Ball valves have 4 different types of bodies:
Welded: they guarantee the absence of leaks during the valve lifetime and do not require operational maintenance. This can be a very important factor, especially for ball valves installed in underground or undersea pipelines. This design is also chosen for hazardous fluids.
Top entry: the ball can be extracted by removing the upper cap. The valve can be repaired at the facility.
Side entry: single-piece body. The ball is mounted from an axial entrance.
Split body: the body is made up of two or three pieces. It allows inspection and servicing of all internal parts.