Log Splitter

[hogi]

I am considering buying a log splitter designed for a three point hitch, if I tied into the auxillery circuit(the one that works the quick connect) would I then need some way to lock open that valve so that I could use the valve on the log splitter?

 

[KentT]

Yes... that's an open center valve that diverts the oil back to the tank unless when the controls are in the center position.

 

[BobRip]

I am considering buying a log splitter designed for a three point hitch, if I tied into the auxillery circuit(the one that works the quick connect) would I then need some way to lock open that valve so that I could use the valve on the log splitter?

You might want to consider the PTO hydraulics to power the log splitter. The auxiliary PTO has a pretty low flow rate and the log splitter would move awful slow.

 

[ddonnell]

I'm a little confused. What is the difference between the "PTO hydraulics" and the "auxilliary PTO hydraulics"? Which one powers an attachment such as the finish mower or minihoe curl?

 

[KentT]

The PTO hydraulics powers the rotary mower, rough cut mower, etc. It has a simple toggle-switch on the dash to control a solenoid -- on/off, and nothing in between. That solenoid is in the engine compartment and there is no hydraulic flow at the front of the tractor, at all, when the switch is off.

What PowerTrac calls the Auxiliary PTO is actually the 3rd hydraulic circuit on the lift control box that is normally used for powering the Quick Attach system. That 3rd circuit is an open-center valve, and the fluid is always flowing through it, as long as the engine is running. People use this circuit to control the cylinders on the grapple bucket, 4-in-1, minihoe, etc. -- typically not to drive motors.

 

[ddonnell]

Still a little confused. Does the PTO hydraulics, i.e. the hydraulics that run rotary mowers etc. have a seperate set of hoses than the auxilliary pto hoses to the quick attach cylinder. The lever down by your right knee runs the quick attach right? Where do mower motor hoses hook to?

 

[KentT]

Yes, a totally different set of larger (i.e. higher flow) hoses. The main PTO has an 8GPM capacity on the 422/425, unless I'm mistaken. The Aux PTO likely wouldn't flow but about half that...

The control for the Aux PTO down by your knee has nothing to do with the main PTO. As I said the main PTO is controlled by an on/off toggle switch on the dash. This picture from PT's site shows both circuits in use. The smaller lines are for the Quick Attach on the Aux PTO circuit. The larger lines are the main PTO circuit controlled by that toggle switch. Both circuits have hydraulic quick-connects located about the middle of the lift arms, which is where you connect implements....

The mowers would connect with hoses to those two large hydraulic quick-connects, the same way that this stump-grinder is connected. The main PTO is not used at all for controlling implements that use hydraulic cylinders, such as minihoe or grapple bucket, since it is simply off/on...

Picture a normal CUT -- the PT's PTO functions just like theirs except it is hydraulic rather than mechanical (and on the opposite end of the tractor). The Aux PTO circuit is like a set of rear remotes on a CUT that is built in on all models except the PT-180. It's used for the Quick-Attach system, but also can be used for lots of other things as well..

 

[ddonnell]

Got it! All along I thought that the lines to the quick attach were also what you hooked into the the mower mowers etc.. You are saying that those lines are used only for auxilliary cylinders right? Thanks for the clarification.

 

[KentT]

Got it! All along I thought that the lines to the quick attach were also what you hooked into the the mower mowers etc.. You are saying that those lines are used only for auxilliary cylinders right? Thanks for the clarification.

You are correct...

I'd imagine you could power a small hydraulic motor through the Aux PTO circuit, but (a) it would have to be small because of the limited flow, and (b) you'd have to control it with that lever down by your knee.

For the log-splitter application being discussed here, it would be better to use a separate open-center valve on the log-splitter (which is how they work anyway) and leave the main PTO circuit switched on and running all the time you're splitting logs. Likely you could provide sufficient power for the the log splitter from a setting just above fast idle...

I'm considering something similar for using a hydraulic winch on the front of my PT -- I'd use the Main PTO circuit and control the winch with the control valve/lever that comes on the winch...

 

[ddonnell]

Are the valves controlled by the joystick also the open-center type? Am I correct that open-center valves allow for a continuous flow of fluid to and from the pump when in the neutral position and direct fluid a certain way only when the joystick is moved appropriately?

I'm the first to admit that I am a beginner when it comes to this hydraulic stuff.