Valves

Industrial Valves for Hydraulic, Air & Water Systems

At Union Hydraulics, valves aren’t just another product category — they’re the control point of your entire system. Whether you’re managing hydraulic power on heavy equipment, controlling airflow in automation, or regulating water in an industrial process, the right valve makes the difference between smooth operation and costly downtime.

If you’re here, you’re probably trying to answer one simple question: Which valve do I need for my system? Let’s walk through it together.

What Does a Valve Actually Do?

At its core, a valve controls the flow of a fluid — whether that fluid is hydraulic oil, compressed air, or water. It can:

• Start or stop flow
• Control direction
• Regulate pressure
• Adjust flow rate
• Prevent backflow

In hydraulic systems, valves determine how and where power is applied. In air systems, they control motion and timing. In water applications, they manage flow, shutoff, and system protection.

When a valve fails or is incorrectly specified, the entire system suffers — leaks, pressure loss, overheating, erratic movement, or safety issues. That’s why selecting the correct valve matters.

Hydraulic Valves

Hydraulic systems rely on precise control. These valves are built to handle high pressures and demanding environments.

Common hydraulic valve types include:

• Directional control valves
• Pressure relief valves
• Flow control valves
• Check valves
• Ball valves

For example, if you’re running a hydraulic cylinder and it’s moving too quickly, you likely need a flow control valve. If pressure spikes are damaging components, a properly sized relief valve is essential.

At Union Hydraulics, we help you match the valve to your system’s PSI rating, flow requirements (GPM), port size, and operating environment. High pressure, vibration, and temperature swings all matter.

Air (Pneumatic) Valves

Air systems operate differently from hydraulic systems, but the principle is the same: control and reliability.

Pneumatic valves are commonly used in:

• Manufacturing automation
• Packaging systems
• Assembly lines
• Actuated tooling

Because air is compressible, response time and flow rate are critical. A valve that’s undersized can slow down production. A poorly matched solenoid valve can create inconsistent cycling.

We help customers identify the right configuration based on:

• CFM requirements
• Operating pressure
• Electrical controls (if applicable)
• Mounting style
• Environmental conditions

If your system is cycling thousands of times per day, durability becomes just as important as flow performance.

Water Valves

Water valves are often used in cooling systems, washdown applications, industrial processing, and facility management systems.

These valves need to be considered:

• Corrosion resistance
• Material compatibility
• Temperature ratings
• Pressure requirements
• Manual vs automated control

For example, brass may work in some systems, but stainless steel might be required in corrosive environments.

We regularly help maintenance managers and plant engineers upgrade aging valves that are leaking or difficult to operate. Sometimes the fix is as simple as replacing a worn ball valve. Other times, it’s about reconfiguring the system for better long-term reliability.

Choosing the Right Valve

Here’s what we typically ask when helping a customer:

1. What fluid are you controlling?
2. What is your operating pressure?
3. What flow rate do you need?
4. What are the port sizes and connection types?
5. Is it manual, electric, or pilot-operated?
6. What environment is it operating in?

If you’re unsure about any of these details, that’s okay. That’s exactly why we’re here.
Too many valve purchases are made by matching part numbers alone. We prefer to understand your application first. That approach prevents repeat failures and unnecessary replacements.

Why Customers Trust Union Hydraulics for Valves

We work with hydraulic repair technicians, maintenance teams, equipment owners, and OEMs every day. Our team understands how valves integrate into real-world systems — not just on paper, but in field conditions.

When you call us, you’re not speaking with someone reading from a catalog. You’re speaking with someone who understands pressure ratings, system performance, and what happens when a valve is slightly off-spec.

We focus on:

• Quality components built for industrial use
• Proper sizing and specification
• Long-term reliability
• Straightforward, honest guidance

Our goal isn’t just to sell you a valve. It’s to make sure your system performs the way it should.

Not Sure Which Valve You Need?

If you’re experiencing:

• Leaks
• Pressure drops
• Slow cylinder movement
• System overheating
• Inconsistent air cycling
• Water flow issues

There’s a good chance the valve is either worn out or improperly matched to the system.

Give us a call. Tell us what your equipment is doing. Even if you don’t have all the specifications, we can help you work through it and identify the right solution.

At Union Hydraulics, we’re here to make sure your hydraulic, air, and water systems stay controlled, efficient, and dependable.

If you have any questions or concerns about which valve you need, call us. We’ll help you get it right the first time.