Am I damaging my hydraulics ?

oldbuzzard · Oct 28, 2009

Picked up a 3 pt. woodsplitter at an auction that has a 4 way control valve designed to operate on a closed center system. I can make it work if I bungee cord the CV on the factory remotes to the extend position. This is a Ford/NH 1720. Any chance of damaging anything ?

kennyd · Oct 28, 2009

oldbuzzard said:
Picked up a 3 pt. woodsplitter at an auction that has a 4 way control valve designed to operate on a closed center system. I can make it work if I bungee cord the CV on the factory remotes to the extend position. This is a Ford/NH 1720. Any chance of damaging anything ?

Can't do it-won't work.

How did you verify the valve on the splitter is for CC systems?

oldbuzzard · Oct 28, 2009

it came with an info sheet, Energy Manufacturing model c-909 dscvac-200 hydraulic valve quote from sheet "four way control valve designed to operate a two way hydraulic circut from a single hydraulic source with a closed center system." I have very little hydraulic knowledge, but the way it is rigged up moves the cylinder though a little slow.

kennyd · Oct 29, 2009

You are running the risk of overheating your hydrauilic fluid and/or damaging the pump on your tractor. Since a generic log-splitter valve can be bought for $60 I would advise changing the valve bafore it cost's you a lot more later.

oldbuzzard · Oct 29, 2009

Thank you Sir for your advice. With the proper valve will it still be necessary to have the CV on the rear remote forced to the extend position ? I don't have a manual. It does have a locking position but in the opposite direction of extend shown on tractor frame.

jinman · Oct 29, 2009

I just bought a Harbor Freight 3PH log splitter with an open-center valve. Yes, I have to bungee my remote lever fully open, but it's so easy to do that it's not even a distraction. The only thing I have to remember is that the the 3PH will not lift if the remote valve is open because it is before the 3PH in the open-center system.

I'm not sure this will work, but why don't you see if you can bungee the lever open on your splitter and then use the tractor remote lever to operate the splitter? If that works, you'll not have your hydraulics lifting the relief valve like you would if you try to use the closed-center valve on the splitter. You might even rig an extension lever on your tractor's remote lever so you could operate it while standing at the splitter. I think you may eventually want to replace the splitter's valve, but at least this might make your splitter work for now without damaging your tractor.