A hydraulic motor deceleration system comprising: a pump; a hydraulic motor; a hydraulic circuit interconnecting said pump and said motor, said circuit comprising: a first hydraulic fluid line extending between said pump and said motor, a first control valve located in said first fluid line for controlling the communication of fluid between said pump and said motor, a second hydraulic fluid line interconnecting said control valve and said motor, a third hydraulic fluid line interconnecting said first and second hydraulic lines, a relief valve located in said third fluid line, and a flow control orifice located in said third fluid line, said flow control orifice being constantly operative, said third fluid line allowing a flow of hydraulic fluid from said second fluid line to said first fluid line even when said control valve is in a closed position, as regulated by said relief valve, and wherein said flow control orifice limits the speed with which such flow takes place. view more

A method for decelerating a hydraulic motor when the motor is disconnected from a hydraulic pump, said method comprising: providing a hydraulic circuit interconnecting the motor and the pump, said hydraulic circuit including first and second hydraulic fluid lines which communicate, respectively, with an inlet and an outlet of said motor and a first valve which controls a flow of hydraulic fluid from said pump to said motor through at least one of said first and second fluid lines; blocking a flow of fluid from said motor to said pump; allowing a flow of fluid between said first and second fluid lines without a loss of fluid thereby enabling said motor to continue turning; and allowing the speed of rotation of said motor by restricting the rate of flow of fluid through said first and second fluid lines wherein said step of slowing comprises the subsidiary steps of: providing a third hydraulic fluid line which selectively communicates said first and second fluid lines as regulated by a relief valve; and providing a flow control orifice in said third fluid line, said flow control orifice being constantly operative to throttle fluid flow through said third fluid line. view more