JD Log Splitter SAGA Continues !!!

Thom2 · Jan 8, 2010

Well here I am again and the Log Splitter still hates me.

To refresh your memory.
I have my log splitter hooked to the remotes on my JD 65 hp Tractor. I pull the SVC lever to the rear to create the flow to the splitter.

(1) I have installed a New Cylinder.
Heavy-duty Double Acting Cylinder, 24 Stroke x 4 in. dia. - 1837573 | Tractor Supply Company

(2) Installed a New Control Valve
https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2252122610015452&catname=hydraulic&qty=1&item=9-6765

(3) I placed a Pressure Gauge inline between the hose from the remote quick connect and the INPUT to the Control Valve.

NOW! Here what's happening.

When I move the Control Valve to move the cylinder rod forward, it moves approx. 1 inch per second. The pressure gauge shows ZERO.

When I move the Control Valve to move the cylinder rod back to the retracted position, it moves NORMALLY.

If I hold pressure on the Control Valve lever when the rod has returned, the pressure will go to 2200 psi.

I then move the Control Valve lever to move the cylinder rod forward, and it repeats the extremely slow speed. Also the feed hose from my tractor pulsates as if the flow is being interrupted.

Note: I have a Front-end Loader on the tractor, it operates fine. The 3 point lift is fine as well.

I just want to split some firewood. HELP!!!

AKKAMAAN · Jan 8, 2010

Re: JD Log Splitter **** Again!!

Thom2 said:
Well here I am again in "Log Splitter ****".

To refresh your memory.
I have my log splitter hooked to the remotes on my JD 65 hp Tractor. I pull the SVC lever to the rear to create the flow to the splitter.

(1) I have installed a New Cylinder.
Heavy-duty Double Acting Cylinder, 24 Stroke x 4 in. dia. - 1837573 | Tractor Supply Company

Rated 2500psi....I would choose a 3000psi rated for logsplitters at Surpluscenter

(2) Installed a New Control Valve
https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2252122610015452&catname=hydraulic&qty=1&item=9-6765

Detent kit available!

(3) I placed a Pressure Gauge inline between the hose from the remote quick connect and the INPUT to the Control Valve.

Ok!

NOW Here what's happening.

When I move the Control Valve to move the cylinder rod forward, it moves approx. 1 inch per second. The pressure gauge shows ZERO.

0-3000psi or 0-5000psi gauge?

When I move the Control Valve to move the cylinder rod back to the retracted position, it moves NORMALLY.

Do extend till cyl stalls and hold for a few sec's. It should build pressure now. Air needs to be pushed (bleeded out)

If I hold pressure on the Control Valve lever when the rod has returned, the pressure will go to 2200 psi.

Then 2200psi is obviously the manufacturer setting on the RV

I then move the Control Valve lever to move the cylinder rod forward, and it repeats the extremely slow speed. Also the feed hose from my tractor pulsates as if the flow is being interrupted.

Do extend till cyl stalls and hold for a few sec's. It should build pressure now. Air needs to be pushed (bleeded out)

Note: I have a Front-end Loader on the tractor, it operates fine. The 3 point lift is fine as well.

Thats natural in this cae....your logsplitter is power beyond down stream

I just want to split some firewood. HELP!!!

Just repeat extend to till cyl stalls, and also retract till cyl stalls...for a few cycles....
Try that and then we'll see what next if needed

Willl · Jan 8, 2010

Are you using the 'curl' circuit of your SVC ?, try the 'lift' circuit instead.

Diamondpilot · Jan 8, 2010

Are you sure you have the hoses connected correctly? That is the input hose hooked to the output side of the log splitter valve, ect???? You may need to just push your remote handle forward instead of backwards.

Also, JD has to be difficult and use a different type of QC. Are you sure you have the right ones on your splitter hoses? Also has this splitter ever worked correctly on this tractor?

Chris

Thom2 · Jan 8, 2010

Chris,

The supply line from the tractor is going to 3/4" inlet marked IN on the Control valve.
I tried moving the remote handle forward and nothing happens at all.

I been using the splitter on this JD tractor for 15 years. You've suggested things on my previous post about this problem when I found the cylinder was bad. Or was it?

Tomorrow I'm going to hook up my hydraulic scraper blade which has 2 cylinders ( Tilt & Swing) to check the remotes.

J_J · Jan 9, 2010

I read an article about mismatch with poppet and ball type QD's a while back. If you are using QD's, check and see if both the male and female QD have the same center, such as a ball to ball, or a poppet to poppet. Try to avoid poppet to ball. One of those has better flow characteristics. I think the poppet is the better one out of the two.

I think your input hose is hooked up to the out port on the valve. Plug the gage into the QD directly. check both lines.

Thom2 · Jan 9, 2010

J_J,

The QC are AG ball type. The same that I use on all my equipment.

This problem really has me stumped. It's 14 degrees and I'm running out of firewood

RickB · Jan 9, 2010

I see that new valve has load checks (which are not needed for a log splitter application, but shouldn't cause problems). I wonder if something is afoul there; especially if the new valve and cylinder isn't bled out yet. Good flow/speed in one direction says the connection to the tractor is probably OK.

J_J · Jan 9, 2010

Thom2 said:
J_J,

The QC are AG ball type. The same that I use on all my equipment.

This problem really has me stumped. It's 14 degrees and I'm running out of firewood

How did you determine the hyd cyl was bad. Did you put a known good 2500 psi to it in both directions? A test gage would be invaluable here.

J_J · Jan 9, 2010

RickB

Just about all valves have load checks. They are to prevent any movement of the load when shifting the spools in an out of neutral. That is not to say that they can not fail.

Thom2 · Jan 9, 2010

J.J,

I connected the remote hoses directly to the cylinder & used the SVC levers. The old cylinder didn't move.

--Thom

RickB · Jan 9, 2010

J_J said:
RickB

Just about all valves have load checks. They are to prevent any movement of the load when shifting the spools in an out of neutral. That is not to say that they can not fail.

I know full well what a load check is. Common log splitter valves do not have them, and if I were choosing a valve for a log splitter, I would choose a valve without that feature. For that application load checks serve no useful purpose. Thanks for admitting that a load check can fail. I'll sleep better tonight.

J_J · Jan 9, 2010

This will be my last question on this thread. Did any fluid come out the other port on the cyl. I just can't see the cyl working normally in one direction, and not the other. If the push side is leaking, then fluid will come out the other port. It would probably extend even if it has a leak. If you can pull the rod out to the extended position, put a gage on the rod end port and see if you have any pressure with the lever in extend mode. A gage is necessary for these kinds of problem.

kenstrac · Jan 9, 2010

Swap the hoses on the piston and try, than swap the hoses at the tractor valve and flip the lever the other way,that should help in diagnosis

Thom2 · Jan 9, 2010

Yes, JJ fluid ran out of each hole in the cylinder.

OK Here's the latest.

1) The hydraulic fluid is full as per the dip stick on the tractor.

2) The cylinder rod now moves forward, still very, very slow.

3) Holding the valve lever at the end of the stroke the pressure gauge reads between 100 and 250 psi. max.

4) I put a small log on the splitter there wasn't enough pressure to split it.

5) Holding the valve lever when the rod is extracted, the pressure gauge reads 2000 psi.

5) The hoses flex & jump as if there is still air in the lines after I have run the cylinder in & out at least 12 times, holding the lever at the end of each stroke.

6) The hoses get warm even in this 15 degree weather, which makes me believe there is pressure on them.

7) I've swapped hoses & outlets on the remote with the same results.

8) After cycling the log splitter a number of times & using the controls on my FEL, the loader chatters until I cycle it a couple of times.

I don't know what else to do. ---Thom

kenstrac · Jan 9, 2010

Thom2 said:
Yes, JJ fluid ran out of each hole in the cylinder.

OK Here's the latest.

1) The hydraulic fluid is full as per the dip stick on the tractor.

2) The cylinder rod now moves forward, still very, very slow.

3) Holding the valve lever at the end of the stroke the pressure gauge reads between 100 and 250 psi. max.

4) I put a small log on the splitter there wasn't enough pressure to split it.

5) Holding the valve lever when the rod is extracted, the pressure gauge reads 2000 psi.

5) The hoses flex & jump as if there is still air in the lines after I have run the cylinder in & out at least 12 times, holding the lever at the end of each stroke.

6) The hoses get warm even in this 15 degree weather, which makes me believe there is pressure on them.

7) I've swapped hoses & outlets on the remote with the same results.

8) After cycling the log splitter a number of times & using the controls on my FEL, the loader chatters until I cycle it a couple of times.

I don't know what else to do. ---Thom

did you swap the hoses on the piston

Thom2 · Jan 9, 2010

kenstrak,

I was going to, but the cylinder hoses aren't long enough to come from the A-B fitting on the Control Valve.

It's hooked up the way it's was with the old cylinder.

kenstrac · Jan 9, 2010

To bad if it puts out 2000psi in retract it should put out 2000 on extend by reversing hoses and you could use it for now that would tell you it's the valve if it does the same I would think its the piston nut loose to rod.

Leejohn · Jan 9, 2010

The psi well go to 2000psi on the B port and only 200psi on the A port. It has to be the valve. The wrong spool has got put in it. The A port is only opening a little and the tank port is not getting closed at the right time or at all, letting the oil go to the tank. I'll be sending the valve back, but before I did I would bypass the new valve and run with the remote valve just to be sure. Someone said that before.