Abstract: A method of controlling spool shift speed in a solenoid operated hydraulic directional valve which includes a body, a spool slidably mounted in a bore in the body and operable to control hydraulic fluid flow, a force controlled solenoid adapted to be electrically energized by a constant current supply and a spring yieldingly urging the valve spool to a predetermined position, which method comprises applying a constant force by energizing the solenoid with a constant current to the spool valve which opposes the linearly increasing force of the spring thereby decelerating the shifting action of the spool.