22 Ton log splitter "issues"

[Code54]

We bought a Husky 22 ton log splitter with a briggs 6.75 tq motor on it several years ago at TSC. When I bought it they sold it for ｽ price since someone bought it, took it home and it wouldn't run right and brought it back. It went to a small engine shop and was "fixed."
I didn't use it right away (middle of summer) and when I went to use it I noticed it ran poorly. Always surging and hard to start. Had to keep hitting the primer bulb over and over to keep it running until it was warm and even then never ran smooth. Figure I would take it in under warranty but then we couldn't locate the receipt (later found it was used as a book mark -oops)
Well I lived with it for another year and am getting tired of messing with it. Threw a new carb on it, new primer bulb, plug, etc. Checked all the lines, new gaskets, etc. Still did the exact same thing.
Wife said, go get a new engine and be done with it as it is not worth the time.
Harbor Freight has the Predator motors and the one is a direct replacement. (Had one of their motors as a replacement on a chipper and another one on my plate compactor and they both work great!) Stopped today and bought it ($120) and put it on this evening. No issues and was done in an hour. Went and started it and it started surging....
Have to VERY slowly bring the RPMs up so it won't stall and even when running full bore it surges and seems to hunt. If the the wedge hits the stop going forward it stalls it out.
What does this mean? I am thinking I have a hydraulic issue maybe? Or did I just get a bad motor (seems like 1 in a million to have similar issues as the one I took off)
Any ideas how I can test things?

 

[Sonny580]

Something in your pump/valve is not opening/closing right.--could be check valve sticking, relief valve set wrong. thanks; sonny580

 

[Code54]

Thanks - I am pretty dumb on this one - any idea how to check it (or find it)

 

[oosik]

I had a 28 ton Didier splitter about 30 years ago. After about three years it started doing same as yours. It was the needle and float in the carb. Not opening correctly - for whatever reason. Replaced and it worked great.

 

[eddie48]

Surging is almost always a result of fuel starvation. It usually happens because of debris or some sort of buildup of junk in the main jet in the carb. Does your engine have adjustment screws? If so, open them up about 1/8 turn and try again. If not, you need to have the carb cleaned, being sure to run a small dia. wire through every fuel hole you can find, as part of the cleaning process.

 

[s219]

Did you run the new motor before installing it? If these are indeed hydraulic issues as suggested by Sonny, you could try loosening up and sliding back the coupler halves so they no longer mesh and you can remove the rubber spider, snug down the set screws so the coupler halves stay put on their shafts, then start and run the motor so that it's no longer turning the pump and hydraulics. You won't be able to put a load on the motor, but if it runs OK at all RPMs then it would seem to confirm that the problem is on the hydraulic side. Maybe the filter is clogged, maybe pump is bad, maybe there is a blockage, etc.... If the engine struggles/hunts even when the valve is centered, then to me that suggests filter, pump, blockage in lines.

 

[s219]

Also, since these units are assembled at the store, double check that the hydraulic lines are connected to the right places and in the right order. I have seen some pretty sloppy assembly work done at these big box stores.

 

[Code54]

Thanks - I did not run test the engine before installing but can separate the coupler fairly easily. Seeing the motor is brand new and I put new gas in the tank I would be surprised if the carb was clogged. Since it is doing the exact same thing as the old engine made me start thinking something in the hydro system somewhere, just not sure where.
I am going to try and separate the motor/hydro tonight if I have time and will report my results....

 

[EddieWalker]

Surging is almost always a result of fuel starvation. It usually happens because of debris or some sort of buildup of junk in the main jet in the carb. Does your engine have adjustment screws? If so, open them up about 1/8 turn and try again. If not, you need to have the carb cleaned, being sure to run a small dia. wire through every fuel hole you can find, as part of the cleaning process.

Same problem with two different engines means the problem is not with the engines. I would remove the fuel line and install a new line going to a clean source of fuel. Maybe a funnel with a fuel line and see if that solves the problem.

 

[Code54]

Thanks Eddie - Sorry should have mentioned that each motor had its own tank/fuel system. (Totally self contained)
When I pull the motor should i be able to turn the pump by hand?