Patent ID: 8851112

Claim:
A hydraulic manifold apparatus operable in a low speed, high torque configuration or a high speed, low torque configuration, said hydraulic manifold apparatus comprising: a supply port adapted to receive pressurized working fluid from a hydraulic pump; a first and second output port connectable to an intake of a hydraulic motor; a first and second intake port connectable to an output of said hydraulic motor; a first, second, and third actuable valve for controlling the flow of said working fluid through said hydraulic manifold apparatus; actuation means including a first solenoid, a second solenoid, and a third solenoid for actuating said first actuable valve, said second actuable valve, and said third actuable valve, respectively, in said hydraulic manifold apparatus between a first configuration for low speed, high torque operation wherein said first actuable valve and said third actuable valve are open and said second actuable valve is closed, and a second configuration for high speed, low torque operation wherein said second actuable valve is open and said first actuable valve and said third actuable valve are closed; and a return port adapted to deliver working fluid to said hydraulic pump; wherein in said first configuration, said working fluid exits said hydraulic manifold apparatus through said first output port and said second output port simultaneously and returns into said hydraulic manifold apparatus through said first intake port and said second intake port simultaneously to permit low speed, high torque operation of said hydraulic motor, and wherein in said second configuration, said working fluid exits said hydraulic manifold apparatus through said first output port, returns into said hydraulic manifold apparatus through said first intake port, exits said hydraulic manifold apparatus through said second output port, and returns into said hydraulic manifold apparatus through said second intake port to permit high speed, low torque operation of said hydraulic motor.