Need help with Hydro on wood spliter

[dlabrie]

Hi all,
I have a wood splitter that is probably 25 years old. I have had it for the last 23 years. In that time, I have replaced the original motor and replaced the Lovejoy couplings 2 or 3 times. I have split over 300 cord of wood in that time. It isn稚 fast but it has been strong and reliable.
I believe I am having a problem with the hydraulics. I don稚 know much about hydraulics so I am kind of stumped as to what to do.
Here痴 what is happening,
The ram lost power and can no longer split the wood. When it was straining to split, I could hear a kind of grinding noise, but because of the noise of the motor I couldn稚 tell where it was coming from, A or B. (I am not sure of the name of the parts so I labeled them A, B and C. in the pict.) While straining to split, some smoke started to come out of the area between the Lovejoy coupler and 腺? The motor runs fine and there is plenty of Hydro fluid and the Lovejoy is intact.
Can someone give me some guidance on where to start to trouble-shoot this?
Also Can you tell me the correct names of A,B, and C?

Thanks,
David

 

[LD1]

A. Is just the adapter flange to connect the motor to the pump.
B is the pump
C is the valve

When you said smoke, was it indeed smoke? Like smelling like something was burning?? or was it like an oil mist/vapor from a pump leak??

You need a pressure gauge to test the pump. The pump could be old and tired and not making pressure. Or the valve could be worn and leaking by. Or the cylinder could be worn and leaking by. All would cause a weak split with no way of knowing unless you either buy a hydraulic gauge and some fittings to test different places, or replace them all one by one till the problem goes away.

Also, since you mentioned the smoke, and the lovejoy is indeed intact, take it appart anc check each half anyway. Could have sheared a keyway in the lovejoy and it isnt spinning the other half full speed.

 

[J_J]

The relief valve could also be bad and dumping most of the fluid to tank.

Like LD1 said, get a hyd gage and insert it in a tee and install it in the IN port of the log splitter valve.

Lovejoy rubber spacer look OK, but disconnect pump to motor and inspect.

I did not see a return filter, could be on the other side though.

Does the motor slow down when you fully extend the cyl or retract?

Do you hear the relief valve operate?

 

[dlabrie]

A. Is just the adapter flange to connect the motor to the pump.
B is the pump
C is the valve

When you said smoke, was it indeed smoke? Like smelling like something was burning?? or was it like an oil mist/vapor from a pump leak??

You need a pressure gauge to test the pump. The pump could be old and tired and not making pressure. Or the valve could be worn and leaking by. Or the cylinder could be worn and leaking by. All would cause a weak split with no way of knowing unless you either buy a hydraulic gauge and some fittings to test different places, or replace them all one by one till the problem goes away.

Also, since you mentioned the smoke, and the lovejoy is indeed intact, take it appart anc check each half anyway. Could have sheared a keyway in the lovejoy and it isnt spinning the other half full speed.

Thanks for the terminology. It was blue smoke. I will take the Lovejoy apart and check it out. The cylinder piston has always had a slight drip where it pushes out. Am i right in assuming that the grinding noise was probably comming from the pump? Does the valve even have any parts that could grind?
Thanks.

 

[LD1]

Does the valve even have any parts that could grind?
Thanks.

Valve....NO

Pump....YES

 

[dlabrie]

The relief valve could also be bad and dumping most of the fluid to tank.

Like LD1 said, get a hyd gage and insert it in a tee and install it in the IN port of the log splitter valve.

Lovejoy rubber spacer look OK, but disconnect pump to motor and inspect.

I did not see a return filter, could be on the other side though.

Does the motor slow down when you fully extend the cyl or retract?

Do you hear the relief valve operate?

There has never been a filter on this rig. The motor didn't seem to slow down at full extend. I can't hear much of anything when the motor is running.
If I have to start replaceing parts, Where would be the best place to order them from?
Thanks.

 

[dlabrie]

Also, since you mentioned the smoke, and the lovejoy is indeed intact, take it appart anc check each half anyway. Could have sheared a keyway in the lovejoy and it isnt spinning the other half full speed.

LD1 wins the prize!!! The Lovejoy I had didn't have a keyway, just a set screw, and guess what was missing on the pump side....the set screw!
I am off to see if I can get one at the hardware store. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Thanks

 

[J_J]

LD1 wins the prize!!! The Lovejoy I had didn't have a keyway, just a set screw, and guess what was missing on the pump side....the set screw!
I am off to see if I can get one at the hardware store. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Thanks

Surplus Center - Hydraulic Cylinders Pumps Motors

valves, cylinders, filters, tanks, hoses, etc

 

[LD1]

Glad it was something simple.

Does the pump have a keyway?? IF it does, get a lovejoy and key it.

IF the pump dont have a key, there are a few methods of keeping a set screw to hold.
1. dimple the shaft with a drillbit so the set screw tightens into the dimple
2. double set screws. Run a second screw behind the first, kinda like a jam-nut
3. loctite

But I am betting the pump has a keyway, and you just got the wrong lovejoy last time.

 

[dlabrie]

Glad it was something simple.

Does the pump have a keyway?? IF it does, get a lovejoy and key it.

IF the pump dont have a key, there are a few methods of keeping a set screw to hold.
1. dimple the shaft with a drillbit so the set screw tightens into the dimple
2. double set screws. Run a second screw behind the first, kinda like a jam-nut
3. loctite

But I am betting the pump has a keyway, and you just got the wrong lovejoy last time.

The pump has a 1/2 moon type of slot on the shaft. I tried to screw the set screw into that area. I got it all together and it splits wood just fine but, it is smoking from the lovejoy and i can see bits of the spider in the coupler. The spider looked good but I don't think it is going to last. The Lovejoy is a L 095, 1" on the motor with a keyway and 1/2"on the pump. Do you think I should replace the entire Lovejoy setup? If so, I get very confused with the variety of spiders available and just guess. Is there a set up that would be optimal for this setup?

I found these at surplus center

http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=1-3421-E&catname=
http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=1-3421-M&catname=
http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=1-3421-X&catname=


Thanks.

 

[LD1]

That half moon slot is for a woodruff key. You really need to get a woodruff key and put in there.


Does this "smoke" sound like burning/melting rubber??

If so, I would replace the entire lovejoy set-up. And make sure its set up right. You dont want the two halves squeezing too tight on the rubber spider, and you dont want them too far appart either. I suspect that you are squeezing the spider too tight when you are mounting the pump back on.

 

[dlabrie]

That half moon slot is for a woodruff key. You really need to get a woodruff key and put in there.


Does this "smoke" sound like burning/melting rubber??

If so, I would replace the entire lovejoy set-up. And make sure its set up right. You dont want the two halves squeezing too tight on the rubber spider, and you dont want them too far appart either. I suspect that you are squeezing the spider too tight when you are mounting the pump back on.

Yes it does smell like burning rubber. It is really hard to get the pump lined up with he motor. There is no play in the hydro line at all. I don't think I got the halves close enough together this time. I think I will have to remove the pump from the line to get everything lined up. Thanks for the help. I'll order a new lovejoy set and look for a woodruff key. I have no idea as to what size i'll need.

 

[LD1]

Width is half the battle on the woodruff key.

They are cheap. Measure the length of the slot in the pump. The key you actually need will be a little longer than that. Wouldnt hurt to grab a few around that size and use the one that fits best.

 

[dlabrie]

Thanks for all of the help! I have ordered a new lovejoy set from surpluscenter.com and will scout out some woodruff keys at the Hardware store.

As you can see from the pict, there isn't any play with the pump, hose and the adapter flange. I just noticed a special clamp connecting the hose to the pump, so I won't be removing the pump from the hose. Is there any trick to getting the lovejoy lined up correctly or is it just trial and error?

 

[LD1]

Since you are using a machined adapter for the pump, is it slotted so that you have room to move the pump up, down, or side to side?? I am guessing not. Most arent.

So that kinda takes out the linear alignment. Bout all you have to worry about is the spacing between the lovejoys. Not too tight squeezing the rubber, but not too far appart either.

Best way to do that is slip the lovejoy over the shaft, install the spider, but do NOT tighten the setscrew yet. Go ahead and re-mount the pump. You should be able to slide the lovejoy closer to the motor, or father away now. Just push it into the other lovejoy half until it touches. Thats it. No extra force, and no free play. Just touching and thats it.

 

[dlabrie]

Since you are using a machined adapter for the pump, is it slotted so that you have room to move the pump up, down, or side to side?? I am guessing not. Most arent.

So that kinda takes out the linear alignment. Bout all you have to worry about is the spacing between the lovejoys. Not too tight squeezing the rubber, but not too far appart either.

Best way to do that is slip the lovejoy over the shaft, install the spider, but do NOT tighten the setscrew yet. Go ahead and re-mount the pump. You should be able to slide the lovejoy closer to the motor, or father away now. Just push it into the other lovejoy half until it touches. Thats it. No extra force, and no free play. Just touching and thats it.

That makes sense, thanks.

This rig has never had a filter on it. Do you think I should bother after all of this time? If so where should it go and what would I use for clamps?

 

[LD1]

I would put a return line filter in personally. You have to stay on top of suction filters. If they become plugged, splitter dont work. and if you dont have one on hand, you are dead in the water. Return filters usually only filter some of the oil and bypass the rest. So if it becomes dirty, you can still operate, it just bypasses the filter.

And then when done, drain and flush the tank and all the hydraulics and refill with new.

But, its up to you. You have gotten by fine so far.

I would assume your return line is on the back side and not pictured.

TSC carries the stuff normally. Filter housing and adapter, some barbbed fittings, and suction line. Hose clamps are fine as the return isnt under pressure.