I built a log splitter years ago using a 8hp BS engine, 16gpm pump and a 4x24 cylinder. The splitter worked well for a long time but this year it seams to have lost some of it's power. On some of the harder wood the wedge goes in the wood a 1/2" then stalls almost like the second stage is not working. On a 2 stage pump what's the best way to test to see if it's working? Also, could it be that the cylinder is leaking internally? The cylinder was a used one given to me to begin with and has a pitted ram. Any ideas? Dan
- Thread starter BigDanT
- Start date
Richard G.
Well-known Member
Mine did that and I took a hose off the return end and ran it into a piece of wood. Cylinder was leaking past the piston as the seals were completely gone. Had it rebuilt and is like new now.
Richard in NW SC
Richard in NW SC
Keith True
Well-known Member
Start working it cold,and see how fast the oil heats up.If the internal packings are bad the oil will heat up pretty fast,it will actually be a high pressure leak inside there.Unless something has gotten into the pump and hurt it I would probably look there last.Those 2 stage pumps take a tremendous amount of abuse and still work.It could be something like a broken relief valve spring,or just a worn out pump.You might want to tee a guage into the pressure side of the pump,and see what it reads in use.The pitting on the piston rod is almost a zero issue for a splitter.The only pressure it needs to hold is on the return stroke,the pitting might be a little hard on the dust seals,and make a mess,but really won't affect operation.
The temp of the hoses when i put it up was one of the things I noticed...they were extremely hot, much hotter than I had ever known them to be. The next question would be what size cylinder to replace this one with, 4 or 5 inch bore. Will my 16gpm 8hp setup run a 5 inch ok? or should I stick with the 4 inch? Thanks
Steve@Advance
Well-known Member
Sense it worked well before, no real need to go to a larger cylinder.
A larger cylinder will give more power, but will be slower moving. It will also stress the frame and ram more.
An easy test on the cylinder seals, block the cylinder mid stroke with a cross ways log. Bring the ram up against the log, shut it off. Disconnect the return line, hang it in a bucket or back into the tank. (If it has a spring return valve, tie it to the extend position.) Start it up, hold pressure on the cylinder, watch for oil to come out the return fitting of the cylinder. If oil comes out, the seal is leaking.
A larger cylinder will give more power, but will be slower moving. It will also stress the frame and ram more.
An easy test on the cylinder seals, block the cylinder mid stroke with a cross ways log. Bring the ram up against the log, shut it off. Disconnect the return line, hang it in a bucket or back into the tank. (If it has a spring return valve, tie it to the extend position.) Start it up, hold pressure on the cylinder, watch for oil to come out the return fitting of the cylinder. If oil comes out, the seal is leaking.
guido
Well-known Member
Hello BigDanT,
What you need to observe is the cylinder movement, or lack of, when it goes in the second stage. If it stops moving, then the higher pressure may be passing through the cylinder seals. You can verify that by cracking open the return line from the cylinder to the tank. Oil should not come out while under pressure on the splitting cycle,
Guido.
What you need to observe is the cylinder movement, or lack of, when it goes in the second stage. If it stops moving, then the higher pressure may be passing through the cylinder seals. You can verify that by cracking open the return line from the cylinder to the tank. Oil should not come out while under pressure on the splitting cycle,
Guido.
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