Log splitter retract distance?

[jthaxter]

I have a 27 ton log splitter that handles 24" wood. Thing is, I do 16"-18" wood. If I let the piston retract all the way while I fetch the next billet I then have to wait for the piston to extend that empty 6 or 8 inches. Is there a way to stop the piston at an intermediate distance? I did drop a spacer in behind the wedge and the piston stops retracting when it hits it, probably due to some pressure limit. But is that a good thing to do? Is there some other way to affect the retract distance?

 

[J_J]

The cyl will keep retracting until it builds up to the kick off pressure, so the wedge thing is probably the best, as the pressure will build up to pop the lever to neutral.

 

[crash325]

I have a 27 ton log splitter that handles 24" wood. Thing is, I do 16"-18" wood. If I let the piston retract all the way while I fetch the next billet I then have to wait for the piston to extend that empty 6 or 8 inches. Is there a way to stop the piston at an intermediate distance? I did drop a spacer in behind the wedge and the piston stops retracting when it hits it, probably due to some pressure limit. But is that a good thing to do? Is there some other way to affect the retract distance?

Put your spacer on the other side. Let the cylinder go all the way home.

 

[jthaxter]

Well duh, that's an idea. That should work fine while I have the splitter horizontal - I can get someone to make up a metal spacer that rests against the foot. Thanks.

 

[J_J]

And if you forget the spacer is there then what.

 

[jthaxter]

The only thing is that I will need to extend the log catcher frame toward the cylinder, since it is placed to catch wood at the foot. As I move up the splitting point the wood can fall onto the engine.

 

[Leejohn]

Is there anyway you can make a bracket or arm that when it comes back that it well trip the hyd lever to center?

 

[J_J]

The kickback to neutral works off of pressure, abut 1200 psi

Just add a sleeve or block to the back of the pusher to keep the stroke to about 18 in, and the lever will kickback to neutral when the kickback pressure is achieved.

You guys are working too hard at this.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

Like JJ says. The hydraulic system sees the same thing at the end of the return stroke as it does when it hits a spacer.
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[mccash40]

You could hire my granddaughter. She is trained to flip the lever at 18". (a white paint mark.) She works for a few dollars and candy, with a soft ice cream thrown in on hot days. :thumbsup:

 

[jthaxter]

Haha. Best solution so far! I have looked at all the options for spacers and don't like any of them, since they either involve something around the piston or a block that puts force on just one side of the wedge. I think I am going to go with an adjustable arm that flips back the hand lever - just started on it. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[Todd727]

Not sure what you don't like about restricting the retract stroke. I have several implements that don't retract the cylinder the full stroke before hitting a stop and tripping the detent. Think transport wheels on a disc. The wheel frame meets the disc frame before the cylinder is fully retracted. I think you are making it way, way to hard and you are going to construct a lever or arm which will get in the way and increase the chance of entanglement or injury if it pops loose and swings into you.

Those cylinder clamps are a simple solution and your best bet. Tried and true.

 

[jthaxter]

Well, I fashioned a retract limiter out of some scrap stuff. Here's the splitter with the adjustable retract arm -

About all you really see here are the two extended wings to form a bigger table for the wood. But the retract limiter is there -

It consists of a length of rod whose position is adjustable via a thumbscrew. As the wedge returns the rod pushes against the bottom of the arm. The arm rotates and flips the lever back. Here are a couple more pictures.

So now I can split my 16" and 18" wood, and switch down to 12" for my neighbor's kitchen stove. When I get into some birch or smaller tops I cut it to 12" for his supply. Works fine. The other nice thing is that the arm can be pivoted horizontally, the rod will miss it, and the piston will retract fully for storage.

 

[Leejohn]

I new it would work, been thinking about the same thing for years on mine. That's why I even said anything in my 1st post.