Need Hydraulic Help: Detent on Valve Popping Loose

[HarleyBob]

I have a log splitter (which has its own Prince Logsplitter Valve) that runs off my rear hydraulics that has a detent in one direction for continuous flow. However the lever pops out of detent when using the splitter. If I block or bungee the lever in place everything
works fine. Is there a pressure issue that is causing this and can it be solved with a flow control valve?

 

[RonMar]

The detent is designed to hold the lever in position to retract the cylinder under very little load. When it encounters a load such as when it reaches the end of the retract stroke. The hydraulic pressure starts to increase, the detent releases and the valve handle pops back to neutral. You may have too much drag on the blade carrier that slides on the splitter's main beam, It could be clogged with wood debris, rust or in need of some grease. That blade assembly hanging up could cause enough pressure increase to keep the detent from holding the lever. If you have a restriction on the return line to the tractor's hydraulics, this could also be causing a pressure increase. You could also have dirt in the system interfering with the detent mechanism or it is misadjusted.

Has this splitter worked properly on this tractors hydraulics in the past? If so, Can you disconnect the ram from the splitter blade assembly and see how the ram retracts with no load attached? This might help you narrow down the problem to hydraulics or mechanics.

 

[HarleyBob]

Ron,
The detent on the splitter valve works fine. The detent on the tractor valve that supplies the splitter will not stay in detent with the splitter either engaged or in neutral. What would cause that?

 

[RonMar]

Oh, I am sorry, I thought you were refering to the splitter valve. That is a good question but without reviewing the valve specs, I don't have much of an answer for you. I mean splitter detent valves are designed to kick out under pressure, your tractor rear hydraulics valve may or may not be designed this way.

Do you know who makes the valve in question? Perhaps the valve manufacturer or a distributor has specs online and can shed some light as to what may be causing this problem. If you don't know the manufacturer, you could also try entering the part number found on the valve into a search engine and see what comes up. I have had some success finding parts specs this way. If it is a factory hydraulic system, the tractor manufacturer may be able to shed some light on the proper operation of the rear hydraulics.

Good Luck.

 

[HarleyBob]

It is the Kubota valve that is kicking out of detent under pressure.
I have never found a way to contact Kubota for tech support.
My dealer said the standard fix is a bungee cord on the lever.
I would not think that is Kubota's answer. I may post on the Kubota side of the forum to see if anyone has contact info.
Thanks for the help so far.

 

[RonMar]

Are you sure the valve is supposed to detent? That may be why the dealer said "the standard fix is a bungee cord".

 

[HarleyBob]

There is a detent in the valve. It did stay there for the first 10 splits. MadReferee says it may just be for float operation of a rear device. I am wondering what you would use for continuous flow off the rear like for splitter, tiller etc. I wonder what Kubota provides for that.
HarleyBob

 

[MadReferee]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I am wondering what you would use for continuous flow off the rear like for splitter, tiller etc. I wonder what Kubota provides for that.)</font>

An orange bungee cord. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[uhmgawa]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I wonder what Kubota provides for that.)</font>

If this is a Kubota tractor and OEM valve it is likely
to be a HUSCO product. The 5000 series appears
frequently in Kubota equipment.

 

[MadReferee]

It's not a Husco 5000 series valve. He has the stackable valves that connect directly to the case once the cover plate has been removed. Husco may have made them under contract to Kubota just like the loader valves but these aux valves will work in no other application. Husco will provide no help whatsoever (parts and information) with regard to any proprietary valve that they make for Kubota. Husco support will always refer you back to Kubota. It's in their contract. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif