Flow Dividers and Combiners are designed to split a single hydraulic input into two or more equal (or proportional) flows, or combine multiple flows back into one, regardless of pressure variations.

They are available in two primary configurations: spool-type (cartridge) and rotary-type (gear).

How They Work

1. Cartridge Flow Dividers / Combiners (Spool-Type)

• What they are: Compact, screw-in valves containing an internal sliding spool.
• How they work: Fluid enters the valve and passes through internal orifices. If one path encounters higher resistance (more pressure), the pressure imbalance instantly shifts the internal spool. This shift restricts the lower-pressure path to ensure both output lines receive the exact same flow rate. As a combiner, it does the reverse, forcing two returning fluid streams to merge at identical rates.
• Limitation: They generate heat due to fluid restriction and are generally limited to splitting flow into two paths.

2. Gear Flow Dividers (Rotary-Type)

• What they are: A series of mechanically linked gear sections enclosed in a single housing (similar to multiple hydraulic motors coupled together on a shared shaft).
• How they work: Fluid enters the inlet and forces the gears to turn. Because the gears are locked together on the same shaft, every section must rotate at the exact same speed. This mechanically forces identical volumes of fluid through each section, perfectly dividing the flow.
• Advantage: They are highly efficient, generate very little heat, can split flow into multiple paths (three, four, or more), and can even intensify pressure if needed.

Where They Are Used

These components are crucial whenever you need multiple hydraulic actuators to move at the exact same speed, even if they are lifting completely different loads.

1. Synchronised Lifting (Cylinders)

• Dual-Cylinder Lifts: Used in vehicle hoists, shipping container lifts, and large tailgates. If one side of a platform is carrying a heavy engine and the other side is empty, a flow divider ensures both cylinders extend at the identical speed so the platform doesn't tilt and bind.

2. Multiple Hydraulic Motors

• Dual-Wheel Drive Systems: Used in small agricultural machinery or trenchers where two hydraulic wheels must spin at the same speed to maintain straight tracking and prevent one wheel from spinning out on slippery muddy conditions.
• Conveyor Systems: Synchronising two separate conveyor belts driven by individual hydraulic motors to ensure they run at the exact same pace.

3. Combining Return Flow

• Safe Retraction: When lowering a heavy, unevenly distributed load, a flow combiner ensures the cylinders retract at the exact same rate, preventing structural twisting or tipping during descent.