Hydraulic control system having energy recovery

A method of recovering energy for a machine, comprising:

• pressurizing fluid with a pump;
• selectively moving at least a first control valve to direct pressurized fluid from the pump to first or second chambers of a first actuator and from the second or first chambers of the first actuator to a tank to move the first actuator;
• selectively blocking fluid flow from the second chamber of the first actuator to the tank;
• and
• selectively fluidly communicating the first chamber of the first actuator with the second chamber of the first actuator when the fluid flow from the second chamber of the first actuator to the tank is blocked.

A hydraulic control system for a machine, comprising:

• a pump;
• a tank;
• an actuator having a first chamber and a second chamber, and a piston separating the first and second chambers, the piston movable in an extending direction and in a retracting direction;
• a first valve configured to control fluid flow between the pump, the tank, the first chamber of the actuator, and the second chamber of the actuator;
• a second valve fluidly disposed between the second chamber of the actuator and each of the first valve and the first chamber;
• and
• a third valve fluidly disposed between the first chamber and the second valve,
• wherein when the piston is moving in the extending direction,
• the second valve is configured to selectively block fluid flow from the second chamber to the tank;
• and
• the first valve is configured to direct pressurized fluid from the pump to combine with pressurized fluid from the second chamber entering the first chamber.