slow log splitter

[KubotainNH]

Hi folks, recently my FIL picked up a home made logsplitter. After doing some modifications on how the motor/pump was ghetto mounted it now runs pretty good. The thing that bugs me is how slow it is to extend. The pump is a 2 speed 11gpm Haldex running a 4" cylinder. Attached to the pump is a 6.5hp vertical shaft B/S motor. The 2 hoses that carry most of the pressure have been replaced and are decent sized. The fluid coming back does not appear to have bubbles. The pump feed hose also looks big and seems fine. According to a hydro calculator it should run 202" a minute, it's no where close. It does seem to slow down when it hits the wood and it pushes right on through. The gauge hits about 500 when it gets under load. When maxing out the cylinder (accidentally) I saw the gauge go up to 3k and the motor bog so it can build some big pressure. Any thoughts on what to check?

I've perused many posts and haven't noticed anything they've mentioned as issues. I'll add some pics soon. Thanks.

 

[KubotainNH]

Here's a picture of the beast. Thx.

 

[J_J]

At 11 GPM and low pressure, your extend speed should be around 7 sec, at 3.4 IPM

I suspect you are running in the low GPM mode and high pressure, or something else is wrong.

At 3.4 GPM and high pressure, your extend speed should be around 24 sec, at 1 IPM.

Is your engine running at max rpm.

Is the love-joy coupler loose on the engine to pump? Are the filters clean and not obstructed, or reversed?

Is it a return filter or input filter?

Is the IN hose and OUT hose reversed?


Can you make a video of the cycle time?

 

[Leejohn]

Can you show a better picture of the IN port and A port fittings?

 

[J_J]

Can you show a better picture of the IN port and A port fittings?

Leejohn, are you thinking of a restrictive fitting on the input hose, and the cyl fitting?

Maybe he should remove those fittings and look through them.

 

[Leejohn]

Yes and with the picture not being clear they look small. I had hoses made for my small dump trailor and they put a fitting on, the hole was less then 1/8". I have sa cyls, just put it on the down side so it worked out good.

 

[KubotainNH]

I'll get some close ups, not so sure about a video. The motor speed is on high but I'm sure I could make it rev higher but don't see that making a huge difference. The filter is on the return to the reservoir. Coupler is new and tight. I was thinking about removing the pressure hose from the valve and measuring output. I assume it should fill a gallon container in about 6 seconds seeing it's 11gpm. Thanks for the replies.

 

[Eyecatcher]

I had almost the identical problem with my home made splitter. Finally discovered that there was a strainer, on the suction line, inside the tank, that was partially plugged. Removed it, and it works great. I read somewhere that if there is a suction line strainer/filter, throw it as far as you can.

 

[KubotainNH]

I read that thread, I don't think this one has a strainer but I could be wrong. More stuff to check.

 

[KubotainNH]

Here's some closeups of the valve and hoses attached. They look to be as big as the fittings allow.

 

[J_J]

Why not remove the input fitting and look at the hole size, it could be a restrictor nipple.

While the hose is off, place the end with out the nipple in a bucket and determine the GPM.

Check the output fitting as well.

If that fitting on the input is a water pipe fitting, you need to change it to a hydraulic fitting.

 

[KubotainNH]

Thanks for the reply JJ. I mentioned earlier about checking the GPM, that's probably what I'll try next plus check the inside diameters at the same time.

As for the fittings, they all came with the machine so it could be a water fitting. I'm not sure how to tell honestly. I assume a water fitting won't handle the needed PSI and could burst. That the reasoning to change it?

I was thinking about moving the T so the flow would be straight instead of 90 degrees.

Thanks again.

 

[uncleaddy]

The 2 stage pump has a low pressure unloader on the high volum side of the pump, and a check valve between the hi and low pump. Sounds like your only using the low volume/ high pressure side of the pump. Check the low volume unloader for contamination or the check valve between the high pressure pump and the low pressure pump.
They should just unscrew from either side of the pump?? Just make sure to reassemble them the same sequence as they are taken apart.

 

[KubotainNH]

I figured I'd give an update to this since it been a little while. Got the log splitter to run at pretty quick pace today. My FIL bought a bigger pump off Ebay because he wanted a bit faster and more oomph. Between the pump and removing a barbed tube under the hydro tank it runs much faster. That barbed tube has about a 3/8" ID, way smaller than the hose. No idea what the previous guy was thinking using such a small fitting. It splits decent but the engine is too small for the pump. It will get by until spring, probably put an 8 or 10 HP motor on it at that point. Thanks for the posts!

 

[Leejohn]

I had a feeling it was a fitting. If you have time sometimes I would just try the old pump and see how it does.