Wood Splitter Ram Slams Forward

[Oldtoad]

Whoa, a guy borrowed my MTD wood splitter, brought it back said it was broke.
Replaced the pump and valve, cleaned it out, now the ram slams forward, again, Whoa, Nelly.
Time to replace the ram?

 

[4570Man]

There’s air in the cylinder.

 

[Oldtoad]

There’s air in the cylinder.

When the line is disconnected fluid flows out.
If so, how do I get the air out?

 

[WranglerX]

When the line is disconnected fluid flows out.
If so, how do I get the air out?

You could try to keep cycling it air will eventually bleed out....

Dale

 

[Oldtoad]

If the ram is pushed all the way back and the control is moved to the return position the ram surges forward.
Must be something internal is broken.
All right, posted before Dale, going to try again.

 

[ruffdog]

Put a piece of wood in it near full stroke so it has something to hit instead of slamming at the end. Keep running to full stroke and look at the oil to see if it is foaming. You might have to let the fluid sit so the air can escape. Double check your tank vent too. Does it seem like it is having to work at just moving the cylinder?

 

[4570Man]

When my splitter was doings that it was bad fluid and it was foaming up the fluid and sucking air. After a fluid change it worked fine. My splitter leaks a little and I added a different type of fluid. I’m not sure of that messed it up or if it was just old and deteriorated.

 

[Oldtoad]

Engine running, control forward, put a piece of wood near full extension, did a little compression then nothing.
Put control in neutral, pushed the ram back manually, ram will not go all the way back, maybe obstruction, vent hisses indicating vent open.
Control in reverse, engine running, ram pushes forward then when disconnect at rear end of cylinder fluid surges out while ram stays forward.
Checked tank, near capacity.
10w20 tractor hydro fluid, no foam.

 

[ericm979]

Are you sure the hoses for the valve and pump are connected to the right ports?
when I have had air in cylinders they extend slower, not slam to the end of the travel.

 

[RNeumann]

Still sounds like air......


PK-D36 How to eliminate air in hydraulic cylinder Fast edition - YouTube

 

[Barry 1]

Sounds like the nut and piston came loose and are no longer on the rod.

 

[4570Man]

Sounds like the nut and piston came loose and are no longer on the rod.

Edit, I hadn’t read post 8 when I replied the first time. I think you might be right.

 

[3Ts]

I知 not sure how you came up with I diagnosis like that but if it were true the rod wouldn稚 retract.

Engine running, control forward, put a piece of wood near full extension, did a little compression then nothing.
Put control in neutral, pushed the ram back manually, ram will not go all the way back, maybe obstruction, vent hisses indicating vent open.
Control in reverse, engine running, ram pushes forward then when disconnect at rear end of cylinder fluid surges out while ram stays forward.
Checked tank, near capacity.
10w20 tractor hydro fluid, no foam.

I thought that also from your previous post. It implies that the piston does not return under hydraulic power, that you have to push it back manually.

 

[mike48130]

I thought that also from your previous post. It implies that the piston does not return under hydraulic power, that you have to push it back manually.

Yep, nut came off or rod broke.

 

[ruffdog]

Yep, nut came off or rod broke.

agree^^ When the cyl should retract, the rod is extending. Oil is going between the disconnected piston/rod and pushing them apart.

 

[HarryVanderpool]

NOTE TO SELF:
Don't borrow,
Don't lend.

Happens every time.

 

[nyone]

I have never seen a broken ram on a log splitter. Usualy the engine bogs and shuts off before that kind of dammage happens. I would take the cylinder appart to see if the nut came loose. If it didnt i would be looking for some money on the repair from said borrower.

 

[markmc60]

Sounds like the nut and piston came loose and are no longer on the rod.

I'm going with Barry. I think he nailed it, makes sense.

 

[wdchyd]

I'm going with Barry. I think he nailed it, makes sense.

Yep......

 

[Oldtoad]

The Envelope Please

Well, some of you guys were correct.
There were enough conflicting indicators the mechanic had to understand, we agreed, take the ram apart.
The ram was taken apart. The nut came off of the shaft, what a mess. That is where the metal in the filter came from. Probably could be rebuilt.
However, purchased a new 5" x 24" ram for $170.
All this for some split wood.