Product Overview

The Parker Series F is an industrial flow control valve with automatic reverse free flow, designed to provide precise flow adjustment and shut-off in one direction while permitting full flow in the opposite direction.

Parker’s official Colorflow® catalog identifies Series F as a family of flow control valves rather than conventional check valves. The two-step needle provides fine adjustment at low flow during the first three turns and progressively opens toward full flow during the following three turns. A Colorflow® reference scale provides a visual indication for setting and repeatability.

The Series F range covers:

• F200: 3 GPM
• F400: 5 GPM
• F600: 8 GPM
• F800: 15 GPM
• F1200: 25 GPM
• F1600: 40 GPM
• F2000: 70 GPM
• F2400: 100 GPM

Parker also specifies steel, brass and selected stainless-steel body configurations. Internal components include a 316 stainless-steel spring and 416 stainless-steel needle, poppet and retainer. Parker’s fully guided poppet construction is designed to provide smoother opening and closing than conventional ball-check constructions.

For OEM replacement and retrofit projects, Series F valves can be engineered for in-place interchangeability according to flow capacity, connection type, body material and operating pressure, with 100% simulated working-condition testing prior to shipment.

Technical Specifications

F200

• Manufacturer: Parker Hannifin
• Series: Series F
• Product Type: Flow Control Valve with Reverse Free Flow
• Model: F200
• Connection: 1/8 in. NPTF
• Maximum Free Flow: 11 L/min / 3 GPM
• Free-Flow Orifice: 0.023 in²
• Free-Flow Cv: 0.53
• Effective Control Orifice: 0.0102 in²
• Effective Control Cv: 0.230
• Body Material: Brass or Steel depending on configuration
• Standard Cracking Pressure: 0.4 bar / 5 psi
• Maximum Operating Pressure: Material-dependent; up to 140 bar Brass or 345 bar Steel where applicable
• Weight: 0.1 kg / 0.3 lb
• Needle: 416 Stainless Steel
• Spring: 316 Stainless Steel
• Poppet: 416 Stainless Steel
• Control: Standard Knob
• Adjustment: Two-step needle
• Nitrile Temperature Range: -40 to +121 °C
• Fluorocarbon Temperature Range: -26 to +205 °C

F400

• Connection: 1/4 in. NPTF
• Maximum Free Flow: 19 L/min / 5 GPM
• Free-Flow Orifice: 0.068 in²
• Free-Flow Cv: 1.56
• Effective Control Orifice: 0.0194 in²
• Effective Control Cv: 0.433
• Body Options: Brass, Steel and selected Stainless Steel configurations
• Standard Cracking Pressure: 0.4 bar / 5 psi
• Maximum Operating Pressure: up to 140 bar Brass or 345 bar Steel, subject to configuration
• Weight: 0.2 kg / 0.5 lb
• Needle: 416 Stainless Steel
• Spring: 316 Stainless Steel
• Poppet: 416 Stainless Steel
• Control: Standard Knob

F600

• Connection: 3/8 in. NPTF
• Maximum Free Flow: 30 L/min / 8 GPM
• Free-Flow Orifice: 0.099 in²
• Free-Flow Cv: 2.27
• Effective Control Orifice: 0.0344 in²
• Effective Control Cv: 0.787
• Body Options: Brass, Steel and selected Stainless Steel configurations
• Standard Cracking Pressure: 0.4 bar / 5 psi
• Maximum Operating Pressure: up to 140 bar Brass or 345 bar Steel, subject to configuration
• Weight: 0.3 kg / 0.7 lb
• Needle: 416 Stainless Steel
• Spring: 316 Stainless Steel
• Poppet: 416 Stainless Steel
• Control: Standard Knob

F800

• Connection: 1/2 in. NPTF
• Maximum Free Flow: 57 L/min / 15 GPM
• Free-Flow Orifice: 0.224 in²
• Free-Flow Cv: 5.11
• Effective Control Orifice: 0.0427 in²
• Effective Control Cv: 0.976
• Body Options: Brass, Steel and selected Stainless Steel configurations
• Standard Cracking Pressure: 0.4 bar / 5 psi
• Maximum Operating Pressure: up to 140 bar Brass or 345 bar Steel, subject to configuration
• Weight: 0.7 kg / 1.5 lb
• Needle: 416 Stainless Steel
• Spring: 316 Stainless Steel
• Poppet: 416 Stainless Steel
• Control: Standard Knob

F1200

• Connection: 3/4 in. NPTF
• Maximum Free Flow: 95 L/min / 25 GPM
• Free-Flow Orifice: 0.348 in²
• Free-Flow Cv: 7.95
• Effective Control Orifice: 0.1080 in²
• Effective Control Cv: 2.470
• Body Options: Brass or Steel
• Standard Cracking Pressure: 0.4 bar / 5 psi
• Maximum Operating Pressure: up to 140 bar Brass or 345 bar Steel
• Weight: 1.2 kg / 2.6 lb
• Needle: 416 Stainless Steel
• Spring: 316 Stainless Steel
• Poppet: 416 Stainless Steel
• Control: Standard Knob

F1600

• Connection: 1 in. NPTF
• Maximum Free Flow: 151 L/min / 40 GPM
• Free-Flow Orifice: 0.453 in²
• Free-Flow Cv: 10.35
• Effective Control Orifice: 0.2300 in²
• Effective Control Cv: 5.250
• Body Material: Steel for this size
• Standard Cracking Pressure: 0.4 bar / 5 psi
• Maximum Operating Pressure: 207 bar / 3000 psi
• Weight: 2.3 kg / 5.1 lb
• Needle: 416 Stainless Steel
• Spring: 316 Stainless Steel
• Poppet: 416 Stainless Steel
• Control: Standard Knob

F2000

• Connection: 1 1/4 in. NPTF
• Maximum Free Flow: 265 L/min / 70 GPM
• Free-Flow Orifice: 0.855 in²
• Free-Flow Cv: 19.52
• Effective Control Orifice: 0.2300 in²
• Effective Control Cv: 5.250
• Body Material: Steel
• Standard Cracking Pressure: 0.4 bar / 5 psi
• Maximum Operating Pressure: 207 bar / 3000 psi
• Weight: 3.7 kg / 8.2 lb
• Needle: 416 Stainless Steel
• Spring: 316 Stainless Steel
• Poppet: 416 Stainless Steel
• Control: Standard Knob

F2400

• Connection: 1 1/2 in. NPTF
• Maximum Free Flow: 379 L/min / 100 GPM
• Free-Flow Orifice: 0.955 in²
• Free-Flow Cv: 21.82
• Effective Control Orifice: 0.2300 in²
• Effective Control Cv: 5.250
• Body Material: Steel
• Standard Cracking Pressure: 0.4 bar / 5 psi
• Maximum Operating Pressure: 207 bar / 3000 psi
• Weight: 4.6 kg / 10.2 lb
• Needle: 416 Stainless Steel
• Spring: 316 Stainless Steel
• Poppet: 416 Stainless Steel
• Control: Standard Knob

General Engineering Data

• Product Family: Parker Series F
• Function: Flow Control + Reverse Full Flow
• Standard Cracking Pressure: 0.4 bar / 5 psi
• Nitrile Seal Temperature: -40 to +121 °C
• Fluorocarbon Seal Temperature: -26 to +205 °C
• Spring: 316 Stainless Steel
• Needle: 416 Stainless Steel
• Poppet: 416 Stainless Steel
• Retainer: 416 Stainless Steel
• Knob: Zinc-plated steel
• Control: Standard Knob; optional Tamperproof or Finger Screw for applicable sizes
• Connection Options: NPTF/SAE standard; BSPT/BSPP options for applicable configurations

Displacement, Maximum Speed and Peak Pressure

Series F is a flow control valve, not a hydraulic pump or motor.

• Displacement: Not applicable
• Maximum Speed: Not applicable
• Maximum Operating Pressure: Material- and size-dependent
• Peak Pressure: No separate model-specific peak-pressure rating is published in the verified Parker Series F documentation

The correct engineering parameter is Maximum Operating Pressure, not a fabricated peak-pressure value.

Key Technical Advantages

1. Adjustable Throttling with Reverse Full Flow

Series F combines adjustable flow restriction in one direction with automatic unrestricted flow in the opposite direction, reducing component count in circuits that require directional speed control.

2. Two-Stage Needle Adjustment

The first three turns provide fine low-flow adjustment, while the next three turns progressively open the valve toward full flow.

3. Colorflow® Setting Reference

The visible color-band scale provides a repeatable reference for commissioning and maintenance, reducing the time required to restore a previous setting.

4. Fully Guided Poppet

Parker uses fully guided poppets rather than conventional ball-check construction, supporting smoother opening and closing and reducing distortion of seats and springs.

5. Stainless Internal Components

The 416 stainless-steel needle, poppet and retainer, together with the 316 stainless-steel spring, provide a robust internal construction for repeated industrial adjustment cycles.

6. Wide Flow Range

The family scales from 11 L/min to 379 L/min across the specified F200–F2400 range, covering approximately 3 to 100 GPM.

7. OEM Setting Protection

Applicable Series F configurations support a tamperproof option to prevent unintended or unauthorized changes to the flow setting.

Application Areas

Typical applications include:

• Hydraulic Cylinder Speed Control
• Hydraulic Actuator Flow Regulation
• Meter-In Circuits
• Meter-Out Circuits
• Hydraulic Power Units
• Construction Equipment
• Material Handling Machinery
• Machine Tools
• Hydraulic Presses
• Injection Molding Equipment
• Hydraulic Clamping Systems
• Mobile Hydraulic Equipment
• OEM Hydraulic Manifolds

The fundamental operating principle is:

Controlled Flow in One Direction → Full Free Flow in the Opposite Direction

Expert Maintenance Tips

1. Record the Original Setting

Use the Colorflow reference scale to document the original knob/stem position before maintenance, then verify actual flow and actuator speed after reinstallation.

2. Confirm Body Material Before Pressure Qualification

Do not use one pressure figure for every Series F size. Brass and steel configurations have different pressure ratings, while the larger F1600/F2000/F2400 sizes are specified with steel bodies and lower maximum pressure than the smaller 345-bar steel range.

3. Verify Connection Type

Confirm NPTF, SAE, BSPT or BSPP requirements before ordering. The flow-size code alone does not define the complete connection configuration.

4. Avoid Abrupt Adjustment

Make incremental needle adjustments and monitor flow, pressure drop, actuator speed and hydraulic temperature during commissioning.

5. Inspect Needle, Poppet and Spring

Abnormal flow instability or adjustment problems should prompt inspection of the needle, poppet, spring and contamination condition. Parker specifies stainless-steel internal components but does not make the valve immune to hydraulic contamination.

6. Select the Correct Seal Compound

Confirm Nitrile or Fluorocarbon seals against actual fluid and temperature requirements. The verified temperature ranges are -40 to +121 °C for Nitrile and -26 to +205 °C for Fluorocarbon.