3 PH splitter questions

[atlkep1]

I am looking into getting a log splitter and am considering a 3 PH one, but have some questions that I hope I can get answered here.

I'll start by saying that I have a Kioti DK40SE with 2 factory remotes installed (running top-n-tilt with them). I also pretty much know nothing about hydraulics.

1. I am assuming that to use a 3 PH splitter, I simply disconnect one set of remotes and hook the splitter up.
2. Does it matter which line goes to which connection on the tractor?
3. I keep reading about people having to "bungee the tractor control" in some direction. Both of my controls will lock into place when pushed all the way in either direction. Is this accomplishing the same thing as the bungee?? Or will I still have to do the bungee thing??
4. If I get a used splitter, there will probably be fluid in the cylinder from the previous owner. I'm thinking that I should clear this fluid from the cylinder before hooking my tractor up to it. If that is correct, then how do I go about clearing the cylinder of the old fluid?

Thanx for your help with this,

Keith

 

[murphy1244]

1. yes

2.Use either set A or B don't matter.

3.If it locks in your good.

4. I wouldn't worry about it myself as it won't hold much.

 

[ovrszd]

I concur with Murph's answers.

Next issue would be speed. If you are a hurried type, you'll hate running your splitter off your tractor, it'll be slowwww. If you are a very patient type and got all day, go for it.

Alternative is self standing splitter or PTO pump for 3pt splitter. Both options are more expensive.

 

[/pine]

FWIW...I've flushed used cylinders by using a schrader valve necked up to fit the cylinder ports (some are SAE/ORB)...along with a bleed line...

....then (if the rod is extracted) fill the rear port with clean fluid and attach the schrader valve (finger tight is enough) and the bleed line with catch pan on the other port...then using a bicycle pump add enough air to extend the cylinder...then reverse the same with the front port...continue the process until it is bleeding clear, clean fluid...

 

[Rod in Forfar]

Murph and Ovrszd have provided good advice.

One advantage of a 3 pt hitch splitter might have to do with work height. It's pretty adjustable when the splitter is hooked to the back of a tractor, so you can match the height to what you're lifting. As well, it's easy to extricate the splitter from a random pile of split wood to move it. Occasionally I have lowered my unit to the ground in order to roll a large block onto it, but not often. On more than one occasion, however, I have suspended a series of large maple blocks from the loader (second tractor) by a logging chain wrapped around them in order to take advantage of the splitter's power. (You don't have to drive the ram in far enough to hit the chain.)

A friend tells me that with hickory he prefers his axe as it is faster than a splitter. That may well be, but for curly elm or Manitoba maple it's hard to beat hydraulic power. To stay in good form I use the splitter for hickory, as well.

 

[J_J]

I am looking into getting a log splitter and am considering a 3 PH one, but have some questions that I hope I can get answered here.

I'll start by saying that I have a Kioti DK40SE with 2 factory remotes installed (running top-n-tilt with them). I also pretty much know nothing about hydraulics.

1. I am assuming that to use a 3 PH splitter, I simply disconnect one set of remotes and hook the splitter up.
2. Does it matter which line goes to which connection on the tractor?
3. I keep reading about people having to "bungee the tractor control" in some direction. Both of my controls will lock into place when pushed all the way in either direction. Is this accomplishing the same thing as the bungee?? Or will I still have to do the bungee thing??
4. If I get a used splitter, there will probably be fluid in the cylinder from the previous owner. I'm thinking that I should clear this fluid from the cylinder before hooking my tractor up to it. If that is correct, then how do I go about clearing the cylinder of the old fluid?

Thanx for your help with this,

Keith

Hydraulics:
Valves: 1 or 2
Total flow: 16.8 gpm [63.6 lpm]

Steering probably takes about 4 GPM, so you should have enough flow for a descent splitting cycle.

If your valve has detents, use whatever lever position that will send flow to the log splitter IN port, and the return hose can use the the other work port QD or run the log splitter OUT hose to tank. No bungee required.

If you don't like the fluid in the splitter, and the cyl is retracted, then connect the IN hose and run the splitter cyl rod end into a bucket and extend the cyl, and most of the log splitter fluid will be pushed out of the cyl, and that should be good enough to start splitting. .

 

[atlkep1]

Thanx, guys!! That's the information I needed.

I will include the 3PH splitters in my search.

Keith

 

[J_J]

Once you fill the cyl, check your tractor fluid level.

 

[Mr Bitz]

There is such little fluid in cylinders that I wouldn't worry about the fluid left in there, unless it's a huge cylinder.. I have a 3pt log splitter and it works great adjusting to the right height for me is a great feature. I don't have an auxillary valve on my tractor other than the loader valve so I just ran hoses off of my existing hose out on my loader valve and ran a hose back with mail and female couplers to hook together being the system is an open center system and back to the inlet to the 3 point if that makes any sense... Whatever you do will work great..

 

[J_J]

The volume of fluid in a 4 in bore , 24 in cyl is 1.31 gal

--------------------------5 ------------------------2.04 gal

 

[Tomtint]

I used a 3pt splitter with my BX22 and it worked just fine for my needs. I guess the cycle time was 10/12 seconds. For me, and just splitting for my own personal needs it was more than adequate. It is also nice not to maintain another motor. If I were splitting for commercial purposes, I would re evaluate.

 

[ovrszd]

The volume of fluid in a 4 in bore , 24 in cyl is 1.31 gal

--------------------------5 ------------------------2.04 gal

Wow JJ, I'm amazed it's that high!!!

 

[Mr Bitz]

Wow JJ, I'm amazed it's that high!!!

Ya me too..

 

[atlkep1]

I happened to be talking to a friend while shooting some pool, who happened to mention that he had a 3 pt splitter that he wasn't using any longer. It had come with the house that he bought and he had used it for a while, but decided that he wanted a stand alone splitter, so the 3 pt was just sitting.

So, now it's sitting @ my house:cool2:

I believe that it's an old North Star or Northern Tools splitter, but I'm not absolutely sure about that.

I brought it home, hooked it up (he was running it off of a Kioti with the same hyd fluid that I was using) and split all of the pile of "too big to burn" logs that I had setting there. It's not incredibly fast, but I'm in no hurry.

Here's the specs:
Cylinder diameter 3.5
Rod diameter 1.5
Stroke 24
Pressure 2700psi
Flow 12gpm (approx, 16.8gpm total and using J_J's estimate of 4gpm for steering)

My handy-dandy calculator app says about 12 tons of pressure, which appears to be plenty, as the red oak and beech presented no problem at all.

Now, for the next question . . . .

The valve on this splitter has to be held in both directions. I would like to replace it with one that has a detent on the return stroke and then turns off when the rod has fully retracted.

I know zero about hydraulics, but feel competent enough to replace this cylinder . . . . IF I knew which cylinder I needed to get.

Can someone point me in a direction to find one of these? Is there additional information required to determine which valve will work on this splitter?

Thanx,

Keith

 

[J_J]

Here you go.

1 SPOOL PRINCE HCSVG0002/LS3000 LOG SPLITTER VALVE

Here is the auto cycle valve that will split both directions and return to neutral.. One push on both levers to start the cycle.

1 SPOOL PRINCE AUTO CYCLE LOG SPLITTER VALVE W/PB

 

[atlkep1]

Thanx, J.J.

Keith

 

[Big Jon]

I have a power horse 3pt 2 way splitter. Love it as there is no "cycle time". It is a 20 ton and so far splits anything I throw at it.