Hydraulics Flow questions. 22gpm pump and 1/2" ports??

LD1 · Mar 11, 2014

CJONE said:
Yes, I built it myself. I used a 4" bore cyl 24" stroke set at 3000psi. The 4" bore was for speed and the pressure gives me the force to split just about anything. You could put a chunk of 10" maple sideways and it would cut it in 2. Most splitters say they build 3000psi but normally not when you put a gauge on them. Anyway use a sharp wedge with kickers on the back side, that worked the best for me. Think of a Y shape. It was built out of 1/2" plate. I am still hesitant on the 22 GPM pump it may have been a 28, can't remember 100%. Anyway any questions just ask.
Oh 1 other tip, put your valve or splitting handle just above the rod end cap on the cylinder. YOU want to be running the valve because this combo is fast and you don't want to loose any body parts. Mine would cycle out and back in less than 7 seconds. 4 out and -3 in. Buddy would not run it, said it scared him!! Just perfect. IMHO.

Sounds like the splitter you built is exactally what I want to build. SPEED.

Good to hear that the 22gpm has no issues with 1/2" ports and is still FAST. I Will still upsize to 5/8 or 3/4 lines though.

And yes, I plan on mounting the valve right to the cylinder cap port with a ridgid nipple. Same way our huskee is made.

Doing the math is showing ~6.3 second cycle with a 2" rod cylinder.:thumbsup:

How did you configure your wedge and plate? IS the wedge on the cylinder or beam?

My plans are to have the wedge on the beam and then have a little table aft of the wedge. No need for vertical capability, cause the husky can do that. Once split, I dont want to have to handle the peice again like a horiz/vert setup. The split pieces will just get pushed off the end into the pile.

For the wedge, I have some 1" thick 6" wide bar. (actually have a 20' stick of it). I will mill it to a knife edge and leave it. Similar to the supersplit wedges. No kickers.

For the pusher attached to the cylinder, I have a piece of 1" or 1-1/4" thick diamond plate that is 8" wide and about 4' long. That will make a nice pusher. And the diamond plate will add a little grip.

I really got everything all planned out in my head, was just concerned about the tiny 1/2" ports being an issue.

oldnslo · Mar 11, 2014

LD1,
How fast is fast enough. All of your calculations are based on low pressure high flow. This all changes once you start to split a piece of wood that requires some force. If money is no object I am sure that members of this group will be more than happy to throw ideas at you on how to increase performance.

Example: Use a pressure compensated piston pump with HP limit control. This pump automatically supplies full flow up to a preset HP limit. At that point it reduces flow (destrokes) in relationship to pressure required. I.e. it utilizes 100 % of available power during the splitting operation. Not an inexpensive option but...

J_J · Mar 11, 2014

A piston pump to pump those GPM's, is going to cost big time and the HP required will be high.

3.0 cu in JOHN DEERE N AR94660 RADIAL PISTON PUMP

This pump running at 1750 pumping 24 GPM at 2350 psi will require about 39 HP.

I would say stick with the two stage pump as it will only stay at high pressure, low GPM for a short time.

LD1 · Mar 11, 2014

J_J said:
I would say stick with the two stage pump as it will only stay at high pressure, low GPM for a short time.

Bingo. And with feeding 16hp I can increase the setpoint from shifting from hi to lo flow up to around 900psi. And even when in low speed mode, with 6gpm and a 4" cylinder, it will still be plenty fast for the duration it is there.

I did go ahead an place my order for everything I need. 22gpm pump, 4x24x2 cylinder, suction strainer, return line filter, and valve. Looking forward to the project in the coming months. I will start a new thread once I get underway.

J_J · Mar 11, 2014

Are you thinking about the auto log splitter valve with PB and the log lift and wedge lift valve.

Prince auto log splitter valve

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeBZiWrpnJ4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=PQvgOg26uys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGDIZ73rJss

The last video he also uses a dump valve and a flow control on the log lift and wedge lift to control speed.

LD1 · Mar 11, 2014

I was considering the auto-split valve, but it was just too much $$$. So just going with a standard single detent LS3000-2 valve. No log lift or anything. So no PB needed. This is just going to be a small fast splitter for those smaller rounds. We still have the horizontal/vertical splitter for bigger stuff. But most of what we cut is under 18" length and easily handled.

And as fast as this is going to be, I didnt see much time savings with an auto cycle valve. At least not to the tune of $200 more.

BUT, if I ever change my mind, it is always an option...

oldnslo · Mar 11, 2014

J_J said:
A piston pump to pump those GPM's, is going to cost big time and the HP required will be high.

3.0 cu in JOHN DEERE N AR94660 RADIAL PISTON PUMP

This pump running at 1750 pumping 24 GPM at 2350 psi will require about 39 HP.

I would say stick with the two stage pump as it will only stay at high pressure, low GPM for a short time.

JJ,
I agree with simple two-stage pump for log splitter. That JD pump does not have HP control so add a few more $$s to the cost...

I would estimate a 20 gallon pump with HP limit at around $2000 - $2500 range. Would have to burn a lot of wood to pay for that upgrade.

CJONE · Mar 11, 2014

I know what oldnslow is saying but my splitter rarely kicked into low flow high pressure mode. I also jacked the low pressure shift to almost 900psi. I had/have a 16hp liquid cooled twin for power. I say had because I sold the splitter to a friend. As far as a HP comp piston pump, I can get a Rexroth knock off for about a grand. I am not fond of them and I have to set a 20gpm unit up in a few days. The problem with just about any bigger pump is they don't like the 3600rpm of a small engine. I have problems finding gear units that will handle the 3000rpms of the 60hp diesels I use for mobile power units. CJ

CJONE · Mar 11, 2014

LD1 said:
Sounds like the splitter you built is exactally what I want to build. SPEED.

Good to hear that the 22gpm has no issues with 1/2" ports and is still FAST. I Will still upsize to 5/8 or 3/4 lines though.

And yes, I plan on mounting the valve right to the cylinder cap port with a ridgid nipple. Same way our huskee is made.

Doing the math is showing ~6.3 second cycle with a 2" rod cylinder.:thumbsup:

How did you configure your wedge and plate? IS the wedge on the cylinder or beam?

My plans are to have the wedge on the beam and then have a little table aft of the wedge. No need for vertical capability, cause the husky can do that. Once split, I dont want to have to handle the peice again like a horiz/vert setup. The split pieces will just get pushed off the end into the pile.

For the wedge, I have some 1" thick 6" wide bar. (actually have a 20' stick of it). I will mill it to a knife edge and leave it. Similar to the supersplit wedges. No kickers.

For the pusher attached to the cylinder, I have a piece of 1" or 1-1/4" thick diamond plate that is 8" wide and about 4' long. That will make a nice pusher. And the diamond plate will add a little grip.

I really got everything all planned out in my head, was just concerned about the tiny 1/2" ports being an issue.

The wedge is on the beam and is very sharp. I think that is key. The kickers helped it split fast but a 1" plate should do the same. DO NOT use a auto cycle valve. The splitter is fast enough it does not need it and too fast to get out of the way with a auto cycle. I hate the thought of what could happen with one. CJ