Wood splitter auto cycle

firewoodman · Jan 20, 2005

Beenthere's reply asking if you were looking for "no hands" pretty much speaks for me. Hope you work alone when using something like this. Time is much cheaper than the alternative when doing this type of work. Sorry to sound like this, but I cut and split a lot and it's always safety first. Keith

gav64 · Jan 20, 2005

This is not a reply to any one post but in general, the auto cycle valve I have has two levers you put the log on the splitter and pull both forward when the ram completes its split one lever returns to neutral the the ram retracts when it completes its retraction the other lever springs to neutral. I can still manually move the ram in and out with the front lever. Realistically if you have a valve that has only auto return and you slip you could get crushed by the retracting ram! The toys we big boys play with are inherently dangerous, splitters,chippers, chainsaws, table saws, skid steers, tractors the list goes on an on we all could get killed or maimed by them, we could also get killed walking in the woods when a standing dead tree falls. I do not believe we would be better off without these "dangerous tools" proper training, common sense, being aware of your surroundings and knowing your limitations are the most important. Now getting back to the subject "Auto cycle Valves" yes they do make a splitter a little more dangerous, when i use my splitter i work alone that way if i get hurt it's my fault, not someone elses and not the governments i concentrate better when i work alone. I keep the work area clear of split logs so i dont trip into the splitter and i TAKE MY TIME, i can because my autocycle valve saves me time. One "safe" features of the auto cycle valve is that you can back away from the splitter when it is doing it's thing I am sure we all have scars on our legs from those tough splits when the log goes in all different directions. Best of luck and work safely. glenn

drzmatt · Jan 20, 2005

Glenn could you post a picture of how the valves are plumbed. I don't know why everyone is so afraid of a wood splitter. In my own opinion I would feel much safer splitting wood by myself with a splitter with auto cycle than to split wood with someone else running the lever on a conventional splitter. In an earlier post that talked about nearly cutting off a hand that was a two man operation. You can't even blame that on auto cycle. Everyone's concern is wasted on me, I want auto cycle on my splitter, I don't care how many hands, fingers and feet that it has amputated. I just want to know how to install it.

ronjhall · Jan 20, 2005

Check out Timber wolf's site. They have manuals for their splitters in pdf format. I did not see any schematics but there are some good photos of their dual valves.

gav64 · Jan 20, 2005

drzmatt,
try the prince hydraulic website, go to valves, then rd5000 auto cycle valve and print out manual, 6 pages, it gives a great schematic which will be clearer than a photo. it's the exact manual packaged with the valve. Make sure to get power beyond in case you want to add wedge adjust or lift in the future. glenn.

ronjhall · Jan 20, 2005

glenn
Your right. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Prince Hydraulics has a lot more information than a picture.

rswyan · Jan 20, 2005

( You are not stating the Auto Cycle correctly.

The below quote is from a post you made back last summer. It is not the same thing that you are recommending and using on your splitter. )

Ron,

I fully understand that the valve I proposed is not a true Auto-Cycle like Timberwolf offers - and thought that that would be apparent from the several posts I made. I tried to point out the differences and the similarites. And actually my post from last summer is slightly incorrect - I should have said:

I see they use two separate spools to to do it - one apparently for the split, and another for the return stoke.

The second double spool valve in the Timberwolf manual is for hydraulic log lift and hydraulic wedge lift.

ronjhall · Jan 20, 2005

I guess I get too concerned about fellow TBNer's safety.
Your system will work. But it does not have the built in safety that Timber wolf has with their 2 spool design. Below is a copy of the explanation of how to operate their auto cycle.

The auto-cycle hydraulic control valve frees you to get
the next log ready while one is being split.
Hold down the two auto-cycle valve handles to start
the push block forward.
Release valve handles as log begins to split.
Cylinder automatically completes forward and return
strokes, leaving push block set for next cycle.
Forward and return valve handles pop up separately at
end of forward and return strokes.

From the description above both handles have to be held until log starts splitting. Then splitter will continue its auto cycle.

JimR · Jan 20, 2005

Ron, that sounds like a pressure type system. It has to have pressure to lock in? Sounds like a safety feature.

rswyan · Jan 21, 2005

( I guess I get too concerned about fellow TBNer's safety. )

I can't speak for anyone else, but I certainly appreciate any concern you might have for my safety /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

( Your system will work. )

Yes, I know it will - afterall it is a Prince LS3010-2 logsplitter valve. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

( But it does not have the built in safety that Timber wolf has with their 2 spool design. Below is a copy of the explanation of how to operate their auto cycle. )

Not to beat this subject to death but I'm a little unclear as to how the Timberwolf auto-cycle is "safer" than what I have.

( From the description above both handles have to be held until log starts splitting. Then splitter will continue its auto cycle. )

I'd be willing to bet that the one can activate spool which controls cylinder extension and put it into detent without doing anything with the other spool - net result would be that the cylinder would just not auto retract when it completed it's travel.