Log Splitter problem

CJBOTA · Oct 3, 2013

I started having problems with the directional control valve on my log splitter. It has a feature that automatically releases the handle when the cylinder is retracted. This allows for hands free retraction after splitting a log. The splitter is about 12 years old. It is a 33 ton Troybuilt model. It has been a fantastic splitter. I figured it just needed a new valve. $200 and a oily mess later it was time to test the new valve. Guess what, the handle would still not release upon full retraction. The motor and pump start dead heading until you manually reverse the handle. It sounds like it is making a lot of pressure but the handle will not release. Can anyone tell me what might be wrong?
This is real frustrating after spending $200 and 3 hrs of hard labor. I am probably going to take it to the dealer tomorrow but I would rather solve this myself. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!
CJ

muddstopper · Oct 3, 2013

Have you actually checked the pressure to see if its within specs. The control valves works by allowing a pressure buildup to automaticly center the valve. If your pump is not making enough pressure to center the control valve, then it would just set there and dead head without releasing automaticly. You can try adjusting the relief to a lower setting and see if that cures the control valve sticking. If it does, I would then suspect the pump is starting to see wear and not producing the pressure it once was. With a 33ton splitter, it probably has a 5in bore cylinder and at even a pressure setting of 1000psi, it would still have a splitting force of about 10 tons. More than enough to split just about everything but the nastiest of knarly logs. If the djusting of the detent relief stops the sticking control valve, check the system pressure to see what it is actually set at and then decide if you really need to fix the problem, or if its something you can live with.

CJBOTA · Oct 3, 2013

Muddstopper,
Thanks for replying. No, I have not checked the pressure. What you are saying makes sense to me. I think I'll take this somewhere to be checked. I don't have a pressure gage and I don't know how to adjust the relief valve. It sounds like I already wasted $200 on the new valve.
We split a lot of wood and I really need to get this fixed. Thanks again and I will report back on how things work out.
CJ

murphy1244 · Oct 3, 2013

Where's that JJ when you need him?

wdchyd · Oct 3, 2013

two common things that happen is either your pump is worn or the piston seal in the hyd cyl is bypassing......if pressure doesn't get high enough to satisfy the detent valve it'll never jump back to neutral

to test the pump you'll need a flow/load meter to do it properly, but the piston seal in the cyl is the easiest to fix

Leejohn · Oct 3, 2013

What valve did you buy? Log splitter valves are under $100.00.

CJBOTA · Oct 4, 2013

I bought the valve from my dealer so it came from mtd (Troy bilt) I now realize I could have saved a bunch of money if I would have bought it thru northern hydraulics. The 16 gpm pump from mtd is $440 I bought the valve from my dealer because I wanted to make sure it fit up correctly.

Tx Jim · Oct 4, 2013

Pressure needs to be checked with a gauge. Will splitter split hard wood?

muddstopper · Oct 4, 2013

You can save a ton of money buying the pump from Northern tool as well. You can also find a 16gpm 2stage pump at tractor supply or surplus center for a fraction of the $440 price tag your dealer is quoteing. I bought a 28gpm pump from Spliteze for $195. Hydraulic log splitter 2 stage pump

Leejohn · Oct 5, 2013

There is 2 settings that have to be set, retract detent pressure relief and the main relief. The detent kickout pressure can be set to kickout when you want it to kickout, I would only ajust that after you get full psi.and set. But if it seems to be pumping good with little pressure I would check what wdchyd said about the piston and pump.