System and method to service a cutting element in work machine

A hydraulic system with a service mode for a work machine, the hydraulic system operatively coupled to a cutting element for felling trees, the hydraulic system comprising:

• a hydraulic motor coupled to a hydraulic circuit for operating the cutting element;
• a hydraulic pump operable to supply pressurized fluid to the hydraulic motor;
• a feed actuator for extending and retracting the cutting element;
• a feed line coupled to the feed actuator;
• a directional control valve located on the feed line of the feed actuator;
• a voltage battery;
• and
• a controller having a non-transitory computer readable medium with a program instruction to direct flow in the feed line with the directional control valve, the program instruction when executed causing a processor of the controller to:
• receive a cutting element service mode signal;
• and
• move the directional control valve to pressurize the feed line for extending the cutting element, wherein the directional control valve is powered by the voltage battery upon receiving the cutting element service mode signal,
• wherein moving the directional control valve to pressurize the feed line for extending the cutting element comprises applying a forward pressure in the feed line that is greater than and overcomes a back pressure that prevents the cutting element from extending;
• wherein to extend the cutting element, the forward pressure applied to the feed line remains elevated above the back pressure when one of the hydraulic pump and a work machine engine is off.