Logsplitter log lift too fast

[plb739]

I built a logsplitter with a 16 hp Vanguard B&S, a 28gpm pump and a AutoCycle valve. I have a log lift plumbed from the Power Beyond port on the AutoCycle. I used 1/2" line to lift valve and came out to cyclinder with 1/4" lines. I still have too much speed on the lift. It will throw the wood. I want to be able to adjust speed when lifting without decreasing power. Lowering the lifter is not a problem. Can I use a Prince inline flow control valve at the IN Port on the lift valve, or the out port on the AutoCycle. Which size? Space and fittings are not an issue. Can I use a 1/4" valve. Does it need to control flow in both directions, as in a needle valve. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[J_J]

You could probably put a needle valve and adjust to suit, but you should have feather on your log lift valve also. You don't have to push the lever all the way.

Yes, you could also use the Prince flow control valve and regulate the GPM's to the valve, and what you don't use, will go to tank.

http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=9-7961-12&catname=hydraulic

http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=9-4169-12&catname=hydraulic

Is the log splitter valve you are using?

http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=9-7414&catname=hydraulic

 

[plb739]

Thanks for the reply. I am using a Prince AutoCycle valve with Power Beyond for the splitter ram. It works great. I came out of the PB port with a 1/2" line to a Prince 3000 valve for the log lift. I used 1/4" lines from the valve to the lift cyclinder. I can feather the valve but it really needs less speed lifting. If I get in a hurry it will fling the log. What I am considering is a Prince Inline Needle Valve like Surpluss Center's #9-7961 as on page 30 of their catalog. Either in a 1/4" or 3/8" size or a 1/2". I think I can mount it either on the IN Port of the lift valve or the PB Port of the splitter valve. I do not want to decrease the power of the lift, only the speed. I don't want to use the type of flow valve that requires a return to the tank.

 

[J_J]

So you are using two different valves for the setup? Is your log splittter valve designed for 28 GPM's?

If you are running at max rpm,you are putting out about 28 GPM through the log splitter valve and then going to the log lift. If you restrict the flow, you will affect other things in the flow path.

What I would recommend is to use the priority flow dividervalve.

Surplus Center

Look through the list and select the valve that will give your log lift the GPM's you want, The log lift will always get a certain amount of fluid, and the rest of the flow will go to tank. 3 or 4 GPM's might work for you.

The PB out flow will go to the flow divider and then the priority flow will go to the lift valve. The rest of the flow can tee with the out of the valve out hose.

 

[slowzuki]

You don't want to restrict flow in the path the 28 gpm is taking! It will just heat the fluid up. You probably want an adjustable flow divider or a much larger cylinder on the lifter. Restrictors in the 1/4" line might help your feathering abiltiy but chances are the valve just isn't a meant for feathering.

 

[J_J]

The priority divider valve will solve all that.

 

[plb739]

I am using a Prince Auto Cycle #RD 523-MMEE5A4C1 for the splitter ram. It is rated at 25 max gpm and 3000 max psi. Surplus Center # is 9-6587. The ram cyclinder is a 4" bore with 2" rod and SAE 8 ports. Cycle time is around 10 seconds. A 1/2" hose comes out of the PB port on the ram valve to the lift valve. This valve is a Prince LS3000 rated at 25 gpm and 2750 max psi. It is Surplus Center #9-1262 and both valves are on page 17 of Surplus Center catalog. I reduced the work ports down to use 1/4" hoses. I run the engine at a fast idle and have not used it a lot but have not found any thing I cannot split. I can feather the valve, however, there are going to others using the splitter. To be safe I need to make sure lift moves at slow speed. I would like to use a Inline Flow Control Valve or a Inline Needle valve mounted on the IN port of the lift valve or on one of the 1/4" hoses. These valves are $60 cheaper and I would not have to alter the return plumbing. That said I want it to work properly. My returns hoses from both valves are 1" teed together and then increased to 1-1 /4" to a 70 gpm filter. My tank is 25 gal. with a 50 gal strainer. Thanks again.

 

[SSdoxie]

You might want to try one of these one way flow restirctors.
Surplus Center
Install in line coming out of the lift valve to cylinder so it resticts flow going into cylinder to lift but leaves full flow to lower.

 

[plb739]

Thanks for the reply. These are not adjustable and I don't know if the smallest is small enough. I am looking at the #9-7960-12 [or smaller] which is an Inline Flow Control Valve by Prince and is adjustable 0-15 with 1/2" ports.

 

[plb739]

I think it would be best mounted at the IN port of the lift valve or on the work port going to the lift side of the cyclinder as SSdoxie suggests. I don't know enough about hydraulic systems to know if this is the best solution, Inline or priorty divider valve as J J and slowzuky suggest. Thanks again for replies.

 

[J_J]

A basic do nothing fix would be to drop the engine rpm to about idle whenever you want to lift a log. Most people would only use the log lift to raise heavy logs.

Another cheap way to reduce the speed would be to install a tee in the hose to the base end of the cyl. Install a high pressure ball valve or needle valve in the tee. Then run the output of the ball/needle valve to tank. Adjust the valve for the volume of fluid you want to go to the cyl.

http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=9-7960-12&catname=hydraulic

http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=9-7282-6&catname=hydraulic

 

[N8ghz]

I'd buy a Parker inline Flow control in the size of your hoses from PB to the lift valve's P port and adjust it for the speed you like.

There are lots of them on Fleabay in all NTP pipe fitting sizes.
They have a micrometer-like knob on them with numbers relating to GPM and can be locked in position with a setscrew when you get it set to your liking.

 

[J_J]

N8ghz,

If the OP keeps his engine at max, and only uses about 4 GPM's via the Parker valve of the 28 GPM for the log lift, what will happen to the rest of the 24 GPM flowing out the PB port?

You have essentially restricted both valves in series to the flow limited by the Parker flow control valve. Whenever the log splitter activates, it will receive the total flow of 28 GPM's for the time the log splitter is activated, because it is upstream or the first valve in series.

 

[N8ghz]

I don't know if he has OC or CC valve.
but in your bottom-line example, isn't that what he wants? or is he lifting while splitting?

Series Valves require tandem or open-centers. Parallel valves require closed-centers.
How does Power-beyond work thru a tandem center as 1st valve.

There has been contriversy over open-center vs. tandem-center, as used by places like Surplus Center.
Open-Center is one thing and tandem-center is another.

If the flow-control limits all....then why not put it in the Lift line, and limit only the lift speed?
He said that lift down speed is not an issue?

 

[Brad_Blazer]

Can You mechanically limit the throw of the lift valve lever? Maybe make a replacement lever that extends below the valve, and some adjustable stops down there.

 

[J_J]

His valves are open center.

The fluid going to the lift valve needs to be limited for speed, so what needs to be done is to bleed off enough fluid from the PB port to operate the lift valve at a slow rate, This can be done with a flow divider, sending a few gal to the lift valve and sending the rest of the 28 gal flow to tank, using a valve like this.

Surplus Center - 3/30 GPM PRINCE PRIORITY FLOW DIVIDER W/RELIEF

http://www.surpluscenter.com/Instruct/I9-4158-3.pdf

Control flow would go to log lift.

This valve will send 3 gal to the log lift and send 25 gal to the tank, and that will also satisfy the total 28 gal through the first valve.

If he goes full lever on the first valve, he can't use the second valve when using the first valve because the cyl uses all the fluid and then sends it to tank. If he feathers the first valve then he could use both valve at the same time, but is not practical, unless a helper is doing all the log loading.

 

[J_J]

I don't know if he has OC or CC valve.
but in your bottom-line example, isn't that what he wants? or is he lifting while splitting?

Series Valves require tandem or open-centers. Parallel valves require closed-centers.
How does Power-beyond work thru a tandem center as 1st valve.

There has been contriversy over open-center vs. tandem-center, as used by places like Surplus Center.
Open-Center is one thing and tandem-center is another.

If the flow-control limits all....then why not put it in the Lift line, and limit only the lift speed?
He said that lift down speed is not an issue?

In an OPEN CENTER valve, lever in neutral, all port are opened to tank.

In a TANDEM CENTER center valve, the work ports are closed off in neutral, and the flow passes through the valve unimpeded. Cyl will lock in place.

All fluid passing through the log splitter valve must be used by downstream valves or diverted. Hence a divider valve, or priority flow divider.

The divider valve should go in series before the log lift valve. The excess flow will go to tank and the log lift tank port should go to tank.

 

[plb739]

I greatly appreciate all the help. I think I will take JJ suggestion and tee into the base cyc line with a high pressure ball valve directing flow back to tank. This appears to be the cheapest and simplest solution and will give plenty of control. I'll let you know how it works.

 

[Redneck in training]

Can You mechanically limit the throw of the lift valve lever? Maybe make a replacement lever that extends below the valve, and some adjustable stops down there.

That is what I would try first. Put a mechanical stop on the lever travel.