To provide a system for recovering energy in a hydraulic circuit.

A method is provided for recovering energy in the hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic circuit includes a pump 12 having a swash plate and being in fluid communication with a hydraulic actuator 22 via a valve 25. The method includes a process of detecting an overrunning load condition in the hydraulic circuit, a process of actuating the valve to provide fluid from the hydraulic actuator to the pump under the overrunning load condition, and a process of producing a torque output from the fluid provided to the pump. Also a method is provided for recovering energy in a hydraulic circuit including a pump 202 and a motor 204 in fluid communication with a hydraulic actuator via a valve 102. The method includes a process of detecting an overrunning load condition in the hydraulic circuit, a process of actuating the valve to provide fluid from the hydraulic actuator to the motor under the overrunning load condition, and a process of producing a torque output from the fluid provided to the motor.