This SAE Standard applies to hydraulic directional control valves as applied to self-propelled work machines referenced in SAE J1116. It describes a laboratory test procedure for evaluating:

a.) Flow versus pressure drop,

b.) Leakage rate, c.) Operating effort, d.) Metering characteristics versus spool travel, pilot pressure, or electrical current, e.) Relief valve characteristics.

This document applies to single and multiple section hydraulic directional control valves. This document illustrates axial, manually operated valves although the test procedure is applicable to other input forms such as rotary actuation, electric current, hydraulic or pneumatic pressure.