Very cool mate, I need one of those at my house 

it also solved my dropping bucket problem! With the old valve the bucket would drop probably 6 inches in one minute (“yow!“). I didn't know whether it was cylinder seals or a valve problem, so now I guess I know. It's been out there with the bucket and auger hanging off it for over 10 minutes and it hasn't dropped even 1/8"

The quickest way to diagnose if it is the cylinder is passing is to extend the cylinder then undo the retract hose and try to extend with it disconnected if oil is passing the seal you will get a big mess 
I used to work as a hydraulic/pneumatic tech a long time ago. Pretty basic, but it is easy to over complicate things with hydraulics when problems arise and overlook the obvious. Might help if you run into any other problems