US Patent 10246854 Material handling machine with ride control system and method

A material handling machine such a skid-steer loader includes an electrohydraulic control system for controlling flow between a boom lift cylinder, an accumulator, and a source of pressurized fluid that delivers a variable system pressure. The electrohydraulic control system is switchable between a standard or normal mode and a ride control mode. It is configured to charge the accumulator with fluid from the pressurized fluid source while isolating the accumulator from the lift cylinder during operation in the standard mode and is configured to isolate the accumulator from the pressurized fluid source and to couple the accumulator to the lift cylinder during operation in the ride control mode. The accumulator is charged to a maximum pressure output by the source of pressurized fluid during the standard operating mode and pressure-balanced with the lift cylinder prior to initiation of operation in the ride control mode.