Hello! Newb with that age old log splitter hookup question.

[twomorestrokes]

Been browsing this forum for a couple years now and I finally stumbled across a small 3pt splitter to use on my BX2230 with LA22 FEL (Loader controls stay with loader when removed). Eventually I want to run it off the PTO using a Prince 11gpm pump but need to get splitting wood on the cheap right away due to a rotator cuff injury. Splitter is a 12t Ramsplitter advertised for use on small tractors with low output pumps, using a 3" ram and a Prince hi speed valve. Been surfing this forum for days and haven't quite found the answer I'm looking for. My apologies for rehashing this old subject, but I want to run the splitter from the FEL ports and evaluate the performance before springing for a PTO pump. I want to use TWO of the three ports at the loader connectors that come out under the engine for simplicity (PB, pump, tank) and just disconnect FEL and plug in splitter when ready to park and split. Is this possible and which ports?

 

[J_J]

Find the PB line going back to the rear, and install a QD that matches the log splitter.

When not using the splitter, the QD are connected.

When using the log splitter, disconnect the QD, and plug in the log splitter to the FEL valve side.

Run the return/OUT from the log splitter to the fill cap, or a return line

 

[twomorestrokes]

Find the PB line going back to the rear, and install a QD that matches the log splitter.

When not using the splitter, the QD are connected.

When using the log splitter, disconnect the QD, and plug in the log splitter to the FEL valve side.

Run the return/OUT from the log splitter to the fill cap, or a return line

Thanks for your quick reply JJ! I've run across many of your posts during my searches. It probably sounds simple to folks more used to tractors than myself but I don't see any lines going back to the rear of the tractor. I see the add on block by the LR tire for the loader and the lines go forward to the right engine area QD. That's why I was wondering about connecting there with longer hoses. What am I missing? Type slowly for us city boys lol.

 

[J_J]

If you go to Messick's | Dealer for New Holland, Case IH, Kubota, Cub Cadet and More | Online Parts, Sales & Service. , you can request a hyd schematic of your tractor.

If you have FEL installed, there is a hyd line feeding the IN port of the FEL valve, and one or two lines coming back to the block.

Can you ID the PB line coming back to the block? If so, add a QD there and plug in the log splitter.

You want the hyd flow to go from the pump , to the FEL valve, then to the log splitter, then to tank or a return line. .

If you are not using the log splitter, reconnect the original hoses.

Can you show pictures of your FEL valve and hyd block.

 

[twomorestrokes]

Thanks for talking slow JJ. It's starting to click. Went out to the barn where the loader is stored so I could see how it would hook up to my tractor. The back of the valve is marked PB on the port I'm looking for. There is a hard line coming off that port with a QD on it that the hose from the block plugs into. (right now that hose is simply plugged into the "pump" QD with the loader removed) I think I finally understand how the PB circuit works.

Here are the pics I took. In the second photo the rear capped port is return to tank, center port is pump and front port with hose permanently attached (green tape) is PB and plugs into the rear of the fel valve. So if I hooked the splitter up with the loader not on the tractor, I'd simply hook "pump" port to the in port of the splitter and the "tank" port to the out port on the splitter?

 

[buickanddeere]

Assuming here both the tractor and splitter are set up for an open center hydraulic system?

 

[J_J]

It is not a good idea to put QD's in a pump line because if the QD should disconnect for some reason with the engine running, the pump would deadhead and the pump might explode or crack open.

If the loader valve will stay on the tractor, use the PB from the loader valve for the source to the log splitter.

Log splitter OUT/return can go to tank or a return line using a tee.

Do you have QD/s on the loader cyl. If so, that will prevent you spraying fluid everywhere if you touch the FEL levers.

 

[twomorestrokes]

It is not a good idea to put QD's in a pump line because if the QD should disconnect for some reason with the engine running, the pump would deadhead and the pump might explode or crack open.

If the loader valve will stay on the tractor, use the PB from the loader valve for the source to the log splitter.

Log splitter OUT/return can go to tank or a return line using a tee.

Do you have QD/s on the loader cyl. If so, that will prevent you spraying fluid everywhere if you touch the FEL levers.

Thank you. I'll take your advice. Since the fel valve comes off with the loader, there are QD's everywhere. (including one on the pump line) There are QD's at the loader cylinders as well but I don't understand why that would keep fluid from spraying if I knocked the lever?

 

[J_J]

Since the FEL valve comes off with the loader, I would install a relief valve on the pmp output to protect the pump in all situations.

The log splitter has it's relief, and the 3pt has a relief.

I was thinking if the loader valve stayed with the loader, you might have open work ports, but if there are QD's that the loader cyl plug into, then you are OK.

You can use the same ports for the log splitter that the loader was using.

Ever how you do it, you need a complete path for the pump fluid.

 

[twomorestrokes]

This project is fighting me every step of the way. My couplers came in at the local Kubota dealer and they are too big. I went back to exchange them and the original dinky couplers on my BX2230 are discontinued. I'd have to buy 6 of these new ones (3 male 3 female) to allow me to switch back and forth between splitter and fel. At dealer pricing I'd be at $150! May as well look for a PTO pump by the time I had hoses made and bought these QD. I found an older post about Kubota 9840-2 couplers made by Snap Tite. Is this what I'm after? H Series

If interchangable, these are 1/3 the cost of Kubota couplers.