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.

 

[Firefighter Kubota]

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

The powerhorse splitter is rated up to 3000 psi...per thier manual..Hyd lines need to be rated for 3k for both the inlet and outlet....If you have 3000 in you have 3000 out in a loop system....

 

[J_J]

Theoretically, the IN and OUT ports should have the same psi rating, but the OUT port sees mostly low pressure, because there is nothing else before reservoir. If the OUT of the log splitter should go to the 3pt, then you would expect the log splitter to have whatever pressure the 3pt valve will allow, and this pressure is determined by the load on the 3pt assembly, and could be as high as 2500 to 3000 psi.

 

[Matyac]

Theoretically, the IN and OUT ports should have the same psi rating, but the OUT port sees mostly low pressure, because there is nothing else before reservoir. If the OUT of the log splitter should go to the 3pt, then you would expect the log splitter to have whatever pressure the 3pt valve will allow, and this pressure is determined by the load on the 3pt assembly, and could be as high as 2500 to 3000 psi.

J_J, thanks for the reply. Perhaps the psi rating on inlet and outlet ports are the same, but if this were true why are most tractor control valves plumbed for high pressure inlet, high pressure outlet (power beyond) to the next valve, and low pressure outlet to the tank?

I'm just trying to get it all straight.

-Scott

 

[J_J]

Well, that is easy. If you order a valve that has the PB port as an option, then all fluid goes out the OUT port. After you install the PB sleeve, all fluid flows out the PB port, except the fluid from the work ports. and this is low pressure fluid going back to tank..

 

[Matyac]

Well, that is easy. If you order a valve that has the PB port as an option, then all fluid goes out the OUT port. After you install the PB sleeve, all fluid flows out the PB port, except the fluid from the work ports. and this is low pressure fluid going back to tank..

J_J,

Thanks again. I suppose that what I'm really trying to get at is why it is necessary to have PB at all, if a series of open center valves would work just as well. I think I've found the answers here:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/hydraulics/116052-what-does-power-beyond-really.html

For me, the take home messages are:

- Open center systems operate at low pressure and high flow when all valves are in the neutral position

- System pressure builds when you move a lever and perform work with a hydraulic cylinder

- The outlet of an open center valve is designed to route hydraulic fluid from the work ports back to the tank at low pressure

Operating the 3PH with the splitter connected as desribed in this thread would subject the outlet port of the splitter valve to high pressure and could damage the splitter valve (perhaps a blown o-ring). I assume the arrangement works because the 3PH is usually only loaded with the splitter and lifting it does not generate pressure sufficient to damage the valve.

 

[jas67]

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.

It's OK to do that, so long as you don't lift the 3PH while the splitter valve is connected. That way, you won't get back pressure on the return port of the splitter valve. You could just cap/plug the line feeding the 3 point, and connect the return from the splitter valve directly to the tank return line, to prevent accidental actuation of the 3PH.

 

[Firefighter Kubota]

It's OK to do that, so long as you don't lift the 3PH while the splitter valve is connected. That way, you won't get back pressure on the return port of the splitter valve. You could just cap/plug the line feeding the 3 point, and connect the return from the splitter valve directly to the tank return line, to prevent accidental actuation of the 3PH.

Sort of defeats the purpose... You will want to lift the 3pt with the splitter to lower for large logs and then raise it to work at a comfortable height.

I have rear remotes with PB, The flow of fluid on the tractor...from the Pump to FEL (w/PB) to rear remotes (with PB) then PB is used to feed a loop with QCs, for log splitter (which can handle hi press in AND OUT) then to the 3pt hitch, and back to the pump / tank...

This is how the sytem works and is designed to work..

 

[ayelvington]

I hooked up a Harbor Freight hydraulic splitter to my little BX-24 and it works like a champ connected between the power-out and power-beyond connections. You can read about it over here: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/158895-harbor-freight-3-point-log.html

Took it out into the woods for a cutting bee, and I was able to hop from tree-to-tree to split rollers on the spot.

 

[BotaBigot]

To reiterate...not all control valves have the same pressure spec in and out. My documentation says max pressure 2750 PSI, but it also says "Maximum Tank Pressure 500 PSI," which to me means no more than 500 PSI backpressure on the outlet side of valve...that can be easily exceeded in a PB circuit when using a downstream implement.

 

[J_J]

The only fluid going back to tank would be from the return ports of each valve, and the output from the last valve in the circuit, and that is low pressure.

If the pump is running, and no valves are activated, there is very little or no pressure in the hyd circuit.