3 pt log splitter help needed

[hazmat]

Don,

<font color=blue>and...what do you think about the leakage?</font color=blue>

If I recall correctly, you have two sets of remotes. Have you tried hooking up to the other valve & corresponding quick connects? This would tell you if it is a problem with the tractor side or the splitter side.

Could be a number of things causing the leak, dirt, bad O-ring, sticking ball...

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=parts&Number=201974&page=1&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=0&fpart=>Steelfan's leaking connector</A>

<font color=blue>I noticed you have to keep your hand on the splitter lever when moving it forward into log...it won't continue unless you keep lever pushed......but when retracting lwedge...all you do is move it to far right and the lever stays without you pushing it
is this the way it's suppose to be?</font color=blue>

Sounds like a detent valve to me, does it return to nuetral when the wedge is fully retracted?

At least you're making progress. a dozen logs split so far./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[DFB]

SmokyMtnMan,

Now that's some good news to hear for sure.

It seems that everything is in proper working order. That's just the way a valve with detente should work, you want to have full control of it during the splitting cycle, and then it automatically holds the circuit open on the return cycle until a preset pressure load pops it back to the open center flow position. That way you can do more work. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

You'll have to investigate that leak some more to determine were it originates. May be nothing more than slightly loose threaded on connection, that a quick turn of a wrench could fix. Hazmat has ya covered on other possible causes. When trying to connect the hoses on the remotes it sometimes helps to relieve any built up pressure in the lines by first moving the control valve's handle back and forth.

You mention it moved kinda slow. Your tractors flow rate increases with rpm. In one of the earlier posts from ns in tx he gave the various flow rates at different rpm for your tractor.

Sounds like you've got it. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

DFB

 

[SmokyMtnMan]

Ok...I guess I'm ready for the institution now. Geez. I wasn't even thinking about giving tractor more rpm. Good grief.
I'm going to go check the other remotes now and will get back and let you know.

One more thought....when the wedge is split and splitter wedge is fully extended, it stops...and I have to remember to tap lever back so it will be retracting while I pick up split log and set it aside...(half the time I forget and have to wait on it when i get new log)....
and Yes....it does automatically return to neutral without my assistance.

does anyone know what these 3 pt splitters are the equivalent to compared to gas splitters? I know they're dependent on your tractor, but would you think they're 20 ton, 24 ton or what?

one thing I do know...I need a taller wedge on it. Gets lost in some of these monsters I've got around here.

I'm going to get a piece of Black Gum and see what it's made of

 

[hazmat]

<font color=blue>does anyone know what these 3 pt splitters are the equivalent to compared to gas splitters? I know they're dependent on your tractor, but would you think they're 20 ton, 24 ton or what?</font color=blue>

It's a simple calculation depeding on the cylinder diameter & the pressure of your tractor's hyd system. I think someone mentioned that your tracotor had about 2,500 psi

Assume 3" cylinder, force = pressure*area
area of circle = pi*radius^2
2,500 lb/in^2*3.14*(1.5)^2 = 17,662 lb = 8.8 tons

assume 4" cylinder
2,500*3.14*2^2 = 31,400 lb = 15.7 tons

assume 4.5" cylinder (odd size probably not likely)
2,500*3.14*2.25^2 = 39,800 = 19.9 tons

The TSC web page said up to 20 tons, but doesn't specify the cylinder size. Assuming it is 4", you can do the math in reverse to see max pressure it will take:

pressure = force/area = 40,000/(3.14*2^2) = 3,200 psi
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://tractorsupply.crossmediaservices.com/tractorsupplycatalog/listing_detail.asp?listingid=-2098746099&storeid=2341623&offerid=>Log splitter</A>

 

[SmokyMtnMan]

Well, Hazmat, according to that, I've got a rather low powered log splitter compared to some of the 34 ton gas models around. But I only paid $599 for it, so I guess that's ok. It seems to be able to split all I need. I just finished with a few Black Gum pieces and a couple of White oak...no problem. Just a bit slow is all.
I tried the other two remote valves and same thing...slow leak...this set both of them leak...other set of valves only the right side one does.
So, I guess maybe there's some more tightening to do when I have some daylight to do it.
I noticed that where the valves come from underneath the tractor and go to the bracket for the remotes it doesnt' seem to be very solidly braced or very steady. Seems very loose with nothing holding the hoses except the bracket where they connect.

Anyway, thanks for all the help and advice on this. It does work and split wood now. I think this is way it's suppose to be except for the leak.

 

[ns_in_tex]

SmokyMtmMan,
If yours is mounted like mine, the bracket for the remotes is all that is supposed to be firmly mounted. The quick connects outer ring is held in the bracket & the inner part plus hoses can move either forward or backwards. This is so you can just push you attachment hose in to connect and pull on hose to disconnect, or if your attachment were to come loose from the tractor, the pull on the hose automatically disconnects it, rather that breaking something.

Have fun splitting that wood.

 

[rdbrumfield]

are you sure that you have the pressure line hooked up to the inlet side of the splitter valve? Seems like a mundane queston, but if the hoses jump it could be posible. The oil should run freely through the valve and the hoses should only jump when the ram stops at either end. Good luck

 

[rdbrumfield]

check inside the female side for a small o-ring. If it has the smallest burr or tear it will drip. I had so much trouble with mine I eliminated them and just went direct. Here's the one I built. It's been around awhile, but it takes on all comers.