A hydraulic system (600) and method for reducing boom dynamics of a boom (30), while providing counter-balance valve protection, includes a hydraulic cylinder (110), first and second counter-balance valves (300, 400), and first and second control valves (700, 800). A net load (90) is supported by a first chamber (116, 118) of the hydraulic cylinder, and a second chamber (118, 116) of the hydraulic cylinder may receive fluctuating hydraulic fluid flow from the second control valve to produce a vibratory response (950) that counters environmental vibrations (960) on the boom. The first control valve may apply a holding pressure and thereby hold the first counter-balance valve closed and the second counter-balance valve open.

Agricultural planting implements, as well as other ground-engaging implements, can utilize supplemental force assemblies to provide up and/or down force at the row or rows of the implements. The force can be used to overcome changing field conditions, obstructions, as well as changing particulate amounts and weights carried by the rows of the implements, and the implement itself. The up force can be set at system pressure, or can include control valves at each of the row units to control the amount of up force provided. The down force can be controlled by control valves at each of the row units, and can be used to overcome the up pressure or provide a designated amount of down force to the row.

A power unit with manual override control for a hydraulic system having an initial state and at least one operational state is provided, comprising: a tank for storing hydraulic fluid that moves between a first chamber and a second chamber of a hydraulic cylinder; a pump that routes the hydraulic fluid in and out of the tank; a first relief valve; a first solenoid valve configured to shift between a plurality of positions based on the at least one operational state of the hydraulic system; a first check valve connected to the first solenoid valve; a manual override control unit comprising: a second check valve; and a second solenoid valve configured to shift between a plurality of positions based on activation of a manual override control, wherein the activation of the manual override control returns the hydraulic system from the at least one operational state to the initial state.

A control device for an agricultural vehicle having a spray boom assembly for spreading material, such as fertilizer, plant protection products or seeds includes a control unit and at least two pressure control valves used for controlling an inclination of the spray boom assembly and connected to the control unit. Each pressure control valve has assigned thereto a check valve and a pressure sensor, the check valve being arranged between the pressure sensor and the pressure control valve. An agricultural vehicle and a method for operating the agricultural vehicle are arranged to spread material, such as fertilizer, plant protection products or seeds.

The self-contained energy efficient hydraulic actuator system of the present invention includes a hydraulic cylinder, a servo motor that is configured to produce rated torque from zero RPM to maximum rated RPM with rotor speed/position feedback to a servo motor, a pump, and a solenoid valve that enables the hydraulic cylinder to maintain its position without the motor running. The system has the ability to hold a load in place without motor operation via the use of the solenoid valve, and therefore saves energy and extends the motor lifetime by minimizing the motor running time.

A hydraulic system (600) and method for reducing boom dynamics of a boom (30), while providing counter-balance valve protection, includes a hydraulic actuator (110), first and second counter-balance valves (300, 400), first and second control valves (700, 800), and first and second blocking valves (350, 450). A net load (90) is supported by a first chamber (116, 118) of the hydraulic actuator, and a second chamber (118, 116) of the hydraulic actuator may receive fluctuating hydraulic fluid flow from the second control valve to produce a vibratory response (950) that counters environmental vibrations (960) on the boom. The first blocking valve prevents the fluctuating hydraulic fluid flow from opening the first counter-balance valve. The first blocking valve may drain leakage from the first counter-balance valve.

An auxiliary hydraulic manifold for connecting different implements to a work vehicle for hydraulic control may include a housing, a plurality of vehicle-side ports in the housing including a first vehicle-side port, and a plurality of implement-side ports in the housing including a first implement-side port fluidly coupled to the first vehicle-side port and a second implement-side port fluidly coupled to the first vehicle-side port. A number of the plurality of implement-side ports is greater than a number of the plurality of vehicle-side ports. Additionally, the auxiliary hydraulic manifold may include a pilot-operated check valve fluidly coupled between the first vehicle-side port and the first implement-side port.

A spool valve is provided. A valve housing has a pilot fluid passage, and a first portion and a second portion lengthwisely spaced apart from each other. A spool is movably inserted in the valve housing, and includes a plug able to enter the pilot fluid passage between the first portion and the second portion to change a flow area of the pilot fluid passage following movement of the spool. A hydraulic machine provides that when pilot fluid is supplied to the pilot fluid passage through the first portion, at least a portion of the supplied pilot fluid is provided to the holding valve through the second portion. The holding valve allows a flow of working fluid from the first chamber to the spool valve, and the spool moves to a third position to forward working fluid to the second chamber.

An actuator control arrangement includes a hydraulic actuator having a housing and a piston rod axially moveable within the housing, a stop disposed within the housing to limit the extent of movement of the piston rod into the housing, and a solenoid valve arranged between a pressure source and the actuator. The solenoid valve is switchable between a first mode and a second mode in response to an electric control signal, wherein, in the first mode, the solenoid valve creates a fluid flow path from the pressure source to the actuator so as to locate the stop in its neutral position and in the second mode, the solenoid valve creates a fluid flow path to release pressure from the actuator to permit the stop to move to its retracted position. In the event of electrical failure, the stop will set the actuator to its neutral position.

An output member (7) is inserted in a housing (5) so as to be movable in a left-right direction. A lock chamber (20) is provided to the right of the output member (7), as a first actuation chamber. Compressed air is supplied to and discharged from the lock chamber (20) through a first supply and discharge passage (24) provided in the housing (5). A first holding valve (30) provided to an intermediate portion of the first supply and discharge passage (24) is configured to close and open the first supply and discharge passage (24).