Patent ID: 8001751

Claim:
A method of relieving pressure in a hydraulic system, comprising steps of: providing a pump operable for pressurizing hydraulic fluid from a fluid reservoir and directing the pressurized fluid in a first direction through the hydraulic system including through at least one valve of the system, to at least one work element of the system comprising a hydraulic actuator operable by the pressurized fluid, wherein the pump is located in a fluid path between the reservoir and the work element, the hydraulic actuator configured to control the position of a component or implement of a work machine; the at least one valve being controllably operable by a controller in at least two operating modes, including a first mode wherein the pressurized fluid can pass therethrough for connecting the pump in fluid communication with 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 controller to operate the at least one valve in the first mode for at least a predetermined time period when the pump is not operating, to allow pressurized fluid in the work element to drain in a second direction along the fluid path opposite the first direction through the pump to the reservoir so as to gradually reduce the pressure in the hydraulic system.