CHIEF FLOW DIVIDER

CHIEF rotary gear-type flow dividers operate at speeds from 750 RPM to 3,000 RPM. This range allows them to be used in hydraulic systems with varying pump speeds. The speed rating is consistent across the models listed, including the 2-section and 4-section configurations. It is important to ensure that the divider is not operated below or above this range to maintain proper flow division and avoid premature wear. The speed range is a key specification when matching the divider to a specific hydraulic circuit.

CHIEF flow dividers are available with #8 SAE and #10 SAE ports. The port size determines the maximum flow rate and the type of fittings required. For example, the 2-section model with #8 SAE ports (SKU 833XU0) has a flow range of 0.86 gpm to 3.44 gpm, while the 2-section model with #10 SAE ports (SKU 833XU2) handles 3.5 gpm to 14 gpm. The 4-section model (SKU 833XU3) uses #8 SAE ports and covers 1.7 gpm to 6.9 gpm. Selecting the correct port size ensures compatibility with existing hydraulic lines and avoids flow restrictions.

The CHIEF flow divider line includes 2-section and 4-section models. A 2-section divider splits the inlet flow into two equal or proportional streams, while a 4-section divider splits it into four. The number of sections determines how many actuators can be synchronized from a single pump flow. For example, SKU 833XU1 and 833XU2 are 2-section models, and SKU 833XU3 is a 4-section model. The choice depends on the number of hydraulic functions that need to operate in sync. Each section can be sized to provide the required flow to its respective circuit.

The CHIEF 4-section flow divider (SKU 833XU3) has a flow range of 1.7 gpm to 6.9 gpm. This means the total inlet flow can be divided into four streams, each receiving approximately one-quarter of the total flow, assuming equal division. The flow range is per section or total? Typically, the flow range specified is the total inlet flow. For proportional division, the sections can be sized differently. The 4-section model uses #8 SAE ports and operates at 750 RPM to 3,000 RPM. It is suitable for applications requiring synchronized operation of four hydraulic actuators.

CHIEF flow dividers are used in hydraulic circuits that require synchronized movement of multiple actuators. Common applications include mobile equipment such as construction machinery, agricultural tractors, and material handling equipment. They are also used in industrial hydraulic systems where precise flow division is needed, such as in press systems or automated assembly lines. The rotary gear design provides a compact and robust solution for splitting flow without complex control valves. They are particularly useful when multiple cylinders must extend or retract in unison, ensuring load sharing and preventing skewing.

A rotary gear-type flow divider uses meshing gears to divide the inlet flow into multiple outlets. The gears are connected by a common shaft, so they rotate together. As fluid enters the inlet, it is trapped between the gear teeth and the housing, then carried to the outlets. Because the gears are mechanically linked, the flow is divided in proportion to the gear displacement. This design provides accurate flow division that is relatively insensitive to pressure differences between outlets. It is a positive displacement device, so it can also act as a flow combiner if the flow is reversed. The CHIEF dividers use this principle to ensure synchronized operation of hydraulic actuators.