Hydraulic system for backhoe

Claim 2

In a hydraulic system for a loader-backhoe having (a) a digging bucket and a backhoe powered by the system and wherein: the backhoe includes an extensible portion; the hydraulic system includes first and second sections for powering the bucket and the backhoe, respectively; the first section has a first priority valve connected thereto for prioritizing flow between the sect ions; and the second section includes (a) at least one implement valve controlling the backhoe, and (b) an extend valve controlling the extensible portion, the improvement wherein: the second section includes a second priority valve prioritizing flow between the second implement valve and the extend valve; and the first section is connected between the first priority valve and the second priority valve.

Claim 3

The system of claim 1 wherein: the first section includes a bucket control valve, the second priority valve has a supply port for receiving fluid; the supply port is connected to the first valve section; and fluid flows in sequence from the first priority valve through the first valve section including through the bucket control valve to the second priority valve.

Claim 4

The system of claim 2 wherein: the bucket control valve is configured for movement between a neutral position and an operating position; and the supply port receives fluid when the bucket control valve is in the neutral position.

Claim 5

In a hydraulic system for an earthmoving machine having (a) first and second earthmoving implements powered by the system and wherein: the first and second earthmoving implements are powered by first and second valve sections, respectively; both of the valve sections are fed by a first hydraulic pump providing a flow of fluid; the machine has a hydraulic steering circuit; the first valve section has a plurality of valves operable independently of the steering circuit; the second valve section has a plurality of valves operable independently of the steering circuit; the improvement wherein: the system includes a priority valve receiving fluid from the pump and configured for movement between a first position and a second position; in the first position, the priority valve flows fluid to the steering circuit and to the valves of the second valve section; and in the second position, the priority valve flows fluid to the valves of the first valve section and to the valves of the second valve section.

Claim 6

In a hydraulic system for an earthmoving machine having (a) first and second earthmoving implements powered by the system and wherein: the first and second earthmoving implements are powered by first and second valve sections, respectively; both of the valve sections are fed by a first hydraulic pump providing a flow of fluid; the machine has a hydraulic steering circuit; the first valve section has a plurality of valves operable independently of the steering circuit; the second valve section has a plurality of valves operable independently of the steering circuit; the improvement wherein: the system includes a priority valve receiving fluid from the pump and configured for movement between a first position and a second position; in the first position, the priority valve flows fluid to the steering circuit and to the valves of the second valve section; and in the second position, the priority valve flows fluid to the valves of the first valve section and to the valves of the second valve section.

Claim 7

The system of claim 4 wherein: the second valve section has first and second implement valves; in the first position, the priority valve flows fluid to the steering circuit and to the first implement valve.

Claim 8

The system of claim 5 wherein the priority valve also flows fluid to the second implement valve.

Claim 9

The system of claim 6 further including a pilot line connected to the priority valve and to the first and second implement valves.

Claim 10

The system of claim 7 wherein the first and second valve sections are connected in series.

Claim 11

The system of claim 4 further including an attachment valve section and wherein: in the first position, the priority valve also flows fluid to the attachment valve section.

Claim 12

The system of claim 9 wherein: the second valve section has first and second implement valves; in the first position, the priority valve also flows fluid to the steering circuit and to the first implement valve.

Claim 13

The system of claim 10 wherein in the first position, the priority valve also flows fluid to the second implement valve.

Claim 14

The system of claim 11 wherein the first and second valve sections are connected in series.