Abstract: Quick drop valves are useful in directing fluid expelled from a contracting chamber of a hydraulic actuator to its expanding chamber under gravity load conditions. The present electro-hydraulic quick drop circuit improves the efficiency of the quick drop valve by energizing a solenoid valve to direct load generated pressure from the rod end chamber of the hydraulic actuators to an end of a quick drop valve for moving the quick drop valve to the quick drop position when a control valve is at or between a preselected intermediate operating position and its fully open position. The quick drop valve is moved to the quick drop position immediately upon the control valve reaching the preselected operating position so that the fluid expelled from the rod end chamber is directed to the head end chamber almost immediately after the blade begins to freefall.