Hydraulic Symbols

Symbol Rules
1. Symbols show connections, flow paths, and functions of components represented. They can
indicate conditions occurring during transition from one flow path arrangement to another.
Symbols do not indicate construction, nor do they indicate values, such as pressure, flow
rate, and other component settings.
2. Symbols do not indicate locations of ports, direction of shifting of spools, or positions of
actuators on actual components.
3. Symbols may be rotated or reversed without altering their meaning, except in the cases of:
• lines to tank
• vented manifold
• accumulator
4. Symbols are shown in the following categories of function:
• lines and conductors
• fluid storage and energy storage
• fluid conditioners
• rotary devices
• valves
• actuators
• cylinders
• instruments and accessories.

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 Hydraulic Symbols

Lines and Conductors

Item Symbol
High pressure and return lines

Drain and pilot lines

Component outline

Separate lines

Connected lines

or

Quick connect/disconnect
lines
or

Orifice

Adjustable orifice

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 Hydraulic Symbols

Fluid Storage and Energy Storage

Item Note Symbol

Hydraulic tank or reservoir
Main hydraulic tank usually
equipped with strainer in filler
neck, suction strainer before pump
inlet, and breather or pressurized
tank cap. or

Accumulator Piston or bladder type.

Pre-charged with dry nitrogen.
Abbreviation is “ACC”, or
“ACCUM.

Fluid Conditioners

Item Symbol
Filter with internal bypass check
valve

Filter with internal by-pass check

valve, and service indicator

Cooler

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 Hydraulic Symbols

Item Symbol
Breather (mounted on reservoir)

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 Hydraulic Symbols

Rotary Devices

Item Symbol
Hydraulic pump,
fixed displacement

Hydraulic pumps,
tandem installation

Hydraulic pump,
variable displacement

Hydraulic pump,
pressure compensated

Hydraulic motor,
fixed displacement

Pump/motor

Hydraulic motor, variable

displacement

Hydrostatic pump/motor,
dual direction, variable
displacement

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 Hydraulic Symbols

Item Symbol
Radiator fan motor

Direction of rotation

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 Hydraulic Symbols

Valves

Item Note Symbol

Check valve Allows flow in one direction only.
Ball side is direction of flow.

Spring-loaded check valve Fixed pressure setting.

Shuttle valve Pressure displaces ball in direction

of least resistance to block one port.

or

Typical control valve spool. Open centre, with hydraulic pilot.

Three position, four way.

Shut off valve Also known as “tow valve” on EJC

61 hydraulic schematic.

Adjustable relief valve Protects components in circuit from

excess pressures.

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 Hydraulic Symbols

Item Note Symbol

Pressure reducing valve Limits pressure in one portion of
(adjustable). the circuit, i.e. pilot controls
(valve).

Abbreviation is “PRV”.

Typical double accumulator Controls hydraulic pressure in

charging valve brake circuit.

Port “A” may also be labelled

“ACC”.

Contains serviceable filter.

PRV interrupt, or auto brake valve. Solenoid valve.

PRV prevents pressure to pilot

valve during shutdown.

Auto brake activates park/

emergency brake.

Typical pilot valve Commonly used with directional

control valves.

Flow control valve (adjustable) Commonly used to fine tune

hydraulic controls, i.e. steering.

Typical park/emergency brake Causes park/emergency brake to

solenoid valve apply when de-energized.

In machines equipped with “LCB”

(Hydraulic Apply, Spring Release)
brakes.

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 Hydraulic Symbols

Item Note Symbol

Brake pedal valve, posi-stop Spring apply, hydraulic release
brakes.

Typical brake pedal valve, “LCB” Hydraulic apply, spring release

brakes.

Cam operated valve Two position, four way valve.

Amplifier valve Ensures constant pressure in steer

circuit of EJC 20 truck.

Orbitrol valve Optional steering wheel, EJC 20

truck.

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 Hydraulic Symbols

Actuators

Item Symbol
Manual

Push pull lever

Mechanical

Push button

Mechanical, spring

Pedal or treadle

Detent

Pilot pressure,
remote supply

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 Hydraulic Symbols

Item Symbol
Pilot, hydraulic

Internal supply

Cam (mechanical)

Electric

Electric or hydraulic

Electric over hydraulic

Park brake actuator

“LCB” wheel end brake

(hydraulic apply, spring release)

“Posi-Stop” wheel end brake

(spring apply, hydraulic release)

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 Hydraulic Symbols

Item Symbol
Engine actuator or throttle control

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 Hydraulic Symbols

Cylinders

Item Note Symbol

Single acting cylinder Steer, boom, bucket and optional
eject cylinder.

Double acting cylinder Telescopic, two stage dump

cylinder.

Optional remote retrieval cylinder. Used as a towing aid.

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 Hydraulic Symbols

Instruments and Accessories

Item Note Symbol

Pressure switch Actuates solenoid valve. See
electrical schematic. Abbreviation
“PSW”. or “PS”.

Differential pressure switch On machines equipped with

hydraulically applied brakes.
Abbreviation “DIFF.”

Pressure gauge

Temperature gauge

Test port Follow pressure test procedure.

or

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