Wood Splitter Slow

[lacamo]

I've always split wood with a maul, but this season I caved in (to my wife) and picked up a used, 30" wood splitter which runs off my tractor's (MF275) auxiliary hydraulics. It'll split anything, but, boy, is it s-l-o-w. Is this normal? I never had a problem with the tractor hydraulics...what could be malfunctioning? How can I speed things up?

Thanks for any ideas.

 

[rozett]

You probably don't have enough flow from the hydraulic pump on your tractor. Check the tractor specs and compare them to the specs (requirements) of the splitter.

 

[bczoom]

lacamo

Caved in to the wife? It was my back telling me to get a splitter. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Please tell us a little more.
What PTO RPM are you running?
Any info on the age, mfgr... splitter?

 

[lacamo]

The auxiliary pump on the tractor is rated at 10 gpm at 2300 psi. Haven't a clue as to the manufacturer of the splitter, but it isn't very large compared to new ones I've seen which, according to a dealer, the MF would have no problem driving. Since it's running just off the hydraulics, why would the PTO RPMs matter? Would turning the throttle up increase the pressure?

BTW: it was the pain in my left elbow that she was sick of hearing about.

 

[bczoom]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Since it's running just off the hydraulics, why would the PTO RPMs matter? Would turning the throttle up increase the pressure?

BTW: it was the pain in my left elbow that she was sick of hearing about. )</font>

Oops, I didn't mean to include "PTO" in the RPM question.
What RPM's are you at when running the splitter?
Not sure (since we don't have info on the splitter), but I'd think a 10 GPM should give you a cycle time in the 10-15 second range.

 

[lacamo]

I had the throttle way down, since I wasn't pulling a haybine or baler and assumed that the engine speed was independent of the pump. The cycle time is about double what you suggest.
Maybe I should try running it faster. How can I test the hydraulics? Is there a (reasonably priced) pressure gauge I can plug into the fitting?

 

[BGL990]

Yup, bump up the throttle. The engine turns the pump, the pump pumps the oil. Spin the pump faster, the oil flows faster, the cylinder moves faster.

The GPM rating of any tractor's hydraulic system is very likely specified at, or near, rated pto engine rpm, so at idle you will probably be getting something like 1/3 or 1/4 of the rated flow.

On the other hand, running slower saves some engine wear and isn't as noisy, so just pick a speed you like.
/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[lacamo]

Tomorrow I'll increase the engine speed and see how much better it is. I misinterpreted the spec for the pump which describes it as 'Constant running' --- thought it implied 'constant pressure'. Of course, all the time I've been using the auxliary hydraulics with other equipment, this never was an issue since I was running at about 1700 rpm which drives the PTO at 540.

Thanks for your help. I'll keep you posted.

 

[markie61]

I operate a TSC woodsplitter off my NH's hydraulics (rated at 10-11 gpm). I usually run about 1500rpm to get the flow going. Even then, the speed is about adequate for a one-person operation. With two working, there is some wasted time. Idle engine speed would be WAY too slow.

I read somewhere that dedicated splitters pump at about 16gpm, which accounts for the difference in speeds. However, I am satisfied with the pace at which I split wood.

Mark

 

[SPIKER]

On SOME PUMPS the pumps are standard output per revolution say 1 CU InCH or less these are the pumps which require a constant FLOW through the hydraulics and everythign will have an OPEN CENTER VALVING. there are pumps with a constant presure which VARRY the amount of FLOW PER REV. these are common on HIGH END EQUIPMENT such as aircraft and are varriable vain or walking beam or varriable plate type pumps. (pump plate will move forward as pressure increases and this plate changes the amount of movement out of each of the pistons there for the piston moves less as the pressure increases and flow goes down.)

anyhow not very many tractors have this type of system...

like others run engine faster = more flow out of the pump for normal tractor type open center constant flow pumps.

Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif