Odd valve on log splitter

Mechanos · Dec 3, 2011

I just picked up a used 3pt log splitter. I was wanting a stand alone log splitter, but the price was right on this one. Anyway, it has a Prince valve on the splitter, but it appears to have just two positions... no detents. I'm not sure if this is even a log splitter valve. There is a serial number on the plate: 00589154, but there is no model number on the plate.

If no one here can help me figure out what valve this is, I may just have to wait until Monday and give Prince a call to see if they can tell me what I have.

The guy I bought if from said that he sold the tractor he used to use it on, but we did hook it up to another of his tractors so he could demo it for me. The tractor we hooked it up to was an Alis Chalmers D19. In order to get it to work, he would have to hold the DA remote valve on his tractor down and when I operated the valve on the splitter the ram would extend. He would then have to hold the remote valve in the other direction and when the splitter valve was operated, the ram would retract. Seems very strange to me. I'm thinking I may just have to pick up a new splitter valve for this thing.

J_J · Dec 3, 2011

How about some pictures. It could be a good valve. The remotes have to be activated to supply the log splitter, but the remote would stay in the same position for both cycles.

If the splitter valve does not have detent, you can still use it, but will have to hold the lever for the complete cycle. A new log splitter valve is only about $69.

http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=9-1262&catname=hydraulic

Mechanos · Dec 3, 2011

I'll get some better pictures tomorrow... but it looks like pretty much any other Prince monoblock valve. What I find weird is that it only had two positions... the "neutral" position when no input is applied to the lever and one other position when input is applied to the lever. The lever only moves one direction and spring returns to the original position. I don't see how this could even activate a DA cylinder.

Here's a crappy picture for now:

glastron23 · Dec 4, 2011

looks like a 2500 series mono block all right, on the opposite end of the handle there is a spring and retainer bolt, check to see if these are still in place? check the detent balls also, they may be jammed.

165masseyky · Dec 4, 2011

Mechanos said:
I'll get some better pictures tomorrow... but it looks like pretty much any other Prince monoblock valve. What I find weird is that it only had two positions... the "neutral" position when no input is applied to the lever and one other position when input is applied to the lever. The lever only moves one direction and spring returns to the original position. I don't see how this could even activate a DA cylinder.

Here's a crappy picture for now:

View attachment 240246

That could be a hydraulic motor control valve for something like a auger or conveyor but with only on direction of flow can really see it used for that either because of safety.Perhaps something is restricting the valve from moving in the other direction? Spring broken, spool damaged or foreign material?I can't see anyone using a valve like that for a splitter unless nothing else was available. I think i would just buy a new valve. Oh and if its for a tractor splitter and you have low gpm hydraulics I can strongly suggest the Prince LSR 3060 will make extend super fast and has retract detent.:thumbsup:

triptester · Dec 4, 2011

Your valve appears to be a Prince LS 3000 which has detent positions and is for a double acting cylinder. The valve may be damaged if it does not move in both directions.

http://www.princehyd.com/Portals/0/products/valves/catalog/ValvesLsRd25.pdf

J_J · Dec 4, 2011

If you have the skill, you can remove the detent section, inspect clean and replace bad or rusty parts.

You will need to set the detent pressure and the valve relief pressure.

The detent return to center pressure varies with the model of valve you have.

Does the lever spring back to center?

The spool should move past the spring center position, and if it does, you need to push the lever more/harder to set the detent..

Here is an in-expensive $61 valve that should work.

Surplus Center - 1 SPOOL 25 GPM LOG SPLITTER VALVE W/AUTO DETENT

Mechanos · Dec 4, 2011

J_J said:
If you have the skill, you can remove the detent section, inspect clean and replace bad or rusty parts.

You will need to set the detent pressure and the valve relief pressure.

The detent return to center pressure varies with the model of valve you have.

Does the lever spring back to center?

The spool should move past the spring center position, and if it does, you need to push the lever more/harder to set the detent..

Here is an in-expensive $61 valve that should work.

Surplus Center - 1 SPOOL 25 GPM LOG SPLITTER VALVE W/AUTO DETENT

That's exactly what I intended to do. I put a wrench on the detent adjuster jam nut and with very little effort... snap... the detent adjuster screw twisted in two. It was so full of corrosion and crap that the adjuster screw and the spring inside it have become one. I unscrewed the detent cartrige out of the valve only to find the detent sleeve and piston are stuck in the bore and will not come out. Those parts have to come out before the spool can be removed so that's as far as I got. At this point I don't know how much more effort I'm going to put into this valve... I've got a lot of wood that I need to split and just don't have the time jack around with this valve. I think the most expeditious thing to do now is just replace the valve.

The Prince LSR-3060 mentioned earlier is a very temping choice. I'm assuming it achieves it's rapid extend from a 4th position that is a regenerative mode like the "fast dump" regenerative feature on many loader valves. I've found one on-line for $87.

Here's some more pics of the valve as promised: