Method for gradually relieving pressure in a hydraulic system utilizing reverse fluid flow through a pump of the system

A method of gradually relieving pressure in a hydraulic system of a work machine, comprising steps of:

• providing a pump in fluid communication with the hydraulic system and a fluid reservoir, the pump being operable for pressurizing fluid from the reservoir and pumping the pressurized fluid into the hydraulic system, and the pump being restrictive to fluid flow therethrough when not operating, the hydraulic system including at least one valve in fluid communication with at least one work element configured for receiving the pressurized fluid, the at least one valve being controllably operable in at least two operating modes, including a first mode wherein the pressurized fluid can pass therethrough between the pump and the at least one work element, and a second mode wherein the fluid is prevented from passing between the pump and the at least one work element;
• and
• operating the at least one valve in the first mode for at least a predetermined time period while the pump is not operating, to allow at least some of any of the pressurized fluid in the at least one work element to flow through the hydraulic system and gradually drain through the pump to the reservoir so as to reduce any pressure in the hydraulic system and the at least one work element;
• wherein the hydraulic system comprises a lift system and the at least one work element comprises a fluid actuator operable for controlling the position of a component of the work machine.

A hydraulic system of a work machine, comprising

• a rift system having at least one fluid actuator operable for controlling the position of a component of the work machine,
• a pump in fluid communication with the hydraulic system and a fluid reservoir, the pump being operable for pressurizing fluid from the reservoir and pumping the pressurized fluid into the hydraulic system, and the pump being restrictive to fluid flow therethrough when not operating;
• the hydraulic system including at least one valve in fluid communication with the at least one actuator configured for receiving the pressurized fluid, the at least one valve being controllably operable in at least two operating modes, including a first mode wherein the pressurized fluid can pass therethrough between the pump and the at least one actuator, and a second mode wherein the fluid is prevented from passing between the pump and the at least one actuator connected to the machine;
• and
• the controller configured to automatically operate the at least one valve in the first mode for at least a predetermined time period while the gear pump is not operating in response to an input command pressurized fluid in the actuator is directed to flow through the hydraulic system and gradually drain through the gear pump to the reservoir so as to reduce any pressure in the hydraulic system and the at least one actuator.