Brave log splitter problem

[mbown]

Brave 8 hp 24 ton horizontal or vertical sold in the 1990 era. orange in color. Problem is this while trying to split a log the wedge will get to the log an hardly mark the log while holding lever to extend cyl. After holding valve on extend for several seconds the thing just explodes so to speak. the split wood fly,you best not be in the way. It is very dangerous. It appears that the oil on the no pressure side of the cyl. can not get out of the cyl. Hope someone can tell me what to look for

 

[J_J]

I believe you have air in the cyl.

Bleed the air.

Hyd oil does not compress very much, but air does.

There is the possibility of the diesel effect.

 

[mbown]

I believe you have air in the cyl.

Bleed the air.

Hyd oil does not compress very much, but air does.

There is the possibility of the diesel effect.

How does air get in the system? It has never been low on oil. How does one bleed air from the system?
Thanks for the reply. mbown

 

[J_J]

To bleed air from cyl, just cycle the log splitter through about 10 times, and the air should self purge.

Suction leaks is one source, cavitation is another., and when a cyl can not suck fluid as in a spool in neutral, it might pull in air via vacuum as the cyl cools, and the volume changes.