Parker Hannifin Corporation has introduced a new proportional pressure reducing valve designed to support the development of brake-by-wire systems used in modern vehicle architectures. The new PE06 valve was presented during CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, highlighting the company’s continued focus on motion and control technologies for next-generation vehicles.
Brake-by-wire technology replaces traditional mechanical braking linkages with electronically controlled systems that regulate braking force through electronic signals and hydraulic pressure control. This approach offers improved braking response, greater design flexibility and potential reductions in system weight and complexity.
Parker’s PE06 proportional pressure reducing valve has been developed to deliver precise hydraulic pressure control required by these electronically managed braking systems. The valve combines a proportional valve piston with an internal hydraulic feedback piston, allowing accurate control of reduced pressure while supporting high-volume fluid flow through the system.
According to the company, the design offers several performance benefits including low internal leakage and consistent pressure regulation. The valve architecture is intended to support the reliability requirements associated with braking systems used in demanding environments such as construction equipment, mining machinery and agricultural vehicles.
Brake-by-wire systems are increasingly being adopted in off-highway vehicles as manufacturers introduce new safety features and move toward greater automation. By replacing mechanical linkages with electronic control systems, brake-by-wire designs can improve braking accuracy and response times while also simplifying vehicle architecture.
Another advantage of the technology is its ability to support redundant braking circuits. In such systems, multiple electronic or hydraulic pathways are available so that braking capability can be maintained even if one circuit experiences a failure. This redundancy contributes to higher levels of operational safety.
Parker’s new proportional pressure reducing valve is designed to meet the requirements of these advanced braking architectures by enabling fast and precise hydraulic pressure adjustments. Such performance characteristics are particularly important for automated or semi-autonomous vehicles where braking must respond immediately to electronic control inputs.
The compact design of the PE06 valve also supports emerging vehicle design trends that seek to minimize the presence of hydraulic components inside operator cabins. By reducing hydraulic infrastructure within the cabin area, manufacturers can lower noise levels, reduce heat generation and simplify assembly processes. Many vehicle cabins are increasingly delivered as pre-assembled modules, and minimizing hydraulic lines can shorten installation time during final vehicle assembly.
The PE06 valve can be adapted through a simple design modification to operate at different pressure levels depending on application requirements. Two pressure configurations—120 bar and 175 bar—are available to meet varying system specifications.
In addition, the valve is designed to deliver very low internal leakage levels, estimated at approximately 90 percent lower than standard components used in Parker’s D1FB industrial series. Reduced leakage improves system efficiency and contributes to more consistent braking performance over time.
Parker Hannifin, a Fortune 250 company, has operated in the motion and control technologies sector for more than a century. The company develops components and systems used across a wide range of industries including aerospace, transportation, industrial manufacturing, energy and mobile equipment. With the introduction of the PE06 proportional pressure reducing valve, Parker continues to expand its portfolio of components designed for next-generation vehicle control systems and automated machinery applications.
