Bush Hog Log Splitter valve

[Wildcat729]

Purchased a used Bush Hog 3 point wood splitter from a JD tractor owner. I can find no model# or label, it looks like a L26A. I am a IH tractor owner. I got the splitter to work by tying the handle in one direction and changing the control lever on the tractor. The splitter's valve has a label saying closed. I think I need to change it to a open valve. Did Bush Hog sell the splitter with a open valve? Can the valve be modified to a open center valve? The end of the valve looks like it could be removed. I could go buy a new open center valve. I have searched the internet for a manual, no luck.

 

[J_J]

This one should work.

https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=9-7724&catname=hydraulic

 

[MarkV]

Purchased a used Bush Hog 3 point wood splitter from a JD tractor owner. I can find no model# or label, it looks like a L26A. I am a IH tractor owner. I got the splitter to work by tying the handle in one direction and changing the control lever on the tractor. The splitter's valve has a label saying closed. I think I need to change it to a open valve. Did Bush Hog sell the splitter with a open valve? Can the valve be modified to a open center valve? The end of the valve looks like it could be removed. I could go buy a new open center valve. I have searched the internet for a manual, no luck.

I happen to have the same splitter. Yours is the only other one I have seen. The model number is actually LS26A and the owners manual has a part # of SP112. Call Bush Hog, they sent me one for free even though they stopped making these years ago.

I am a little confused about your valve questions. The valve on mine is an open center valve. You have to hold the lever to extend the cylinder but when retracting the cylinder there is a detent that holds the lever and it is spring returned to neutral when the cylinder fully retracts.

The owners manual gives this information about the valve. Product number 20038. Description; CVA-200, 1/2 NPTF, 4 WAY, OPEN CTR SPRING RETURN.
Energy Mfg. Monticello, la. At one time that info would have been on a label on the opposite end of valve body from the lever.

You do know that if the lever for your rear hydraulics does not have a detent to hold it open you need to tie the lever open to provide flow for the splitter to work.

Let me know if you need anything else from the owners manual. To be honest there isn't that much to it.

MarkV

PS. Welcome to the forum.

 

[jinman]

In addition to what MarkV said, your hoses look tiny to me for that splitter. Larger hoses should give you more flow and increased splitter speed if that is a problem.

 

[AKKAMAAN]

In addition to what MarkV said, your hoses look tiny to me for that splitter. Larger hoses should give you more flow and increased splitter speed if that is a problem.

No more flow from less restriction, unless you gain from by passed flow....
See Bill's video with the flow meter, variable restrictor and pressure gauge.....See how flow stays the same when restricting (pressure increase)...When pressure become high enough, the PRV opens, and flow through restrictor drops...

In systems with fixed displacement pump, AKA constant flow system, change of restriction only change presssure. We can also call it "pressure on demand".

In systems with constant pressure (variable displacement pump), change of restriction will change flow. That's called "flow on demand".

http://videos.tractorbynet.com/video/859/Kubota-FlowLoad-Meter-Test

 

[MarkV]

In addition to what MarkV said, your hoses look tiny to me for that splitter. Larger hoses should give you more flow and increased splitter speed if that is a problem.

I don't have it in front of me but I believe the owners manual showed hose sizes. If the OP needs them I'll look it up again.

MarkV

 

[J_J]

You said you hooked it up and the splitter worked. Is your tractor open or closed center?

Perhaps, whoever had the splitter had a tractor with a closed center system, and when they ordered the log splitter, they would have to purchased it with a closed center valve. The fix may be as simple as a plug, port change.

If the splitter worked normally with the lever tied back, and the detent worked, then everything is good to go.

 

[jinman]

No more flow from less restriction, unless you gain from by passed flow....
See Bill's video with the flow meter, variable restrictor and pressure gauge.....See how flow stays the same when restricting (pressure increase)...When pressure become high enough, the PRV opens, and flow through restrictor drops...

Well now, that's impressive! It would seem to say that 1/4" hoses are as good as 1/2" hoses as long as the restriction didn't produce enough backpressure to open the PRV. A restrictor orifice of 0.030" would slow flow only because it caused maximum pressure and PRV opening. That sure makes a properly working PRV important to flow control in a fixed displacement pump system.

 

[AKKAMAAN]

Well now, that's impressive! It would seem to say that 1/4" hoses are as good as 1/2" hoses as long as the restriction didn't produce enough backpressure to open the PRV. A restrictor orifice of 0.030" would slow flow only because it caused maximum pressure and PRV opening. That sure makes a properly working PRV important to flow control in a fixed displacement pump system.

That is right!
But a 1/4" hose will create a increased pressure that will cause a power loss as HEAT....
All restriction causes power losses as heat if there is a flow present...

A restriction on the work port CAN make it easier to FEATHER or METER the CV...
FEATHER means DIVIDE FLOW between WORK PORT and the partly OPEN CENTER...
That means a RESTRICTOR will work well as FLOW CONTROL as long we DO NOT FULLY CLOSE THE CENTER of the control valve

So there are basically 3 options that can happen with a restrictor as flow control on the work port....

1. With CV center fully closed, no change in flow, and pump pressure is below PRV setting
2. With CV center fully closed, pump pressure at PRV setting and restrictor will deliver a reduced flow through work port
3. With CV center partly closed, pump pressure below OR at PRV setting and restrictor will deliver a reduced flow through the work port

NOTE: Flow through the restrictor is dependent on the differential pressure (delta P) over the restrictor....pump pressure minus load pressure....which means that if load pressure changes flow trough restrictor will change as well

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would just get a new valve. The on JJ listed from Surplus Center is the one I use and its been tough as nails for many seasons. Much cheaper and easier than trying to track down all the parts to change your valve to open center.

Chris