JD 2305 Power Beyond Kit questions

[Foxtrot08]

I just picked up an old JI Case duel sided, 10ton, 3 point Log splitter at an auction for next to nothing. Changed a few hoses and ran it off my Dad's Boomer 2420 - thing runs great, but the goal is to keep it at my house to split wood there, since my father already has a log splitter.

However, my 2305 doesn't have rear remotes.

First question - The Power beyond kit - how much should one cost? Just roughly so I know if I should call around or even get it shipped in, etc.

Second question - What side fittings does it come with? The 1/2 inch ones like the CX200 FEL? If so, are they threaded on and can I step them up to 3/4ths?

Third question - Will it run a log splitter alright? I know it's not the quickest thing in the world, but it worked nicely on the NH 2420 and the previous owner ran it from a Kubota B2900, so I can't imagine that it's a terrible difference between my 2305 @ 25 HP, to the 2900 @ 29 HP. Plus a newer machine vs a mid 90's one, etc.


Fourth question - if the Power Beyond kit doesn't have enough umph to run it - should I go for a PTO powered pump for it?

As I said, this isn't going to be for 'all the time' use, just something to split some of the bigger pieces, or if I run into a truck load of wood somewhere other then my parents farm, or trees I knock down around my house, so I don't have to go use a splitter.

Worse case, my father already said he'd pay me what I paid for it if I can't use it!

(Also sounds like a fantastic excuse to get a 2720 to me.)

 

[jgayman]

I know this doesn't directly address all your questions but it may be helpful. I have a 2720 and want to run a hydraulic top link. It looked to me like a 3rd SCV would run around $1100. I decided to simply buy the LVB25606 kit which routes my mid SCVs to the rear into four 1/2" AG quick connections. I don't have much experience with hydraulics but I noticed the rear quick connects that came with the kit are MUCH larger than the mid-mount connections. It was around $270. It was very easy to install. I'm still awaiting delivery of my hydraulic top link.

Here is an image of the kit. If someone can confirm the size and type of Part #12 I would appreciate it.

 

[KennyG]

I looked at the JD parts on line site and it's easy to find the Power Beyond kit but for some reason I can't pull up a price for it. I would suggest just calling a dealer but I think it's around $150 to $200. Kind of pricey for what's included, but it's good to have. I have it on my 2320 and use for a 3 point splitter. The quick connects are larger than the FEL. I assume they are 3/4.

In using your tractor for the splitter, it's not the horsepower to be concerned about, it's the hydraulic flow rate. Your 2305, like my 2320 is limited in flow (they have the same engine and hydraulic ratings), so if you got a powerful splitter with a 4" cylinder, it would just be too slow. However, if the splitter is a 10 ton, it's probably a 2.5" or 3" cylinder. I've got the Northern Tool "PowerHorse" 13 ton splitter. It only has a 3" cylinder and it's a two way splitter, so it works pretty fast with a small tractor. I've been working through my wood pile in my spare time over the last few weeks and I've split about 4 cords, some of the rounds over 24" in diameter. I've got three or four gnarly twisted pieces sitting off to the side that I couldn't split. The rest split easily.

To go cheap, you could always adapt your FEL outputs to the splitter if you can bungee your FEL control in the open position.

 

[Foxtrot08]

I would like to eventually get a 260 backhoe for my tractor - if I can ever justify the cost of it, but we'll see on that. So I figure if I get the power beyond kid, that is one less thing I have to buy later. Plus I would like to do things properly and if I ever decide to upgrade/trade in - it increases my trade in value a little bit.

But that's exactly what I was looking for.

Here is a picture of it from Mytractorforum - same model, mine has a bit less paint lol.

http://www.mytractorforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=153885&d=1303342156

Here are the specs:
Specs:
Cycle time (out & return) 12.8 seconds
Splitting stroke: 25"
Splitting pressure: outward 12 tons - return 9.8 tons
Hydraulic cylinder: 3.5"
Rod: 1.5"
Weight: 341 Lbs

Not sure what they mean by a 3.5 inch cylinder (outer dia maybe?) but the internal (rod) seems like 1.5 inches, if I looked the specs up properly.


Edit: Just called my dealership, $213 for the Powerbeyond kit, went a head and ordered it. Will be picking it up in a week. So looks like I know what I'm doing next weekend!

 

[KennyG]

A 3.5 inch cylinder should have a 3.5 inch diameter piston. This makes sense because it would calculate out to 12 tons at a hydraulic pressure of 2500 psi. My splitter is rated at 13 tons with a 3 inch cylinder, which means they assumed closer to 3500 psi - a bit optimistic but it still gets the job done. The stroke time usually assumes you have unlimited flow and is based on a flow limitation within the splitter. My guess, based on my experience, is that your tractor will cycle a bit slower than 12.8 seconds - maybe 20 to 25 seconds. At 341 pounds, that's a serious piece of equipment - mine weighs less than half that.

 

[Foxtrot08]

It's a lot of steel, I will say that much. 341lbs? Maybe... I can barely pick it up and move it. (6'1" 250lb - farm kid.)

Either way, I found the specs on it in a manual online. It's a ingersoll model J32. It was original designed for small case tractors - the 440 series I guess? I don't know the specs on them.

20 seconds is fine with me - most wood pops before then anyways. My only issue is it had 3/4in fittings on right now, so I'm going to make an adapter from 3/4 to 1/2 inch. Just a 3/4 inch feel male, a small piece of pipe, and a 1/2 inch male ending.

Or I could just make 1/2 inch lines to fit for it. I can make my own hydraulic lines too... Thoughts!

But for $450, seems like a good investment, even if I get a bigger tractor down the road.

 

[jenkinsph]

I would install the power beyond and then match up the hoses running to your splitter after you know what you need. It may be slow but I bet it is a lot faster than me using a sledge and wedges.