Log splitter connections

[kennyd]

OK guys, I'm pretty confident that I've got this. A little research and exploratory surgery netted the following pictures. One is from the parts book, and the other from my FEL valve. The line I need to tap into is the one marked BY on the valve and listed as PB on the diagram, right? This would make it the forward of the pair of lines at the rear as in the third picture, according to the parts diagram and from tracing it back from the FEL valve.

So, what I intend to do is to extend the PB line at the rear point just before it goes into the elbow. Then I'll rotate the elbow rearward and extend a line from there. The two new lines will be coupled together until I want to connect the splitter, then I will uncouple and insert the splitter. If this all sounds good, let me know.

My only outright question is does it matter which side connects to what line on the splitter? My thoughts are that it doesn't since the PB circuit is just providing flow and the splitter valve directs it. It shouldn't matter which quick connects are male or female, and I shouldn't have to mark them, right?

Your hookup sounds correct to me...But you do need to hook it up so the OUT from the tractor's pump goes to the IN of the splitter's valve for everything to work properly. The fluid flow through the valve's is directional.

 

[J_J]

OK guys, I'm pretty confident that I've got this. A little research and exploratory surgery netted the following pictures. One is from the parts book, and the other from my FEL valve. The line I need to tap into is the one marked BY on the valve and listed as PB on the diagram, right? This would make it the forward of the pair of lines at the rear as in the third picture, according to the parts diagram and from tracing it back from the FEL valve.

So, what I intend to do is to extend the PB line at the rear point just before it goes into the elbow. Then I'll rotate the elbow rearward and extend a line from there. The two new lines will be coupled together until I want to connect the splitter, then I will uncouple and insert the splitter. If this all sounds good, let me know.

My only outright question is does it matter which side connects to what line on the splitter? My thoughts are that it doesn't since the PB circuit is just providing flow and the splitter valve directs it. It shouldn't matter which quick connects are male or female, and I shouldn't have to mark them, right?

I believe that it is most common for the pressure line from the tractor to have the male QD fitting. The breakaway QD setup, deviates from that.

The pressure line attaches to the "P" port/in port on the log splitter valve

 

[korydz]

OK, so the flow is coming FROM the FEL valve and flowing TO the rear of the tractor currently, right? So once I extend that line, I put a male QD on that and a female on the line that is going back to the tractor. Connect the two together when not splitting; hook up the splitter when its time to make logs into sticks.

Thanks everyone. Once its all done I'll post pics.

 

[jas67]

You are correct on most accounts, except your spitter valve ports will be labeled IN and OUT . if you reveresed the flow I don't think it will harm anything but it WAS designed with a flow in a particular direction...so on your initial installation, make sure the PB line goes to the IN side. Once you've done it once with the quick connects, it will line up every other time.

Good Luck.

With many valves the direction DOES matter, as they may have a check valve. I destroyed my loader valve on the woods loader on my B7100, because whoever installed it didn't put a power beyond sleeve in, and had the tank return feeding the 3PH. When I plumbed my remotes, I put the valve for the remotes between the loader and the 3PH. I inadvertently had the two hose switched, the hose that should've gone to the IN port was connected to the Power Beyond output. This valve apparently has some sort of check valve, because you can't put oil IN the Power Beyond port. When i started the tractor, the engine started, but bogged down briefly, until I heard a "POP", and oil started gushing from the loader valve. Relief valves do not work if they have not place to relieve to (which is the reason for separate tank return, and power beyond ports).

This was a $250 mistake (new loader valve, and fittings). It could have been a LOT worse; it could have been the pump, which is very specific to the engine on my B7100.

Needless to say, the new loader valve is connected properly with the Power Beyond port sending oil to the remote valve, and the tank port going directly to the tank.

Moral -- be VERY careful with hydraulic plumbing, or your break something expensive.

 

[kennyd]

OK, so the flow is coming FROM the FEL valve and flowing TO the rear of the tractor currently, right? So once I extend that line, I put a male QD on that and a female on the line that is going back to the tractor. Connect the two together when not splitting; hook up the splitter when its time to make logs into sticks.

Thanks everyone. Once its all done I'll post pics.

You got it

 

[Matyac]

Is is really okay to connect a log splitter ahead of the 3PH? This would subject the outlet port of the splitter valve to high pressure. My understanding is that outlet ports are designed for low pressure return of hydraulic fluid to the tank.

Several of the posts I've read on this topic say that only the last valve in a series (in this case the 3PH) should be without PB.

Am I missing something?

Thanks.

-Scott

 

[kennyd]

Is is really okay to connect a log splitter ahead of the 3PH? This would subject the outlet port of the splitter valve to high pressure. My understanding is that outlet ports are designed for low pressure return of hydraulic fluid to the tank.

Several of the posts I've read on this topic say that only the last valve in a series (in this case the 3PH) should be without PB.

Am I missing something?

Thanks.

-Scott

Isn't that how the Backhoe connects? You are using the same hoses...

 

[korydz]

I see this thread has some new interest, so I thought I would post an update. I used the splitter extensively with this set up and it works flawlessly. Connections are quick and painless and the power and speed are excellent.

Last weekend we split 6 cords of birch in six hours with this set up. Thanks for the help from my fellow TBNers, and if you're in the market for a splitter, definitely checkout the Splitfire.

Split-Fire Sales Inc. :: Welcome :: Quality Built. High Performance. Split-Fire - Your Best Choice

 

[Matyac]

Isn't that how the Backhoe connects? You are using the same hoses...

I don't have a backhoe, but my understanding is that they typically connect with three hydraulic lines: 1) inlet (high pressure from FEL power beyond), 2) PB (high pressure out to 3PH), and 3) outlet (low pressure to tank).

The arrangement described here lacks the low pressure return to tank. My sense is that it would be important to know the allowable pressure on the outlet port of the splitter valve (I've read that it might likely be in the 500 PSI range) and then figure out how much pressure might be generated by lifting the splitter with the 3PH.

-Scott

 

[soulasphil]

Not having power beyond installed on my JD 3520, I use the 3rd SCV to operate the splitter and other hydraulic implements. Quite neat and works all right if you hold the lever properly with bungee or small chain during operation.