wood splitter blowing return line

[RoyBrooks]

I have a northern tool 22 ton wood splitter. I have been using it for about 5 years without any significant issues. Lately the return line from the valve to the filter then on to the tank has blown apart. I put it down to uv degradation as the splitter has been outside for a year now. I replaced the line with a 250 psi braided hose, today I blew the seal between the filter and the housing. Now maybe the filter became loose, I`m not sure, but I`m wondering if there is a pressure relief in the valve that is getting weak? I've always had a 4-way splitter head on it and never had a stall issue but now it seems to stall more frequently and even on the return, the auto return will kick out mid return? Any ideas?

 

[Barry 1]

Sounds like something is restricting the return flow to the tank. The filter housing should have a low pressure by-pass valve in it (15psi?) that should prevent the filter from blowing out. Did you check the breather cap to see if it could be plugged up? Something is blocking the flow.

 

[Soundguy]

i'd also look to see if a filter has come apart inside the filter head.. look for blockage / free flow..

soundguy

 

[triptester]

Several times it has been found that the by-pass in the filter housing breaks causing blockage which in turn leads to bursting hoses or blown filters. Return line pressure should never exceed 15 psi.

 

[J_J]

Bypass the filter or get a new filter housing, and new filter.

The only reason for a return hose to blow is a blockage from the valve OUT port to the tank inlet.

 

[kubotakid USA]

your bypass only works when the filter plugs,, so change the filter, you can test the breather by just takin the filler cap of, and trying it, clean the breather with compressed air and replace Eric

 

[RoyBrooks]

Checked the filter housing everything looks ok tried blowing air through it and pressure never exceeded 15 psi ( stayed right at 15 psi) Checked all fittings, lines and bolts. I did the 100 hour service, changed the filter and oil and removed the extra splitting wings. Also changed the engine oil and lubed everything. I guess I'll try it again tomorrow and see how things work. Thanks for the replies.

 

[kubotakid USA]

I see your from canada

Checked the filter housing everything looks ok tried blowing air through it and pressure never exceeded 15 psi ( stayed right at 15 psi) Checked all fittings, lines and bolts. I did the 100 hour service, changed the filter and oil and removed the extra splitting wings. Also changed the engine oil and lubed everything. I guess I'll try it again tomorrow and see how things work. Thanks for the replies.

Roy, be sure the breather is clean,.. Another thing that will blow off the return is having a fine filter (micron rating) an pumping thick oil threw it, seeing how you live i canada, Its real important, Eric

 

[derek01]

I had a similar issue with a splitter my father bought from HD (the filter kept blowing off) I brought both the filter and housing to the local NAPA the knowledgeable sales man suggested I purchase a new housing and larger filter never had a problem again after taking his advice. He did explain what was wrong with what I had but I do not recall what it was too long ago ago and my memory never was that good.

 

[RoyBrooks]

I had a similar issue with a splitter my father bought from HD (the filter kept blowing off) I brought both the filter and housing to the local NAPA the knowledgeable sales man suggested I purchase a new housing and larger filter never had a problem again after taking his advice. He did explain what was wrong with what I had but I do not recall what it was too long ago ago and my memory never was that good.

I ran the splitter for about 5 minutes. The splitter was still not right, it was loading up on the return stroke. I drained the fluid again and Checked breather again and checked the housing again. The bypass valve was broken, when I checked it last night I ran compressed air through it and got 15psi. I guess that's not a good way to test them. Replaced the housing and filter (went to a 25 micron filter from a 10) and refilled the tank. Splitter no longer loads up on the return stroke. Split wood for about 2 hours with no issues. The splitting wings will have to come off for the time being, I'm splitting a bunch of wood that is really stringy. Thanks for all the replies.