Hydraulic system for controlling a work implement

A machine comprising:

• a power source;
• a work implement;
• and
• a hydraulic system including
• a hydraulic cylinder assembly including a cylinder, a rod, a head end including a head pressure, and a rod end including a rod pressure,
• a fluid source,
• a fluid tank,
• a metering control valve including a rod extension position, a rod retraction position, and a neutral position, the control valve being fluidly connected to the head end, the rod end, the fluid source, and the fluid tank, the metering control valve including a valve opening configured to direct fluid from the pressurized fluid source when the metering control valve is in the rod extension position, the valve opening having an opening area less than about 3% of a maximum opening area of the valve opening over about the first 50% of full spool displacement,
• a line relief and first makeup valve fluidly connected to the head end of the cylinder assembly, and
• a second makeup valve fluidly connected to the head end of the cylinder assembly, the second makeup valve being configured to provide fluid flow to the head end of the cylinder assembly when the rod is urged toward an extended position at a time when the metering control valve is in the neutral position.

A method for operating a machine that includes a bucket, a stick, and a boom, the method comprising:

• selectively operating a metering control valve in a neutral position to maintain the boom in desired position;
• selectively operating a stick and a bucket of the machine to close the bucket and retract the stick while the metering control valve is in the neutral position;
• at times when said selective operation of the stick and bucket causes extension of the boom while the metering control valve is in the neutral position, providing fluid flow to the head end of the cylinder assembly via a line relief and first makeup valve fluidly connected to the head end of the cylinder assembly and a second makeup valve fluidly connected to the head end of the cylinder assembly;
• and
• selectively operating the metering control valve in a rod extension position to raise the boom to a desired position, the metering control valve including a valve opening configured to direct fluid from the pressurized fluid source when the metering control valve is in the rod extension position, the valve opening having an opening area less than about 3% of a maximum opening area of the valve opening over about the first 50% of full spool displacement.