NEW log splitter BX22 WOES

[copperhead1967]

I posted this in the Hydro section also.


I just purchased a 3PH mounted log splitter, when I hooked it up to my BX22 it loads the rest of the hydro system down. I put in fluid, bled the lines by cycling the loader, 3PH and finally the splitter cylinder. The first time it moved at a moderate pace. Now it crawls at a snails pace. The FEL control valve makes a whining sound and the FEL functions erraticly. The 3PH won't move up . I took off the splitter lines and hooked the tractor back into itself. Everything worked great. I have 1/4 inch hoses on my tractor and the splitter is plumbed with 1/2 inch lines. I picked up a handful of fitting and bushing with the help of the guy at the local shop got everything together. Could a bad quick connect be the problem? It seems like a flow problem in the splitter. The splitter is rated at the flow rate for my tractor. Any ides where to start?

 

[Volfandt]

A couple culprits may be mess'n up the works.
1) You must be using the BH connection, are the connectors to the splitter valve clearly marked "in" & "out"? If not you may try reversing the connections to the splitter valve.
I'm not sure which connector on the BX22 is "in" & "out" but I suspect the female connector is the power out and the male is the power return.
2) the splitter valve may not be a power beyond type, i.e. it isn't routing hydraulic power through the valve block back to the tractor when the valve(s) are in neutral. Since the hydraulics are in series, a restriction in one effects them all.
3) there may be a restriction in your connections.

Good luck

 

[copperhead1967]

Volfant,
I swapped the lines around already and it reversed the operation. The valve has a forward, nuetral and return position. I plumbed a 2000 PSI guage on the IN side of the splitter valve with a T fitting. it shows no pressure when open(forward), and holds at about 1600 psi when fully retracted. This was the first few cycles. Now the reading is around 1000psi when retracted.
I'm thinking a bad coupler. I'll take some pix of the set up and the valve. I'm also going to contact the manufacturer to see if they have any ideas. Seems they wouldn't make a splitter without the right type of valve.
here's the link
Ramsplitter Log Splitter Model 3PT Attachment, the Toughest Log Splitter on the Market

 

[DiezNutz]

I'm thinking a bad coupler. I'm thinking the same.

I'm also going to contact the manufacturer to see if they have any ideas. I would've done that first (?)

Seems they wouldn't make a splitter without the right type of valve.
I agree, after looking at the website these splitters are pretty application-specific. Nice looking unit, btw.

It always cracks me up to see "Add to Cart" on things like this. #1, as if it would fit in any mass-produced shopping cart known to man, and #2 not exactly an "impulse buy" akin to batteries or chapstick

 

[copperhead1967]

Just thought I'd run it by the folks here first
Don't think the manufacturer would have anyone answering phones after 11PM when I got done messing with the tractor.
Hopefully the unit will work as good as it looks when I get the bugs worked out. It will be nice to cut the logs, split them, load them out and stack all in one day!
I'm going to look into some more when I get home from work. I'll try to call the manufacturer today if I get a chance, I'm thinking they have had to answer this one before possibly.

 

[Scrounger]

This might be a general flow issue in that the BX flow rate is not high enough to run a splitter at a good pace. I've had one on my BX2230 and it would never run at a pace equal to that of a cheapo one from TSC with a 5hp engine on it.

 

[MikePA]

I posted this in the Hydro section also.

Just a reminder, please do not doublepost. It forces you to watch 2 threads and people to reply in 2 threads. The thread in the Hydro section has been closed.

 

[bucmeister]

Not familiar with the Kubota system, but could it have something to do with a closed system versus an open system? Which would steer you back to which type of valve would go on the splitter.

 

[copperhead1967]

Sorry about the double posting. Was kind of helpful though

I going to take the input line and output line off the splitter valve and connect them together, pretty much as suggested prior. This will check all my plumbing work and eliminate it down to the 4way and the cylinder itself.
I think that it was functioning ok as I was priming it up with the fluid, then it got wacky. I'm thinking some junk got pushed around in the hoses and is restricting the flow.

 

[cp1969]

This might be a general flow issue in that the BX flow rate is not high enough to run a splitter at a good pace. I've had one on my BX2230 and it would never run at a pace equal to that of a cheapo one from TSC with a 5hp engine on it.

That's because the cheapo log splitter uses a two stage pump. Tractor doesn't have that. Most of the travel of a log splitter ram can be handled by the low-pressure, high-volume side of the two stage pump.

Some things are meant for each other:

Log splitters and two stage hydraulic pumps

Bird dogs and shotguns

Pancakes and syrup

Bill and Hillary

 

[RonMar]

That's because the cheapo log splitter uses a two stage pump. Tractor doesn't have that. Most of the travel of a log splitter ram can be handled by the low-pressure, high-volume side of the two stage pump.

I agree that it might not operate very fast on system flow, but it should operate normally without the other symptoms of restriction he is describing(loader safety squealing, 3PH not functioning)...


Bill and Hillary... You crack me up

 

[DiezNutz]

It will still build enough pressure to perform its duties, lower flow rate would simply make it perform them more slowly. You didn't say which model you had, the 12-ton model is made for tractors < 7 gpm, which your BX is.

 

[Shantycoke]

Hi Copperhead,
I had a BX2230 with a log splitter plumbed to it. The smaller Kubotas have a smaller hyd pump which I believe is 4.5 gpm. Mine ran really slow, but it had the power to split anything on it. You may have to take the manual for the splitter to the Kubota dealer, and they will help you figure which is the pressure and return line on your tractor, and the manual for the splitter will tell you which line is which from the splitter. You need to be sure to have Kubota fittings on your lines, too.
Also, you may have to lock out the control valve for the FEL. You should have a switch right on top of your valve with two pictures of a lock, one open and one closed. Move the toggle to the closed picture the take power away from the FEL, this should help with the whining. My B7800 runs the splitter with a lot more umph because it has a bigger pump, but the BX also ran it fine, just slow.

 

[DiezNutz]

Also, you may have to lock out the control valve for the FEL. You should have a switch right on top of your valve with two pictures of a lock, one open and one closed. Move the toggle to the closed picture the take power away from the FEL, this should help with the whining

The lock doesn't do anything more than lock the linkage between the joystick and valves... it doesn't touch the actual hydraulic loop.

 

[copperhead1967]

ok, where to start...
I removed the FEL thus eliminating the FEL valve. The BX just loops back into itself for those not enlightened.
I did use aftermarket quick connects, on a earlier trip to the Kubota dealer I found my original fittings are no longer used on the BX tractors. Verifed by part number sub/replacement in kubota parts list. I used fitting from a local shop.
Before my first post I got the splitter to run for an hour, decided it was time to stack some and let the tractor take a break. When I fired it back up to finish off a few splits it was back to same, no 3ph control no splitter control.
I took the inline and outline off the splitter valve, coupled them together. Still the same.
OK I got a bad coupling???
I switched the couplers out on the splitter side of the hoses, no go.
The couplers on the tractor end work fine when you connect the tractor to itself. In fact those where the fittings I switched the spliitter ones with. Again the tractor still works when looped to itself, no go on the splitter.

I'm thinking something with the tractor itsself. Could a patially clogged Hydro filter or screen cause this by some kind of back pressure?
Of course there is always a problem with the Hydro itself.
I read alot about setting the pressure on the hydro in other post,
I plumbed a guage on the input side mostly to monitor what the splitter was doing to the tractor. When the splitter did work it read 1650 psi at max load. I don't know if this a acurate reading of the hydro setting where the guage is placed. I know the BX22 should read 1850 at optimum. So if it is a acurate reading I'm running about 200 Psi down.
I also thought about trying to hook into the FEL loop now that its available. Would this make a difference?
Sorry this is long winded but trying to throw it all out here, maybe something will ring a bell.

 

[copperhead1967]

Quick update, I bought longer sections of hose and now run the splitter off the FEL quick couplings. Don't know why the BH loop is acting goofy but winters coming and I got wood that needs split. I'm in the process of duing the Hydro fluid change and completed the engine oil change. The hydro screen was surpisingly clean compared to past changes. I'm adjusting the hydro relief now that I got a guage to check the pressure with. I'm getting a reading of 1650. I have the shims and will adjust the relief to 1850, would be interesting if all my troubles with the splitter clear up then.

 

[Ob1kubota]

Some things are meant for each other:

Log splitters and two stage hydraulic pumps

Bird dogs and shotguns

Pancakes and syrup

Bill and Hillary

Too Funny!