Splitter Build Begins

[165masseyky]

Auto-Cycle valve allows operator to completely cycle (out and back) a double acting cylinder by only one handle movement. It uses two spools to operate one cyl. Accessories valve is separate valve for things like log lift and wedge lift. The pump will shift speed as necessary based on pressure.

The 2 stage pump definitely has a speed advantage in the extend mode. Most people do not have wood that is always tough to split.

OK now I understand the way the valve works. Very good idea. But now I have another question about the 2 stage pump and you may have answered my question an I just can't see the forest for the trees. Does the two stage pump still work the same way in retract. Will i get 28 with no load or will I only get the 6.5 gpm that all the 2 stage pumps i have found list as stage 2 gpm?

I have got the engine now its a 16.5 BS and I have been looking at a Hadex 2 stage pump that is only $179 28/6.5.

 

[LD1]

OK now I understand the way the valve works. Very good idea. But now I have another question about the 2 stage pump and you may have answered my question an I just can't see the forest for the trees. Does the two stage pump still work the same way in retract. Will i get 28 with no load or will I only get the 6.5 gpm that all the 2 stage pumps i have found list as stage 2 gpm?

I have got the engine now its a 16.5 BS and I have been looking at a Hadex 2 stage pump that is only $179 28/6.5.

It is 28 GPM up to ~650PSI. The PSI is determined by the resistance the cylinder sees. Anything that requires more than 650PSI of force would kick it to the second stage @ 6.5GPM.

So on retract, it would be fast. On extend, it would also be fast until it needed more than 650 PSI of force. Which with a 5" cylinder, would be about 6 Tons. So if a peice of wood only takes 5 ton to split, you would never see it slow down. IF it needs more, it will slow down until the resistance is less than the 6 tons

 

[165masseyky]

The 3060 valve is designed for single stage pumps with relatively low flow rates. It adds the return fluid to the volume going to the extend side of the cylinder. They list it as boosting the speed by a factor of six times, or 4 gpm turns into 24 gpm, although how they arrive at that number escapes me.

You hold it in one position until the splitter starts to labour, then move it one notch further to eliminate the multiplying device and just get normal flow to finish the split. Return is auto kick-off at the end of stroke.

How much extra heat this valve creates is a debatable question. I've never seen one, although there's been lots of talk. If it were me, I'd talk with Prince's customer service folks and ask that question. I'll probably buy one myself in a couple years, since the hyd flow on my Kubota would make for slow splitting otherwise.

Sean

The 3060 that I just got and hooked to the 3pt splitter does make for a very nice extend stroke less than half the same time with out the 3060. But it only has that effect in extend which leaves one watching with lust in the heart for a retract as fast. On a good note how ever I noticed that if I gave the cylinder about 2 seconds in fast mode the pieces would bust 75% of the time without changing to power side an this was on a 3.5 bore x 1.5 shaft cylinder might bust all with a 4x2. I believe if the lower gpm is your only option its worth the money because any improvement beats no improvement. But if you can get a higher gpm pump I think that may be the better purchase. Or I hope so cause I am about to find out.

PS. Dear Santa please send the fine folks at Prince a new design for a fast extend/retract detent with lower gpm power side valve.

 

[CRThomas]

If I have the same Princes pump you are talking about it goes on the power take off and is set up for my 1529 MF tractor 28 hp. On idle it splits faster than I can chunk wood to it. When talking about speed what kind of set up does a person need for a 4 and 5 sec split and return I don't think 2 of us could keep up that pace very long. But what do I know. Has to be a big person to throw a 50 to 300 lb chunk every 4 to 5 sec for 6 to 7 hours a day. Woo heck of a man.

 

[jimmysisson]

As for suggestions, a log lift combined with an extension table (assuming fixed wedge design) takes lots of grunt out. I've never had a boom or winch, but picture the walk out/attach tongs/walk back/activate winch/juggle log into position/detatch tongs/swing away as being time consuming. Of course the whole time you're thinking about how it doesn't hurt your back, so there's compensation...
The log lift still requires you to roll the rounds to the lift, so you still get a workout, but the lifting is easy and the log presented to the wedge lined up. Maybe add a small sloped table on the operator side to help corral splits.
Also never had a wedge lift but it is appealing.
Jim

 

[165masseyky]

As for suggestions, a log lift combined with an extension table (assuming fixed wedge design) takes lots of grunt out. I've never had a boom or winch, but picture the walk out/attach tongs/walk back/activate winch/juggle log into position/detatch tongs/swing away as being time consuming. Of course the whole time you're thinking about how it doesn't hurt your back, so there's compensation...
The log lift still requires you to roll the rounds to the lift, so you still get a workout, but the lifting is easy and the log presented to the wedge lined up. Maybe add a small sloped table on the operator side to help corral splits.
Also never had a wedge lift but it is appealing.
Jim

That is exactly what kind of comments I am looking for. Apples to Apples comparison, pros and cons of designs and trying to figure what is the best design for a splitter. I think that the log lift would be more efficiant not to mention safer than the winch crane so that being said I think we will go with the lift. And I agree a log corral and table to catch splits is needed. I saw a video of a timberwolfe splitter with a manually operated log lift with a lever that hooked on a catch of some sort to hold it in position. Anyone familiar with that and does it work well.

 

[J_J]

I am leaning towards the 22 gpm I think the big bore cylinder will give me plenty of speed and power now that I do the math so needing a downshift pump won't me needed what do you think? Is there a difference in performance that would make you pick the two stage over the straight 22 gpm? And I have a question about the 2 spool valve you mentioned are both spools auto or only the spool for the splitter and not the acc. spool?

You were asking about the single stage 22 GPM pump.

Perhaps you don't realize that a 22 GPM single stage pump at a pressure of 3000 would need 45 HP, where as, the 22 GPM pump at 650 psi only requires about 10 HP, and if you raised the cut in pressure to 900 psi the 7 GPM at 3000 psi would need about 14 HP

The only way you could use the 22 GPM single stage pump is with a tractor with a 45 HP PTO to drive the pump at an rpm of 3600 rpm, or a stand alone 45 HP engine with the single stage pump coupled to it.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

You said that you have a trailer you're scrapping to build the splitter. You might consider leaving the springs and lights in place so that you can tow the splitter on-road easier. Others may need to chime in on this question: If a logsplitter has springs under it do you need stabilizers to take the sway out of it while it's running?

Also consider a 4-way wedge. Twice the splits in the same amount of time.

 

[CRThomas]

As for suggestions, a log lift combined with an extension table (assuming fixed wedge design) takes lots of grunt out. I've never had a boom or winch, but picture the walk out/attach tongs/walk back/activate winch/juggle log into position/detatch tongs/swing away as being time consuming. Of course the whole time you're thinking about how it doesn't hurt your back, so there's compensation...
The log lift still requires you to roll the rounds to the lift, so you still get a workout, but the lifting is easy and the log presented to the wedge lined up. Maybe add a small sloped table on the operator side to help corral splits.
Also never had a wedge lift but it is appealing.
Jim

Some of my logs go from 500 to 800 after getting them on the table split a 600 lb log you got 2 300 now the winch gets half of it out of the way get half on the table the other half on the winch chop off pieces. I have splitt two chunks loose they fill a ranger pickup truck over full. So man handling is out of the question. I have MF 1529 some of my chunks make it light with a 600 lb sputter on the back. The tractor will pickup 1100 lb guess that weight. Later

 

[J_J]

If I have the same Princes pump you are talking about it goes on the power take off and is set up for my 1529 MF tractor 28 hp. On idle it splits faster than I can chunk wood to it. When talking about speed what kind of set up does a person need for a 4 and 5 sec split and return I don't think 2 of us could keep up that pace very long. But what do I know. Has to be a big person to throw a 50 to 300 lb chunk every 4 to 5 sec for 6 to 7 hours a day. Woo heck of a man.

What is the GPM of your PTO pump, and the model #? Is it a 540 or 1000 PTO rpm speed.