was designed to have an unusually high pump case pressure.
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Many pump seals will leak if case pressure climbs above 15 to 30 psi (1 to 2 bar).
After multiple pressure measurements were taken, the technician thought about
removing the pump and taking it to the dealership to be rebuilt. As it turns out, that
would not have fixed the problem. The service manual, like most manuals, was not
100% comprehensive. It did not provide the critical step-by-step process needed to
isolate the problem.
The customer mentioned a noise sometimes occurred at the back of the machine,
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but the pump was located at the front of the machine. After listening intently to the cus-
tomer’s description of the symptoms and analyzing the pump controls and hydraulic
schematics, the technician dug further into the service literature and schematics. He
began to suspect the system’s main relief valve was dumping oil, acting like an open-
center valve.
The main system relief valve was located at the back of the machine in the back-
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hoe’s valve block. Therefore, a flowmeter was installed at the pump’s outlet, so that
the pump could be isolated from all of the other valves. See Figure 17‑9. Chapter 24
details precautions about connecting a flowmeter to a hydraulic system and the risks
associated with using flowmeters.
Note that service manuals do not always provide the easiest steps for installing
a flowmeter, or provide multiple locations for installing a flowmeter. Also, note that
installing a flowmeter can take a long time and might require the use of specially fab-
ricated hoses or fittings. It is for that reason that technicians sometimes replace parts
without a clear idea of the cause of the problem. Novice technicians often believe
it is faster to simply replace parts than to install diagnostic test equipment that can
properly diagnose a malfunctioning system. Unfortunately, this approach can result
in unnecessary part replacements, delays in the machine’s availability, and a drop in
customer satisfaction.

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P Flowmeter
Figure 17‑9. A flowmeter was connected immediately after the PC pump. Two

hoses were specially fabricated to enable the installation of the flowmeter.
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Properly understanding the operation of PC systems enabled the customer and
technician to diagnose and repair the problem. With the flowmeter installed and the
DCVs in a neutral position, the flowmeter was measuring 20 gpm (76 lpm). Remember
that standby pressure fluctuated, sometimes measuring as little as 900 psi (62 bar)
and sometimes as high as 1500 psi (103 bar), even though the specification was
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2750 psi (190 bar). The key to this problem is being able to answer the questions:
• What is a normal measurement of pump flow and pump pressure for a PC
pump when the DCVs are in a neutral position?
• Should a PC pump be flowing 20 gpm (76 lpm)?
• Should standby pressure be 900 to 1500 psi (62 to 103 bar)?
PC systems should have practically no flow and maximum system pressure when
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the DCVs are in a neutral position. The flowmeter’s load valve was slowly closed
and, because there were no components between the pump and flowmeter, the
pump’s flow slowly dropped and standby pump pressure climbed, eventually reaching
2750 psi (190 bar) at 0 gpm (0 lpm).
As a result of installing the flowmeter, it was clearly determined that the pump
compensator was performing as it should, and therefore the pump was not removed
from the tractor. At this point, it was clear that, somewhere downstream of the pump,
a valve was causing a leak in the hydraulic system. The main system relief valve was
removed, inspected, and found to be faulty. Interestingly, a flashlight was placed at
the end of the relief valve, and it was easy to see that the valve was not blocking off
the light and that it was partially open, causing a leak. After a new main system relief
valve was installed, the loader backhoe was put back into service and had excellent
hydraulic performance. See Figure 17‑10 for a schematic of the tractor.

Surge relief (120 psi)

Backhoe valves
System relief valve

(3100 psi)
Charge pump
Flowmeter
Pressure- Steering priority valve

compensating
pump Swing valve
(2750 psi) Loader valves
Steering control
valve Boom valve
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Boom valve
Bucket valve
Bucket valve
P Auxiliary valve
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Crowd valve
A
Auxiliary valve
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Figure 17‑10. This schematic illustrates the DCVs used on the Deere 410D loader backhoe.
Another diagnostic tip can be gleaned from the test that measured the pump’s
case pressure. Even though the service manual did not list any specification, but
only identified the port for measuring case pressure, it was determined that the case
pressure was the highest when the destroking solenoid was energized, measuring
180 psi (12 bar), and at certain times the pump case pressure could drop to 120 psi
(8 bar). This means that when the pump is attempting to destroke, it takes a higher
case pressure such as 180 psi to 200 psi (12 to 14 bar) to shut off the flow and put the
pump in standby mode. When the pump case pressure drops (such as 120 psi/8 bar),
the pump produces flow because the pistons reciprocate. Therefore, if the machine

appears to be malfunctioning and unable to dig and if the case pressure is too low,
it is possible that the pump is flowing oil across a leak somewhere in the circuit due
to the low case pressure. Although a flowmeter is the best measure for flow rating
a radial displacement PC pump, the case pressure does provide some useful data
since it has an inverse relationship to pump flow. See Figure 17‑11.
Note that some agricultural variable-displacement pumps commonly do not use a
main system relief valve, but rely solely on the pump’s compensator as the only method
for relieving maximum system pressure. However, many construction machines that
have variable-displacement pumps do have a main system relief valve. Such a valve
should not open during normal operation, but is in the system as a backup in case the
pump compensator fails.
Two other key points can be drawn from this case study. First, any time a techni-
cian is going to condemn a hydraulic pump, especially an expensive one, a flowmeter
should first be used to isolate the pump and measure the pump’s flow and pressure.
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The second important point is that it is imperative to know the fundamentals regarding
what type of pressure and flow a PC pump should exhibit when the DCVs are in a
neutral position. In this case, the technician found 20 gpm (76 lpm) and a standby
pressure of 900 psi (62 bar). At first glance, the technician might think that the system
was behaving like an open-center hydraulic system. This would have led to an
improper diagnosis of the problem. A technician should never jump to conclusions
that a system is an open-center or a PC system by simply measuring pump flow and
pressure. Correctly determine what style of hydraulic system the equipment uses
before measuring pump flow and pressure.
P Increase
pump flow
Increased pump
case pressure
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Decreased pump Decrease
case pressure pump flow
Figure 17‑11. A radial piston pump requires an increase in case pressure to reduce pump
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flow, an inverse relationship.
Massey Ferguson Radial-Displacement Piston PC Pumps

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Massey Ferguson produced the 1100, 1105, 1130, 1135, 1150, and 1155 agricultural tractors that
had a PC hydraulic system. Like the John Deere PC system, the Massey Ferguson PC hydraulic
systems also used a radial-displacement PC piston pump that was in the front of the tractor
and driven off the engine’s crankshaft. It also was a rotating cam design with eight pistons.
Inline Axial Piston Pump PC Systems

The pump compensator valve, as previously mentioned, can also be called a pressure limiter
valve or pump cutoff valve. These three different terms are used to describe the pressure
compensator valve in inline axial piston pump applications.
PC systems with an inline axial piston pump have a single PC spool valve for pump
control. See Figure 17‑12. The compensator is set to the system’s high pressure, for exam-
ple 2700 psi (186 bar). See Figure 17‑13. Once the system pressure reaches the value of the

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Spool
valve
Figure 17‑12. An inline axial PC piston pump uses a single spool valve to control the
pump’s flow.
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High-pressure PC
spool and spring
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A
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Figure 17‑13. An inline PC piston pump used a single spool valve compensator valve to
direct oil to a control piston to shut off the pump flow.
compensator spring value, the compensator spool shifts and directs oil to the control piston.
Chapter 4 explained that the control piston has the responsibility of shutting off the pump’s
flow by destroking the pump’s swash plate to a neutral angle.
Older style inline axial pumps could be easily identified as PC or LSPC pumps based on
whether they used one compensator spool or two. One spool indicated a PC pump, and two

spools indicated a LSPC pump. However, in the next two chapters, you will learn that it is
possible to have a LSPC pump with a single spool that uses an external signal limiter. Not
all LSPC pump housings have distinguishable compensator spools, which can make it more
difficult to guess if it is a PC pump or a LSPC pump.
Many variable-displacement pumps are inline axial piston pumps. See Figure 17‑14.
Regardless if the inline axial piston pump uses PC, LSPC, or flow-sharing pump controls, the
operation of the pump has some similarities. As explained in Chapter 4, when the pump’s
swash plate is at a maximum angle, known as upstroked, the pump provides maximum oil
flow. When the swash plate is close to a neutral angle, known as destroked, the pump’s flow
is nearly shut off.
Most inline axial piston pumps use either a bias piston or a bias spring to upstroke the
pump. Most pumps use a control piston to destroke the pump. The control piston receives
the oil from the pump compensator. If the pump uses a bias piston and a control piston, the
bias piston will have a smaller surface area than the control piston. As a result, the control
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piston has more force to shut off the pump flow. Examples of agricultural tractors that used
an inline axial piston PC pump are AGCO Allis, Deutz Allis, Minneapolis Moline, Oliver, and
White. An example of an inline axial piston PC pump used on a G900 Minneapolis Moline is
shown in Figure 17‑15.
Note
It is possible for an external pressure compensator valve to be located
in a remote location, away from the pump. Some manufacturers call
this application remote pressure compensation. Remote pressure
compensators are rarely used in mobile machinery. They are used
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in industrial applications that require frequent adjustments to the
pressure compensator or for applications that must have the ability to
adjust the compensator away from the pump.
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Bias spring
Control piston
Swash
A
plate
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Figure 17‑14. The swash plate angle of a pump will dictate the pump’s flow rate. A large
angle equals more flow. The closer the angle is to neutral, the less flow the pump will be
producing.

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Figure 17‑15. An example of a Minneapolis G900 tractor’s inline axial PC piston pump.
Advantages and Disadvantages of PC Systems

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Pressure-compensating systems are the simplest closed-center hydraulic system, because
the variable-displacement pump does not require any type of feedback, such as a signal line
or a network of shuttle valves. It does not need to sense the specific load at the cylinders.
The pump can automatically upstroke or destroke by simply sensing its own outlet pressure.
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The main system hydraulic pressure will vary based on system’s load and how much oil
is requested by the operator, which equals the amount of opening across the DCV.
Since PC systems are designed to operate at a constant high pressure, the hydraulic
systems are very responsive. In 1960, when John Deere released the 10 series tractors, farm-
ers were impressed with the hydraulic performance. It would be hard to design a hydraulic
system that is more responsive than a system that is constantly running close to 2700 psi
(186 bar).
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The constant high pressure within the hydraulic system also has drawbacks. It pro-
duces constant disturbing noise, generates unnecessary heat, always has a higher risk of
fluid leakage, and wastes horsepower. Late-model variable-displacement controls that solve
these problems are discussed in later chapters.
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Case Study A Quiet Pressure-Compensating

Hydraulic System
A pressure-compensating hydraulic system was mal-
functioning. The customer contacted a technician, who
asked, “Is the hydraulic system quieter than normal?” The
system was indeed quieter than normal, which allowed
the technician to know that the system was not operating
in a closed-center state when the DCVs were in a neutral
position. The technician knew to search for a leak that was
allowing the pump flow to leak back to the reservoir, and
prevent the compensator from achieving high pressure
when the DCVs were in a neutral position.

Why Open-Center Hydraulic Systems Do

Not Operate at Maximum Pressure
In Chapter 16, an example was given for a constant flow, fixed-displacement pump operat-
ing at 30 gpm (113 lpm) and approximately 300 psi (21 bar). That system consumed approxi-
mately 5.25 hp when the DCVs were in a neutral position.
(30 × 300) ÷ 1714 = 5.25 hp
Variable-displacement PC hydraulic systems operate at a high pressure and very lit-
tle flow when the DCVs are in a neutral position. For example, if the pump is operating at
3000 psi (207 bar) and if the flow is only 1 gpm (3.7 lpm), the pump is producing the following
horsepower.
(1 × 3000) ÷ 1714 = 1.7 hp
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The next example makes it very clear why fixed-displacement pumps do not operate
at a constant high pressure. For example, if the system operated at 30 gpm (113 lpm) and
3000 psi (207 bar), the system would consume a tremendous amount of horsepower anytime
the DCVs were in a neutral position.
(30 × 3000) ÷ 1714 = 52 hp
Late-Model PC Hydraulic Systems

Late-model off-highway machines are rarely configured with a PC pump for their main
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hydraulic system. The next chapter explains how a load-sensing pressure-compensating
(LSPC) pump is a PC pump with the addition a load-sensing spool. The load sensing spool
lowers the standby pressure when the DCVs are in a neutral position. However, the next
chapter also provides examples of an LSPC pump operating as a PC pump, at high pressure
with practically no flow when the DCVs are in a neutral position. Some late-model machines
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are purposely designed so that their LSPC pump behaves like a PC hydraulic pump.
Caterpillar G Series Scraper Cushion Hitch

Caterpillar G series scrapers, for example 627G or 657G, use a LSPC pump for the hydraulic
cushion hitch. The pump flow compensator is adjusted so that it cannot move, which means
only the PC spool can destroke the pump. With the flow compensator spool unable to move,
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the LSPC pump acts as a traditional PC pump operating at a constant high pressure, making
the cushion hitch’s hydraulic system to operate as a traditional PC hydraulic system.
John Deere Sprayers

A 4630 John Deere sprayer is designed to operate most of the time at a constant high system
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pressure. However, the sprayer uses a LSPC pump and a jammer solenoid. When the machine
is functioning in the field, the jammer solenoid is energized to make the LSPC pump to oper-
ate similar to a PC hydraulic system. Other John Deere sprayers use the jammer solenoid to
put the system on high pressure for certain hydraulic functions. The next chapter explains
how jammer solenoids are used in conjunction with variable LSPC pumps.
Case IH Combines
Since 1995, Case IH combines, like John Deere sprayers, also use a jammer solenoid to force
a LSPC pump to act like a PC pump. The jammer solenoid is only actuated during certain
hydraulic functions, such as unloader swing in, swing out, reel lift, reel fore, reel aft, header
tilt right, and header tilt left.

PC Pump and Open-Center DCVs

A true pressure-compensating hydraulic system uses a variable-displacement pump that
operates with very little flow and high pressures when the DCVs are in a neutral position. It
is possible to find manufacturers that use a variable-displacement PC pump in conjunction
with traditional open-center DCVs. In this scenario, when the DCVs are in a neutral position,
the variable-displacement PC pump produces a constant maximum flow at a low pressure,
similar to a traditional open-center hydraulic system with a fixed-displacement pump. This
type of hydraulic system can be used on a telescoping crane for the slew swing. It provides
good fine control for swinging with good control.
Dual-Flow, Constant-Horsepower,
Open-Center Hydraulic Systems
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One style of hydraulic system that has some similarities to a traditional PC hydraulic system
can be described as a dual-flow, constant horsepower, open-center hydraulic system. For
simplicity, this system will be abbreviated as DFCH. It uses a single piston pump housing that
has two separate pump outlets, which was explained in Chapter 4. Although the pump is vari-
able displacement, the system uses open-center DCVs. The system is used in some compact
excavators. A few examples are the Case CX17C, John Deere 25G and the Caterpillar 307.
P Note
Numerous different pumps and machines can be described as
constant horsepower. However, there can be significant differences
among the different constant horsepower applications. Additional
examples are provided in later chapters.
M
Some of similarities among the PC hydraulic system and the DFCH system are:
• Both pumps are variable displacement.
• Both pumps self-regulate by sensing their own outlet pressures.
• Neither system requires external signal pressures or a signal network of shuttle
valves for sensing individual loads at the cylinders.
• Both systems typically do not use pre-spool or post-spool pressure compensator
valves within the DCVs.
A
When contrasting the differences between a PC hydraulic system and a DFCH system,
the PC hydraulic system uses closed-center DCVs and the DFCH uses open-center DCVs. The
PC system has high system pressure when the DCVs are in a neutral position, and the DFCH
system has low pressures when the DCVs are in a neutral position. The DFCH can also inte-
grate additional gear pumps driven in tandem with the DFCH piston pump for controlling
the machine’s functions.
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Although the PC system can use an inline axial piston pump like the DFCH, the internal
regulation of the variable displacement is different. An inline axial PC piston pump com-
monly uses a bias piston or bias spring to upstroke the pump and a control piston to destroke
the pump. The DFCH pump in Figure 17‑16 is the type of pump used in a Case CX17C com-
pact excavator. This DFCH pump has a large adjustable spring that biases the pump to a
maximum swash plate angle. When the open-center DCVs are in a neutral position, the
pump’s spring keeps the swash plate at a maximum angle, producing maximum flow at a
low system pressure.
Notice the pump does not contain a control piston for destroking the pump. Instead, as
the pump experiences system pressure (such as loads on the actuators), the pressure exerted
on the pump’s pistons cause the pistons to force the swash plate back toward a reduced
angle. As pressure increases, the piston force is increased. The pump design can prevent the

Constant horsepower spring
Stopper pin
P3 sensing rod
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P
One of two swashplate
pivoting ball bearings
Piston pump
P1 and P2 Gear pump
P3
Gear pump
pilot oil P4
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Figure 17‑16. A compact excavator’s dual-flow piston pump uses a large spring to produce pump flow and uses the
force of the pump’s pistons to destroke the pump.
engine from lugging or stalling because, when flow is high, the system pressure is low. When
system pressure is high, the flow is reduced.
A
The pump also has internal ported passageway to sense the pressure of the large gear
pump (P3). The P3 oil is applied to an internal rod that presses on the back of the swashplate.
The pressure of P3 helps destroke the variable-displacement piston pump when its pres-
sure rises. This process helps maintain the total pump horsepower requirement. In compact
Case excavators, anytime P3 oil is used to help destroke the dual-flow P1/P2 piston pump,
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the condition is called the power shift mode. During this mode, the total pump flow and
pressure capability is adjusted so the horsepower remains constant preventing the engine
from lugging or stalling.
Note
The term Power shift is also used in a completely different style of
hydraulic system, which is explained in Chapter 20.
In the Case CX17C excavator application, P1 oil flow is used for travel right, boom, and
bucket. P2 is used for travel left, arm, and auxiliary. The larger gear pump, P3, is used for
house swing, independent boom swing, and dozer. The smaller gear pump, P4, is used for pilot
pressure.

Figure 17‑17 is a photo of the DFCH pump. The red pump is the DFCH piston pump,
with P1 at the top and P2 at the bottom. Notice the constant-horsepower adjustment at the
top rear of the DFCH pump. P3 is the dark gray gear pump. P4 is the small aluminum gear
pump used for pilot oil.
Constant-horsepower
adjustment
Dual-flow, constant-horsepower
piston pump
P1
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P3 gear
pump
P2
P3 test
P P4 pilot
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point
pump
P4 test point
A
Figure 17‑17. A photo of the DFCH pump. The red pump is the DFCH piston pump, which delivers P1 and P2 oil.
Notice the constant-horsepower adjustment. P3 is a gear pump and P4 is the small gear pump used for pilot oil.
S

Summary
✓ The agricultural industry produced PC hydraulic ✓ AGCO Allis, Deutz Allis, Minneapolis Moline, Oliver,
systems from 1960 to 1999. and White produced a PC hydraulic system that used
✓ John Deere is well known for producing PC hydraulic an inline axial piston pump.
systems from 1960 to 1994. ✓ Not all machines that use a variable-displacement
✓ PC systems operate at a constant high pressure and pump will have a main system relief. Some systems
practically no flow when the DCVs are in a neutral rely solely on the pump controls, such as the pressure
position. compensator valve.
✓ Massey Ferguson PC systems and Deere PC systems ✓ John Deere Sprayers and Case IH combines utilize
used a rotating cam radial-displacement piston LSPC pumps and a jammer solenoid to place a
pump that was driven off the front of the engine. hydraulic system on high pressure.
✓ The cushion hitch of Caterpillar G series scrapers use
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✓ Deere used three different styles of PC pumps: 1000,
2000, and 3000 series pumps. a LSPC hydraulic pump with the flow compensator
spool disabled so that the pump operates as a PC
✓ In a rotating cam PC pump, when oil pressure
pump.
is directed to the pump’s case, the pump will be
destroked. When the oil is drained from the pump’s ✓ A variable PC pump used in conjunction with open-
case, the pump will be upstroked. center DCVs will produce a constant maximum
flow at low pressure when the DCVs are in a neutral
✓ An inline axial PC piston pump uses a single spool
position.
valve for its pump compensator.
✓ Dual-flow, constant-horsepower, open-center
✓ PC systems can also be called pressure-limiting
hydraulic systems are used in compact excavators.
systems. P They have a variable displacement piston pump that
✓ The compensator valve can also be called the pump self-regulates without any type of external signal
cutoff valve. line.
Technical Terms
M
crankcase outlet valve pressure-limiting hydraulic system
destroked pump compensator
destroking solenoid valve pump cutoff valve
dual-flow, constant-horsepower, open-center remote pressure compensation
hydraulic system standby pressure
oil gallery stroke control valve
A
power shift mode upstroked

pressure limiter valve
Review Questions
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Answer the following questions using the information provided in this chapter.
1. Traditional pressure-compensating hydraulic systems 3. A pressure-compensating hydraulic system will

use _____ DCVs. exhibit _____ when the DCVs are in a neutral position.
A. open-center A. low pressure
B. closed-center B. a moderate amount of pressure
2. A pressure-compensating hydraulic system will C. high pressure
exhibit _____ when the DCVs are in a neutral position. D. vacuum
A. practically no flow
B. moderate amount of flow
C. high flow
D. fluctuating flow

4. John Deere used _____ variable-displacement pump 13. Which of the following hydraulic systems can be
control from 1960–1994 on their 10–60 Series Ag tractors. described as having the following disadvantages:
A. open center noisy, more prone to have an external leak, and wastes
B. pressure-compensating horsepower?
C. LSPC A. Fixed-displacement pump.
D. None of the above. B. PC.
5. John Deere tractors from 1960–1994 used a specific C. LSPC.
style of hydraulic system. What series of pumps were D. LSPC with torque limiting.
used in these systems? 14. How many control spools (used for controlling the
A. 500 and 1000 series pumps. pump flow and pressure) does an inline axial variable-
B. 1000, 2000, and 3000 series pumps. displacement pump used in a pressure-compensating
C. 2000 and 4000 series pumps. hydraulic system have?
D. 5000 and 10,000 series pumps. A. Zero.
6. Where did John Deere commonly place the PC pump? B. One.
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A. At the front of the machine. C. Two.
B. At the back of the machine. D. Three.
C. In the middle of the machine. 15. Which of the following types of hydraulic systems
D. At the highest point on the machine. does not require a signal network?
7. What type of variable-displacement hydraulic pump A. Pressure compensating.
did John Deere use on their 10–60 series Ag tractors? B. LSPC.
A. Gear. C. LSPC and torque limiting.
B. Vane. D. Flow sharing.
C. Radial piston. 16. Hydraulic pumps used in closed-center systems have
D. Axial piston. _____.
what is used to shut off pump flow?

A. Case pressure.
B. Control piston.
C. Bias piston.
P
8. On older John Deere pressure-compensating pumps, A. constant flow
B. variable flow
C. fixed loads
D. None of the above.
17. Which of the following hydraulic systems provides the
D. Servo piston. advantage of being the most responsive?
M
9. In a traditional inline axial piston pump, the primary A. Open center.
responsibility of the _____ is to shut off pump flow. B. PC.
A. bias spring C. LSPC.
B. control piston 18. Which of the following is a reasonable example of
C. unloader valve standby pressure in a Deere PC hydraulic system?
D. relief valve A. 150 psi (10 bar).
A
10. In a traditional inline axial piston pump, the primary B. 450 psi (31 bar).
responsibility of the _____ is to turn the pump flow on. C. 1500 psi (103 bar).
A. bias spring D. 3000 psi (207 bar).
B. control piston 19. When a rotating cam PC piston pump has its case
C. unloader valve pressure drained, what is the status of pump flow?
D. relief valve A. Upstroked.
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11. If a pump is equipped with a destroking solenoid, B. Destroked.

when is the solenoid actuated? 20. Regarding the 410D 3000 series pump, which one of
A. When a cylinder reaches end of travel. the following was responsible for reducing pressure
B. When the engine is starting. spikes?
C. Anytime the engine is at idle. A. Crankcase relief valve.
D. When the operator presses the destroke switch. B. Pressure compensator valve.
12. The pressure compensator within an inline axial 21. Massey Ferguson PC pumps were _____.
piston pump can also be called a _____. A. inline axial piston pumps
A. pump cutoff B. vane pumps
B. pressure limiter C. radial piston pumps
C. Both A and B. D. bent-axis piston pumps
D. Neither A nor B.

22. What four decades did agricultural manufacturers 27. Which of the following destrokes a DFCH compact
produce PC hydraulic systems? excavator pump?
A. 1950–1989 A. Bias spring.
B. 1960–1999 B. Bias piston.
C. 1970–2009 C. Control piston.
D. 1980–2019 D. The rotating group pistons.
23. All of the following tractor manufacturers produced a 28. A DFCH compact excavator hydraulic system uses
tractor with a PC hydraulic system, EXCEPT: _____ DCVs.
A. Deutz Allis. A. open-center
B. John Deere. B. closed-center
C. New Holland. C. load-sensing
D. Oliver. D. flow sharing
24. All of the following tractor manufacturers produced a 29. All of the following help destroke the DFCH pump on
tractor with an inline axial PC piston pump, EXCEPT: a Case CX17C excavator, EXCEPT:
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A. AGCO Allis. A. force of the rotating group pistons.
B. Massey Ferguson. B. pressure of the P3 gear pump.
C. Minneapolis Moline. C. large spring.
D. White. D. rising pressure on P1 and P2.
25. All of the following are used to describe PC hydraulic 30. All of the following use a LSPC hydraulic pump that
systems, EXCEPT: can be operated like a PC pump, EXCEPT:
A. pressure limiting. A. Caterpillar G series scraper’s cushion hitch.
B. pressure compensating. B. John Deere sprayer.
C. constant pressure. C. Case IH combine.
D. flow sharing. D. New Holland 4WD tractors.
A. Pump case pressure.

B. Charge pump pressure.
C. Return pressure.
P
26. Within a radial-displacement PC piston pump, what
has an inverse relationship to pump flow?
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A
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Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 455

Figure 17‑1. A PC closed-center hydraulic system has practically no flow and maximum

Traditional PC systems and traditional open-center systems exhibit opposite charac-

John Deere PC Systems

Massey Ferguson PC Systems

Minneapolis Moline PC Systems

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Deutz Allis PC Systems

AGCO Allis PC Systems

PC pump PC pump PC pump

Figure 17‑2. Pressure-compensating pump symbols.

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Pump Frame Designs

John Deere Radial Displacement PC Systems

3000 series 2000 series

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Pump Model Displacement

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Piston fully Eccentric

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Case Study Flow and Pressure in a PC System

Pump outlet psi

Figure 17‑7. John Deere 410D loader backhoe PC pump controls use a

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Figure 17‑8. This John Deere 3000 series PC pump uses a destroking

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Figure 17‑9. A flowmeter was connected immediately after the PC pump. Two

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Surge relief (120 psi)

System relief valve

Pressure- Steering priority valve

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flow, an inverse relationship.

Massey Ferguson Radial-Displacement Piston PC Pumps

Inline Axial Piston Pump PC Systems

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Figure 17‑15. An example of a Minneapolis G900 tractor’s inline axial PC piston pump.

Advantages and Disadvantages of PC Systems

Case Study A Quiet Pressure-Compensating

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Why Open-Center Hydraulic Systems Do

Late-Model PC Hydraulic Systems

Caterpillar G Series Scraper Cushion Hitch

John Deere Sprayers

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PC Pump and Open-Center DCVs

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Constant horsepower spring

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power shift mode upstroked

1. Traditional pressure-compensating hydraulic systems 3. A pressure-compensating hydraulic system will

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what is used to shut off pump flow?

11. If a pump is equipped with a destroking solenoid, B. Destroked.