hydraulic post driver help

[docshannon]

Hi there, have a few questions for a shaver HD post driver. It works when hooked up to the rear remotes on my tractor, but I wanted more hit strength so I plumbed a larger line for the return directly back to the hydraulic reservoir through the fill port. Thing is, now it won't do anything. Any ideas?

 

[oldnslo]

Did you try moving the lever on the directional valve feeding the rear remotes both ways?

 

[J_J]

Your return should have been going to the fill hole anyway.

Since you didn't change the input, it should work as before.

Did you bungee the remote valve open?

You can bypass the remote valve and put a QD on the PB line coming into the remote valve. Then just plug the post pounder into the PB QD,

Does your post pounder have a PB port. If it is a Gresen valve, it probably does.

The hyd doesn't affect the pounder potential, it is the springs and weight that does the job.

The hyd just pushes the cyl up and moves the tilt, etc.

Only things that will increase pounding potential is stronger springs and more weight.


Impact at Full Stroke

HD-8---30,000 lbs.

HD-10---71,500 lbs.

HD-12---100,000 lbs.

Shaver | Standard Post Drivers

 

[RedNeckRacin]

IF you want it to hit harder, a larger spring and more weight would be a big help once you get the hydraulics figured out.

 

[docshannon]

Thanks for the replies! Was told the hitting force would be less because the smaller return would not let the valve dump fast enough. Yes it's a gresen valve, and yes I bugged the remote valve open. Thought about bypassing bypassing the remote valve but kind of in a a crappie spot. Works good up and down when plugged into the remotes.

 

[RickB]

Thanks for the replies! Was told the hitting force would be less because the smaller return would not let the valve dump fast enough.

That is true. Everything else J_J told you is also true.

 

[J_J]

If your valves are sized for the pump flow, that is the best you can do.

The hose size should be matched to the port size and fittings also.

If you have QD's, they might slow you down.

How old is the Shaver? The springs could be weak from prior use.

 

[DT86]

IF you want it to hit harder, a larger spring and more weight would be a big help once you get the hydraulics figured out.

One of the best things I ever did was to replace both springs on our HD10. Night and day difference.

I've seen people run them without the springs. I had one spring holder break and thought I could get the job done with one spring. It didn't take but one post to scrap that idea.

OP, is it possible you have the tractor valve bungeed in float, been there done that. Swap outlets and bungee it the other way.

 

[docshannon]

Hi, I just replaced both springs and the whole piston/tube assembly. Seems a bit slower, and yes, it's very old. Used to have it on an International Have mounted on front, now on a belarus on the three point. Used to drive 8 inch pointed post no problem, now they only go in about a foot. Confused on why it doesn't want to work plumbed to the reservoir and why it seems to not be pounding very hard?

 

[J_J]

Are you using the PB port?

Is there any restrictions between the sliding weight and the frame?

Troubleshooting
NOTE: Refer to the Service Parts section of
this manual for a photo and description of all
the parts.
Problem: Drive ram (A1) will not move or
slide freely on main carriage
channel (B1).
Possible Cause/Solution(s):
1. Guide blocks (A2) lack lubricant. Lubricate
with clean engine oil.
2. Guide blocks (A2) installed incorrectly.
Refer to Service Information section
assembly procedures for correct
orientation.
3. Incorrect clearance between main carriage
channel (B1) and drive ram (A1) I-beam.
Refer to Service Information section for
clearance specifications.
4. Hydraulic drive cylinder assembly (C1) is
not parallel to main carriage channel (B1).
Refer to Service Information section,
hydraulic drive cylinder installation, and
parallelism adjustment.
5. Main carriage channel (B1) or drive ram
(A1) is bent or damaged. Discontinue use
and order replacement parts.
Problem: Poor performance, low or no
impact, hydraulic drive cylinder will
not extend.
Possible Cause/Solution(s):
1. Weak or broken drive ram springs (C14).
2. Broken lower spring bracket (C13).
3. Bent or damaged hydraulic drive cylinder
assembly (C1).
4. Main carriage channel (B1) is binding.
5. Restricted or plugged hydraulic hose(s)
(G15, G17, G20).
6. Low or no hydraulic pressure or flow from
the machine or power source.
26

 

[MikePA]

It works when hooked up to the rear remotes on my tractor, but I wanted more hit strength so I plumbed a larger line for the return directly back to the hydraulic reservoir through the fill port. Thing is, now it won't do anything. Any ideas?

Was told the hitting force would be less because the smaller return would not let the valve dump fast enough. Yes it's a gresen valve, and yes I bugged the remote valve open. Thought about bypassing bypassing the remote valve but kind of in a a crappie spot. Works good up and down when plugged into the remotes.

Hi, I just replaced both springs and the whole piston/tube assembly. Seems a bit slower, and yes, it's very old. Used to have it on an International Have mounted on front, now on a belarus on the three point. Used to drive 8 inch pointed post no problem, now they only go in about a foot. Confused on why it doesn't want to work plumbed to the reservoir and why it seems to not be pounding very hard?

Assuming I understand your posts correctly, the only thing that changed from the pounder working fine, to it not working, was you changed the return line.

Correct?

If so, that's where your problem is.

Have you tried putting the original return line back on the pounder?

 

[RickB]

Assuming I understand your posts correctly, the only thing that changed from the pounder working fine, to it not working, was you changed the return line.

Correct?

If so, that's where your problem is.

Have you tried putting the original return line back on the pounder?

Or he has the pressure and return reversed.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Also, make sure the entire assembly has some good lube on the slide rails! We always had to loosen ours up a little bit after it had been sitting for awhile and a good dousing of some light weight oil went a long ways!

Sounds like the best idea is to go back to the original condition and then change things one at a time to figure out where things went awry.

 

[J_J]

Assuming I understand your posts correctly, the only thing that changed from the pounder working fine, to it not working, was you changed the return line.

Correct?

If so, that's where your problem is.

Have you tried putting the original return line back on the pounder?

He said he installed a larger return line from the OUT port to tank.

The original hose was 3/4 in.

What is the valve OUT port size?

What is the fitting size, and is it restricted?

Are you using the valve PB back to tractor 3pt?

If not, then pump flow and cyl flow is flowing through the return hose.

 

[MikePA]

All these posts suggest great things to check or do.

However, I have worked in IT my entire career which involves a lot of problem solving. Many of the technical people want to dive into reacting to and resolving the symptoms.

My approach is simple, particularly in situations like this.

1. Something was working.
2. Something stopped working.

I ask myself, "What changed?"

1. Hoses were connected and disconnected
2. The return line was changed

As was just mentioned, return the pounder back to the condition it was in before all these changes and see if it works as it used to.

 

[J_J]

Actually, the question is why is the weight not dropping fast enough.

And yes, there is more to it than just switching a larger hose back to a smaller hose.

First thing, he said it was not working good enough.

He replaced the 3/4 hose with a larger hose thinking the fluid would flow better and going directly into the tank..

Still does not work as expected.

So answer the top question.

Perhaps the slide has some resistance in it, slowing it down. Use oil only not grease.

Is the slide/weight being raised all the way up.

Fitting going into the cyl is 1/2 in, the return port fitting is 3/4 in, with a larger hose.

The cyl should not be tight, once tight, back off the nut about 1/2 turn according the Shaver rep.

What now, swap the hoses back and hope it works like new.

I think there is a little more to the problem.

I like simple also, but usually doesn't happen.

 

[J_J]

Thanks for the replies! Was told the hitting force would be less because the smaller return would not let the valve dump fast enough. Yes it's a gresen valve, and yes I bugged the remote valve open. Thought about bypassing bypassing the remote valve but kind of in a a crappie spot. Works good up and down when plugged into the remotes.

The last sentence is what I don't understand.

I am not sure we have the full story.

but

If he only replaced the 3/4 hose with a 1 in hose,

Changed out the cyl and springs with new,

Made sure the cyl was parrallel to the housing,

Backed off the cyl nut 1/2 turn.

Oiled the slider bushings.

Then, the system should work like new.

 

[MikePA]

It works when hooked up to the rear remotes on my tractor,

...but I wanted more hit strength

...I plumbed a larger line for the return directly back to the hydraulic reservoir through the fill port.

...now it won't do anything

Works good up and down when plugged into the remotes.

I just replaced both springs and the whole piston/tube assembly. Seems a bit slower,

Used to have it on an International Have mounted on front, now on a belarus on the three point. Used to drive 8 inch pointed post no problem, now they only go in about a foot. Confused on why it doesn't want to work plumbed to the reservoir and why it seems to not be pounding very hard?

It's not clear whether it could 'drive an 8 inch post no problem';

1. On the International
2. On the Belarus before the OP made the changes

What now, swap the hoses back and hope it works like new.

I'm not out to start an argument. My goal was to get back to a working set up, make changes from there, and solve one problem at a time.

Good luck, OP.

 

[docshannon]

Sorry about all the confusion, it worked fine on the international. Doesn't seem to hit as hard on the belarus. Not sure what the pb valve is? And which nut shouldn't be tight? Lock nut on top or underneath the top of the ram? And yes I switched back to the quick attach hose, , ones up and down, but not with much strength. Thank you all for trying to help me out!

 

[docshannon]

It does pound with the quick attach's plugged into the remotes, just not really hard. So I'll the diameter of the springs for an HD 10 or 12 fit in n hd8?