Patent ID: 8401745

Claim:
A hydraulic lift and flotation system comprising: a hydraulic cylinder to provide lift and flotation functionality for a machine; a pump to circulate a hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic lift and flotation system; a relief valve in fluid communication with the pump, the relief valve providing general pressure regulation in the hydraulic lift and flotation system; an unload valve in fluid communication with the pump and a controller, the unload valve controlling pressurization in the hydraulic lift and flotation system; a solenoid configured and positioned to control opening and closing of the unload valve; the controller programmed to execute a control algorithm to provide control instructions to the solenoid to control the unload valve; and the control instructions operating the solenoid to close the unload valve over a period of time to control a rate of pressure rise in the hydraulic lift and flotation system until a predetermined pressure is obtained.