3 pt. hitch log splitter isn't working properly/Handle stays in forward position

[pd444]

Oh what a learning experience this is turning out to be.

Splitter:
(Content Page) is 3-point hitch splitter running of tractor hydraulics. Have used it with the same tractor for 7 years with no problems. When hydraulics are connected to the front-end loader it all works fine so I've ruled out the tractor as the problem.

Problem:
As soon as I engage the tractor hydraulics, the splitter handle jumps to the Forward position and stays there. The piston travels about 6" and stops. We did this enough times that eventually the piston was out about 2.5'. The handle is difficult to move to the Neutral or Retract position, the piston does nothing when you do, and it just pops back to the forward position.

What we've done so far:
By suggestion, replaced the o-rings on the valve. No success.

By suggestion, checked the pressure setting under the outlet port. When we opened the 5/8" cover there was hydraulic fluid covering the set screw. went ahead and removed the set screw and checked that the ball and spring were in tact and replaced the set screw to it's original setting plus a little extra. No success.

We took the valve off the splitter to check for blockage in any of the ports and hoses and there doesn't seem to be any, though I will be a bit more thorough inspecting the hoses if that's recommended.

Once the valve was off we wanted to get the piston back in rather than leave it exposed. It was Very difficult to push it back in. We even used a come-a-long to get it all the way retracted. Naturally, hydraulic fluid came out from the appropriate orifice so there's now very little fluid in the housing.

Questions:
Any idea what the problem might be?
When we were accessing the pressure setting set screw, should there have been fluid covering the set screw?
Should the piston have been that difficult to manually retract?
How do I go about adding hydraulic fluid to the housing, hoses, splitter before I use it?

Thanks for any and all help!

 

[Soundguy]

Got another valve to test with? Loader valve maybee?

 

[pd444]

I don't.

 

[LD1]

The splitter valve should be an open center valve. Meaning with that valve in neutral, and you turn on the tractor hydraulics, Nothing should happen at the splitter. Oil should simply flow through the valve and return to the tractor.

How are the hoses connected on the tractor side? Remote ports? PB off a loader valve?

It sounds as though you are getting pressure to the splitter, but something not allowing it to return to the tractor. Either a blockage in the valve, or hose or something. But like I said, with splitter valve in neutral, it should act as if the valve wasnt there and the hoses were just connected together.

Main thing I think we need to know to help further, is knowing just how you have tapped into the tractor.

 

[pd444]

LD1- Check on everything you say. That's how the splitter has behaved for 7 years until I fired it up for the first time this year.

Hoses from the splitter go into the two ports that would raise and lower the front-end loader. The FEL control lever is then strapped in the "raise" position. This feeds the valve on the splitter, enabling the splitter handle to choose what the splitter piston is going to do. I know you know that, just wanted you to understand that I do.

On both splitter hoses, I can depress the nipple and fluid runs out, as would be expected. If I connect just one hose to the tractor and engage the tractor hydraulics, the nipple of the disconnected hose becomes tight, as would be expected. Tried that with both hoses. If there were blockage in the hose, I would think all that wouldn't be possible.

 

[LD1]

Ok. So basically you are using the loader lift ports as the supply and return to the splitter.

Assuming you have double and triple checked to make sure you didnt get the hoses crossed? Meaning that whatever port on the loader valve is supplying fluid out when you strap the lever is connected to the IN port on the valve? With QD's and long hoses, I could see it being easy to mix them up.

Have you air tested the valve on the splitter. Take both hoses off (supply and return) and blow air through the supply and make sure it comes out the return?

Dont rule out the hoses. Could still have a bad QD on the splitter hoses. Loader will work fine cause I assume it has its own hose and QD.

With the logsplitter valve being an open center valve, without moving the lever oil should just pass straight though. The cylinder shouldnt move without moving that lever. So you either have a bad valve with something messed up inside, or you are blocking the return path and the oil is finding somewhere else to go.

You mentioned that the valve lever was stiff and hard to operate....was that only with fluid on it? or is it stiff with nothing hooked up?

 

[pd444]

Even quadruple checked that the hoses are correct.
Have not air tested the valve on the splitter. Will do that soon.
Valve lever was only stiff when it was engaged with the tractor. Once I let off the hydraulics on the tractor and released the pressure- the handle behaved as it should.

I know what the detent is supposed to do, I just don't quite understand how it does it. If the detent is bad, could that cause this problem?
Also, should the ram have been so difficult to manually retract that we had to put a come-a-long on it?

Thanks to everyone.

 

[LD1]

Detent would have nothing to do with it and you are best to not tear it apart if you have never done so. The detent is outside of the hydraulics. Just a groove cut in the spool, and some little ball bearings that capture the spool to hold it in position. Nothing to do with hydraulic flow.

Hydraulic rams are very difficult to move. Lots of tight seals providing resistance, plus pushing the fluid around.

Its all one can do to move a little 1.5" ram on a snow plow cylinder, let alone a log splitter cylinder. So that I'd check off as normal.

I'm still sticking with what I said earlier. Either a bad valve with something seriously wrong inside, or a blocked return. IF the return is blocked, the fluid aint got now where to go and can lock things up as you describe. Again, it should just be an open passage from inlet to return on that valve. No different than putting a coupling between the hoses. It should NOT make the valve stiff to move unless something else is wrong (bad valve or no place for fluid to return.

One thing you could try to rule out the return hose, QC, and tractor side...

Couple the two hoses together with a TEE, and put a gauge in the third port. Should read next to nothing for pressure as it is just looping through. If you have an issue with the return hose or QC, the gauge will read high pressure.

 

[roadhunter]

Build a little inline pressure gauge with a tee and a male and female QC fitting. Install that on the return line and engage the valve to see if there is backpressure on the return line. I've done similar with hydraulic issues in the past and its sure is nice to know the return pressure before you tear into anything.

 

[pd444]

LD1 and roadhunter, Thanks for the tip. Going to assemble the stuff and try your suggestion. It might be after the weekend before I can get to it, but I'll report back.