Wood Splitter Ram Slams Forward

Oldtoad · Oct 14, 2019

Whoa, a guy borrowed my MTD wood splitter, brought it back said it was broke.
Replaced the pump and valve, cleaned it out, now the ram slams forward, again, Whoa, Nelly.
Time to replace the ram?

4570Man · Oct 14, 2019

There’s air in the cylinder.

Oldtoad · Oct 14, 2019

4570Man said:
There’s air in the cylinder.

When the line is disconnected fluid flows out.
If so, how do I get the air out?

WranglerX · Oct 14, 2019

oldtoad said:
When the line is disconnected fluid flows out.
If so, how do I get the air out?

You could try to keep cycling it air will eventually bleed out....

Dale

Oldtoad · Oct 14, 2019

If the ram is pushed all the way back and the control is moved to the return position the ram surges forward.
Must be something internal is broken.
All right, posted before Dale, going to try again.

ruffdog · Oct 14, 2019

Put a piece of wood in it near full stroke so it has something to hit instead of slamming at the end. Keep running to full stroke and look at the oil to see if it is foaming. You might have to let the fluid sit so the air can escape. Double check your tank vent too. Does it seem like it is having to work at just moving the cylinder?

4570Man · Oct 14, 2019

When my splitter was doings that it was bad fluid and it was foaming up the fluid and sucking air. After a fluid change it worked fine. My splitter leaks a little and I added a different type of fluid. I’m not sure of that messed it up or if it was just old and deteriorated.

Oldtoad · Oct 14, 2019

Engine running, control forward, put a piece of wood near full extension, did a little compression then nothing.
Put control in neutral, pushed the ram back manually, ram will not go all the way back, maybe obstruction, vent hisses indicating vent open.
Control in reverse, engine running, ram pushes forward then when disconnect at rear end of cylinder fluid surges out while ram stays forward.
Checked tank, near capacity.
10w20 tractor hydro fluid, no foam.

ericm979 · Oct 14, 2019

Are you sure the hoses for the valve and pump are connected to the right ports?
when I have had air in cylinders they extend slower, not slam to the end of the travel.