Ford 1900 and 3 point log splitter - weak pressure from remote line

[claimsman]

I have a ford 1900, 4wd with ford FEL with 1100 hours. Recent fluid change and filter cleaning didn't change performance and the tractor has been working well, consistently for the past 2 years. Great tractor for size and price. This weekend we bought, assembled and installed a powerhorse 20 ton 3 pt 2 way (splits both directions) log splitter. The tractor has a remote hydraulic block (looks stock) with a lever and remote hydraulic points near the 3 point hitch. The log splitter has 1/2 inch hyd lines and the remote lines are 3/8 inch. I used an reducer to put mate 1/2 inch fittings to 3/8 lines and it all hooked up perfect. 3 point works well, FEL works well. I used a bungee to hold open the remote hydraulic lever (tried both directions). After getting the air out of the lines, and adding about 1/2 gallon of additional fluid to the well, the splitter was moving well back and forth. I threw a whopping 10 inch pine log on and the splitter stopped when it hit the wood. It moves back and forth ok, but doesn't have the pressure to split the wood. The 1900 generates over 8 gpm and the log splitter works well (according to reviews) at that level (up to 11 max). Can someone help me with a diagnosis process...do I need to bypass remote or what else could be issue. As always, thanks very much for your help.

 

[J_J]

You need to check the relief pressure on the log splitter valve.

Check the relief pressure on the remote valve.

You might also re seat the QD's,

 

[claimsman]

JJ, thanks for the help, do you have a particular pressure guage type i should use (inline or remote end)? I'm new to hydraulics as I've never owned a remote attachment before, thanks very much. chuck

 

[J_J]

Here are some test sets made by TBN members.

Liquid filled 3000 psi gages.

About $30.

 

[claimsman]

Thanks for the responses. I attached a pressure guage on the line and all is well with pressure (same to loader which works well). my neighbor fiddled with it while I was out of town (just cycled it back and forth about 25 times according to him and added another gallon of fluid) and it will now split anything in one direction, but only small logs in the return direction. The reviews all dispell this as a common problem so I'm now wondering if the the remote valve I'm keeping open should be bypassed. Is there a way to adjust the remote block to allow free flow in both directions vs manually holding the remote valve open. I confirmed it is a stock ford remote block which was available on the vehicle as an option in the 80s.

 

[Soundguy]

if the log splitter has it's own valve, then the reverse direction poor splitting is not a tractor issue..

is the reverse direction splitting just a hair less powerfull.. ?

 

[L355SS]

I have a 4600 Ford 1982 and it has a stock single lever remote valve (under the seat) but only has useable pressure in one direction. I use it to lift the cutter head on my Haybine when mowing. If the hoses are reversed at the quick connect it will barely lift the cutter. Similar characteristics as the 3 pt hitch (no down pressure). I don't think thqat valve can be used for your application but maybe if it is held open to feed the splitter valve. Try reversing the hoses to the splitter valve.
Dennis

 

[J_J]

If you had tractor pressure at the IN port of the valve, and if the cyl seals are good, then you should be able to split in both directions.

Leave the gage on the splitter and tell us the max relief pressure by maxing ot the cyl.

Hold the lever fwd and rev, until the relief valves sounds off. Read the pressure.

Using a 4 in bore and a 2 in shaft, and 2500 psi.

EXT = 31,416 lbs = 15.7 ton
Retract = 23,562 lbs = 11.8 ton

There will be a 3.8 ton difference between extend and retract mode.

GPM's determine speed,

At say 10 GPM, 4 in cyl, 2 in shaft, 24 in stroke.

Extend time = 7.74 sec
Retract time = 5.85 sec

If the remote valve lever is full on, then it should be passing full pump fluid to the log splitter.

Need to see the pressures before I can tell you more.

The data below is only if the input lines are external. You could perhaps do this from the loader or the pump out line.

There is a way to bypass the the remote if the lines are external.

Remove the hose to the IN port of the remote and install a Male QD,

Install a female QD at the IN port of the remote valve and connect these two when using the remote.

When you use the log splitter disconnect the QD's, and plug in the log splitter hose to the male QD. You now have pump fluid bypassing the remote valve and 3pt.

Log splitter OUT fluid should go directly to tank.

 

[claimsman]

Mor than just a hair, I think it's probably 3/4 strength. In the push position, it will split anything without even slowing at contact. In the other directino, you have to take smaller bites off the log and it usually hesitates for a second or two before entering the grain. Thanks for your help.

 

[claimsman]

Thanks Dennis, I hadn't thought to try that. Appreciate the help.