Systems and methods for bleed down and retraction of a construction machine boom

A construction machine comprising:

• a boom;
• and
• a hydraulic system for controlling bleed down and retraction of the boom, the hydraulic system comprising:
• at least a first boom lift actuator configured to raise and lower the boom, the first boom lift actuator including a first bleed valve;
• at least a first boom extend actuator configured to extend and retract the boom, the first boom extend actuator including an inflow valve in fluid communication with the bleed valve, the first boom extend actuator configured to receive a first flow of fluid from the first boom lift actuator in response to opening of the bleed valve, wherein when the first flow of fluid is received by the first boom extend actuator, the first boom extend actuator operates to retract the boom;
• and
• a flow manifold fluidly coupled between the first boom lift actuator and the first boom extend actuator, wherein the flow manifold is configured to provide the first flow of fluid from the first boom lift actuator to the first boom extend actuator when the bleed valve is opened.

A method for controlling bleed down and retraction of a boom within a safety envelope, the method comprising:

• receiving a first flow of fluid within a flow manifold from a first actuator, the first actuator configured to raise and lower the boom, the first flow of fluid received in response to lowering of the boom;
• receiving a second flow of fluid within the flow manifold from a second actuator, the second actuator configured to raise and lower the boom, the second flow of fluid received in response to lowering of the boom;
• combining the first flow of fluid and the second flow of fluid into a combined flow of fluid;
• and
• selectively providing the combined flow of fluid to a third actuator, the third actuator configured to extend and retract the boom, wherein when the combined flow of fluid is provided to the third actuator, the third actuator retracts the boom within a safety envelope while the boom is being lowered.