New wood splitter hydraulic problem

[mx842]

I gave up on trying to get this pump to work. I saw one post that someone did that said to remove the cap on the suction side of the pump and turn the screw two turns one way or the other and see what kind of effect it had. Well, I took some tools out to the splitter and unscrewed the little cap on the suction side and holy shitski parts flew everywhere. I lost about a gal of oil before I could retrieve the cap and get it back in the hole. Then I looked all over and found a ball, a spring, and three little washers. The problem then was trying to figure out what went where and even if that was all the parts that came out.

Two days later I still had no idea of what went where because there is no drawings or parts diagram anywhere on the net. I called Surplus Center and they couldn't tell me anything about how to adjust the pump and had no reference to any parts list or drawings of the pump. Of-course now the pump is out of the warranty period and that is all the help he could give me. I called MTE and they told me there was no such information and if there was, they would not be able to give it to me I guess because they are afraid someone might copy their design. The lady sad it was for safety reasons.

Well back to sq one I went back out there and with a six pack of bud lites and a hand full of tools and sat on a stump for about an hour looking over the situation. I looked some more for other stuff that may have vacated themselves when I removed the cap. I finally decided that these were all that flew out and looking them over I finally came up with a plan on which way they went back together. So, with fingers crossed and a short prayer I got them back into the pump body and only lost about a 1/2 gal of fluid in doing so. I didn't know what was going to happen when I started the motor and even less what was going to happen when I yanked on the lever. I started her up and while at a idle I pulled the lever and everything seemed to be ok so I gave her some gas and yanked on the lever and still no problem. OH, other than it's still doing the same thing.

I went back to the house and called Surplus Center and ordered a new pump. Of-course I didn't order another MTE I'm done with them. I bought their Dynamic brand which is a chineese knock off but according to him they never have problems with them. Of-course now that's a salesman talking trying to sell something. I'll see what happens and report back when I get the new pump.

 

[thepumpguysc]

Lol.. sounds like some of the calls, emails and texts I get from customers.. I tried working on my pump and took this screw out and parts went EVERYWHERE..
Not laughing at your pain, it just reminded me about some of my customers..
Good luck with yours..

 

[mx842]

Lol.. sounds like some of the calls, emails and texts I get from customers.. I tried working on my pump and took this screw out and parts went EVERYWHERE..
Not laughing at your pain, it just reminded me about some of my customers..
Good luck with yours..

Yeah I've had some lulu stories from a few customers of mine also. Well I tried to get some help but there was none to be found. American company too, most stuff like this comes with some kind of documentation, a diagram, parts list or something. Sometimes when you can't get help you just have to do the best that you can. In this case all the info that I could find said there was a screw to adjust the pressures not a fixed pressure setup. When you pay a couple hundred dollars on a pump you want it to work. I already feel bad enough to have a $220.00 shelf ornament sitting around.

 

[Fxfymn413]

I lost about a gal of oil before I could retrieve the cap and get it back in the hole.

I put a shut off valve in the line from the tank to the pump so I can work on the pump and valves without losing oil. I had to replace the splitter valve today and while I was at it I moved the lift and 4 way wedge valves to make it more ergonomic. All total I lost about a quart of oil.

 

[CADplans]

,,,,,to make it more ergonomic. .

We DO NOT use those $2 words around here!!

 

[mx842]

I put a shut off valve in the line from the tank to the pump so I can work on the pump and valves without losing oil. I had to replace the splitter valve today and while I was at it I moved the lift and 4 way wedge valves to make it more ergonomic. All total I lost about a quart of oil.

I had thought about putting a valve into the supply line but decided not to because I was worried that it would maybe be an unwanted restriction. Also, I had no idea that all those parts were going to fly out of there like that. If I had known what to expect I would have been ready with some kind of pail to catch it with. Hopefully I'll get a chance to put that new pump on sometime soon to see if that fixes my problem. I too need to rearrange my valve position to make it a little easier to operate and I'll probably do that when I change the pump. Although, I'm still in wood splitting mode for next year so I may just wait until I'm done with that before I make any changes just in case something else happens and put's me out of business all together.

 

[Fxfymn413]

I was worried that it would maybe be an unwanted restriction.

I used a 1 1/2" 1/4 turn full flow valve so there is no restriction. If you are replacing the pump I'd put one on since it really does make life easier if you need to repair the hydraulic system.

 

[mx842]

I used a 1 1/2" 1/4 turn full flow valve so there is no restriction. If you are replacing the pump I'd put one on since it really does make life easier if you need to repair the hydraulic system.

I just replumbed That whole line and almost added one in while I was at it. Another thing I was worried about is something hitting the valve and shutting off the supply while splitting wood. Once I finish all my wood I plan on making a few changes to a couple things that I don't like. That will probably be one of them. I had a 1" full flow valve that you could lock in place and the 1 1/2" valve I had didn't have a lock on it so I didn't put it in. I'm on the hunt for one now, thanks.

 

[CADplans]

I have a reason for NOT adding a valve.
If the hydraulic system needs opened for some reason, I would ALWAYS drain and replace the hydraulic oil.

How often do you have a problem?? every 10 years??? In that time, you should have had 3 oil changes.

If there is a problem,, there is a 99% chance the oil needs changed.

AND if the valve is between the pump, and valve, and accidentally gets closed,, you will be buying at least a pump.

How much hydraulic oil can you buy for the cost of a pump!!??

 

[ptsg]

I too use a shutoff valve between the tank and pump inlet on my homemade splitter and backhoe and I'll always add on in future hydraulic systems that I make from scratch. It has saved a lot more work on draining the entire system just to fix a leak on the inlet side of the pump or something.

Yes, I forgot to turn the valves on before starting the engines innumerous times, but guess what, you'll find pretty quickly that you forgot to open the valve because the system won't work. In that short amount of time, there is very little risk for the pump at all.