Ride control

A ride control system including a source of signal pressure and being adapted for use in a fluid system of a machine to cushion the ride of the machine, the machine having a frame with an actuator arrangement disposed between the frame and a load to raise the load relative to the frame, the actuator arrangement having a raise port and being operative in a raise mode to raise the load to a desired height in response to pressurized fluid being directed to the raise port from a source of the pressurized fluid, the ride control system comprising:

• an accumulator arrangement;
• and
• a valve arrangement connected between the accumulator arrangement, the actuator arrangement, and the source of pressurized fluid, and operative to selectively connect the accumulator arrangement to the raise port of the actuator arrangement when in the raise mode while maintaining the load at the desired height, wherein the valve arrangement is selectively operative to equalize a pressure condition in the accumulator arrangement and a pressure condition in the raise port of the actuator arrangement prior to connecting the accumulator arrangement to the actuator arrangement, wherein the valve arrangement includes a four way, three position valve and a two position valve connected between the source of signal pressure and the three position valve.

A ride control system adapted for use in a fluid system of a machine to cushion the ride of the machine, the machine having a frame with an actuator arrangement disposed between the frame and a load to raise the load relative to the frame, the actuator arrangement having a raise port and being operative in a raise mode to raise the load to a desired height in response to pressurized fluid being directed to the raise port from a source of the pressurized fluid, the ride control system comprising:

• an accumulator arrangement;
• and
• a valve arrangement connected between the accumulator arrangement, the actuator arrangement, and the source of pressurized fluid, and operative to selectively connect the accumulator arrangement to the raise port of the actuator arrangement when in the raise mode while maintaining the load at the desired height, wherein the valve arrangement includes a three position valve connected to the source of pressurized fluid, the accumulator arrangement and the raise port of the actuator arrangement, and a first two position valve operable for moving the three position valve to a position to allow communication between the raise port and the accumulator arrangement, and to allow communication between a lower port of the actuator arrangement and a tank.