Hydraulic distribution system employing a dual pump

A hydraulic system comprising:

• a first fluid circuit;
• a first pump fluidly connected to the first fluid circuit;
• a second fluid circuit;
• a second pump selectively fluidly connectable to the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit;
• a first valve fluidly connected to the second pump and the second fluid circuit, the first valve moveable between a fully open position to fluidly connect the second pump to the second fluid circuit, and a closed position to substantially fluidly disconnect the second pump from the second fluid circuit such that, when the first valve is in the fully open position, then only flow from the second pump passes to the second fluid circuit;
• a second valve fluidly connected to the second pump and the first fluid circuit, the second valve moveable between an open position to fluidly connect the second pump to the first fluid circuit when the first valve is arranged in substantially the closed position, and a closed position to substantially fluidly disconnect the second pump from the first fluid circuit when the first valve is arranged in the fully open position.

A method for distributing fluid within a hydraulic system having a first pump fluidly connected to a first fluid circuit, the first pump configured to deliver a fluid to the first fluid circuit at a first flow rate when operated at a selected speed, and a second pump fluidly connected to a second fluid circuit, the second pump configured to deliver a fluid to the second fluid circuit at a second flow rate when operated at the selected speed, the second flow rate of the second pump being greater than the first flow rate of the first pump, the method comprising:

• operating a first hydraulic pump to produce a first fluid output;
• operating a second hydraulic pump to produce a second fluid output;
• delivering the first fluid output to the first fluid circuit;
• delivering only the second fluid output to the second fluid circuit when operating the hydraulic system in a first mode;
• and
• delivering at least a portion of the second fluid output to the first fluid circuit when operating the hydraulic system in a second mode.