specifically at the neutral position the inlet port 18 is isolated from both the motor ports 22 23 and the signal port 19 is in communication with the outlet port 21 moving the valve 12 to the right to the first operating position interconnects the inlet port 18 with the motor port 22 through the metering orifice 24 and the motor port 23 with the outlet port 21 conversely moving the valve 12 leftwardly to the second operating position interconnects the inlet port 18 with the motor port 23 through the metering orifice 26 with the motor port 22 being connected to the outlet port 21 when there is no fluid pressure in the supply conduit 34 such as when the pump 16 is not being driven by its power source the flow control spool 28 is moved to the axial position shown in fig1 by the spring 62 at this position communication through the throttle opening 51 is blocked by the body 27 and the flow control spool 28 thus provides a load check function to prevent reverse flow of fluid from the directional control valve 12 to the pump 16 putting the pump 16 into operation with the flow control spool 28.