Leaking Valve on Log Splitter

[mntnvew]

I have a 3pt log splitter, a speeco, that I have had about 2 weeks. Yesterday afternoon I was using it and the lever got stuck, so I turned off the tractor and disconnected the hyd. hoses and then attempted to move the lever from the stuck position, it moved but all of a sudden hyd. fluid started to leak out of the "spring cap for valve" (quoted from the manual's parts list). If you go here you can see what I mean:
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp140/mntnvew/tractor/splitter-hyd.gif

What do I need to do to repair? Anyone have any ideas? There are two small allen bolts holding the cap on. In the essence of not losing any parts, do I need to order a new part to fix this (rubber washer or something???).

Any ideas, I just dont want to take it apart only to find out I made it worse.

ANY insight is greatly appreciated!!!

PS - Does any one know WHY this occurred? My tractors hyd information is as follows:
Hydraulics:
Type: open
Capacity: 5.4 gal [20 L]
Total flow: -unknown-
Valve flow: 11.7 gpm [44.3 lpm]
Pressure: -unknown-
Valves: 2

The pressure is UNKNOWN, the log splitter manual says the max pressure rating is 3200 PSI, could it be that my tractor is putting out more PSI then the max allowed? Could that have caused this?

Is there any contraption out there that will measure the PSI my hyd is putting out to see if it exceeds 3200 PSI? (Not to mention it would be nice to know!)

Thanks!

 

[Farmerford]

Quick, wild guess: the o-ring sealing the spool to the valve body got damaged and caused the spool to stick. When you forced the spool back to center you finished destroying the o-ring, and now it leaks. That should be easy to fix: remove the spool and get a replacement o-ring. Most any hydraulic shop will have them.

Why did it happen? Perhaps the valve is defective. But it could have been damaged by excessive exhaust circuit pressure. To know for sure, tell us more about how the hydraulics are set up.

 

[kennyd]

It's not any problem with pressure-I'd bet the valve is just bad. There are usually no O-rings or any other seals in these small valves-so repair is probably unlikely.

Is this a new unit? If so contact Speeco and make them send you a new valve.


As far as how to measure your systems pressure-you can get a 0-3000 PSI gauge for less than $20.00.

 

[mntnvew]

Thanks, I will contact them as the unit is brand new. The schematic drawing doesnt show any seals or o-rings so I assume your assumption is accurate that this small valve doesnt have any.

 

[mntnvew]

Thanks, I will contact them as the unit is brand new. The schematic drawing doesnt show any seals or o-rings so I assume your assumption is accurate that this small valve doesnt have any.

Called Speeco and they are going to send out a new ring kit, so it appears that the schematic is not 100% - gotta love that.

Although they offered to pay labor to get the valve repaired so that was good, since they should, but we all know how corporations are nowadays, offload onto the consumer as often as possible!

 

[Oleozz]

I just hooked up my Speeco 3pt splitter this morning, the valve looks like a cheapo. Mine sticks on the return cycle, hopefully it will loosen up after using it.
After two weeks use how do you like your splitter? (Other than the valve)

 

[mntnvew]

It splits good. The valve is the biggest issue, obviously. I wish it had a 4 way attachment, and it might I havent checked the web or asked. Other then that it is great.

I am hoping I can personally change out the ring set they are UPS'ing me as to avoid having to find a tractor/hyd/small engine shop in my area. Speeco doesnt have many MT dealers that they work with. They were going to just pay the shop directly I think but I wanted to learn and all that bs

 

[J_J]

I just hooked up my Speeco 3pt splitter this morning, the valve looks like a cheapo. Mine sticks on the return cycle, hopefully it will loosen up after using it.
After two weeks use how do you like your splitter? (Other than the valve)

You do know that the log splitter valve has a spring detent on the return stroke. It stops the cylinder when it get to the end.

 

[Oleozz]

You do know that the log splitter valve has a spring detent on the return stroke. It stops the cylinder when it get to the end.

Yes, I know that.
Do you think you will have enough splitting force for a 4 way attachment? Not sure if you are familiar with the Arborist site but lots of chain saw and splitter talk goes on . I believe some folks there mentioned that it takes a big splitter to use the 4 way effectively.

 

[mntnvew]

Yeah I used it for the first time right before it broke, used it twice to reset/tract the splitter wedge while I grabbed another log.

It was what I thought caused the breaking of the valve... FYI