Abstract: Practitioners in the oil industry are divided over whether the handle of the three-position,four-way steering valve on remote control console of well control equipment should be put in neutral or working position.Based on the working principle of the equipment parts,the effect of different handle positions on the reliability and life span of hydraulic parts was analyzed,and the advantages and disadvantages of different handle positions were compared from the perspective of visual management,operating procedure and error probability.It was concluded that when the handle was in working position,the pipe pressure would be always be in the designed range of the equipment,without significant fluctuation,reducing the negative effect on the reliability and life span of hydraulic parts.Moreover,this position could also make visual management more direct and reduce operation procedures.Therefore it was concluded that the handle position of three-position,four-way steering valve was better in working position than in neutral position,which could reduce operational errors and extend life span of well control equipment.