Need help understanding my inherited log splitter

[prairiesailor]

Hello,

I am fairly new to the forum, but have followed awhile. I recently purchased a cabin that came with a gas-powered log splitter and I am not really familiar with hydraulics and have 2 questions or problems:

1. When i extend the ram too far the motor immediately dies. This gets super frustrating, as you have to gauge it and if you miss by a split second...bam...motor dies.
2. It seems to really struggle splitting lots of logs, and will stall the motor if I am not gingerly on the control. This is poplar and pine, not hardwood, and most of it maybe 8 to 10" diameter. I wonder if this is a hydraulic limitation or that the motor is too small? It's a 5 hp Honda motor.

I have included a link to some pictures. I am pretty certain it's homemade by the looks of it. It works, but these 2 issues make it frustrating, and I just don't know too much about how these work and would love to hear any suggestions.
Photo Album of Wood Splitter

 

[ClintonH]

No bypass valve: pump hits a dead end when the ram is fully extended. Mine does the same (out and in). I have a mark on my splitter beam - a scar in the I Beam actually, that I can "eyeball" by and know when the travel is at the end, before the engine dies. :|

 

[prairiesailor]

Wondering if the bigger problem is the pump, or the engine. And if it even makes sense to try to replace either.

 

[Jags]

It appears that you have a mix match of components thrown together into a splitter. Nothing wrong with the engine or the ram but it appears you don't have a bypass valve working properly and it also appears that your hydraulic pump is not a typical two stage splitter pump. my guess is that the only reason you haven't had a catastrophic failure is that the engine doesn't have enough horsepower to make that pump create enough pressure to blow crap apart. At a very minimum you need a splitter control valve that has a bypass valve and a return hose to the tank

 

[prairiesailor]

Are you saying it's probably not safe? Would it cost more to upgrade parts than to buy a new one?

 

[Jags]

The reason you are stalling the engine appears to be from lack of a relief valve and/or running a single stage pump that is too large for your HP. I state “appears” because from this side of the keyboard I really can’t confirm what you do or don’t have. This is only based on what I can see in pictures. Worst case scenario is a replacement control valve (splitter valve with relief) and replacement 2 stage pump Plus the addition of a return line from control valve to hydro tank. Probably in the neighborhood of $200 should get that done. You won’t get anywhere close to the purchase of a new splitter for that,

 

[prairiesailor]

The reason you are stalling the engine appears to be from lack of a relief valve and/or running a single stage pump that is too large for your HP. I state “appears” because from this side of the keyboard I really can’t confirm what you do or don’t have. This is only based on what I can see in pictures. Worst case scenario is a replacement control valve (splitter valve with relief) and replacement 2 stage pump Plus the addition of a return line from control valve to hydro tank. Probably in the neighborhood of $200 should get that done. You won’t get anywhere close to the purchase of a new splitter for that,

Thanks for the information. I'm a newbie, but willing to get a bit dirty and try making improvements. I'm always open to suggestions from those with more knowledge. If you have specific items to recommend, please do! Thanks for the time.

 

[highanddryinco]

I've been working on hydraulics all throughout my career, and can best advise you to "be careful" as it sounds like you may be unfamiliar with general hydraulics. That said, I truly appreciate someone who is up to a challenge.
I have no personal knowledge of this book, but something like it might be a of use for you to familiarize yourself of what your dealing with. FWIW, all of the advice above is sound. A $10 book might help explain what's been mentioned so far.
https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Hydraulics-Fluid-Power-Basic/dp/1484120590/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3M6PKJIBC1PJY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.bJ3nuDRmaf93I46G-TsaUMhgRNTGSbG5rNJxvrNj3WwmwtjlXY3-w2p23WBni1KjdBpLXOZGs6Xa8WxM7BxdfjKN9f5NG4yt84KL3PqES7LNUq-QeSDVd3Ff8jeRR1O8LUmOpfcG0CXMxYcL99-s7TnYt-w5E4IYDrjIz105QmJGoG8lRbjVW8S7-L2Ib7Rc0RwxlbsY9rz0cO28FRAVI6c1cVKXeZjZPU3zKVhWNXI.xB5Gmsq02T98n5whcWB4jV2tJBZseMxWa18lD25ekGA&dib_tag=se&keywords=hydraulics+for+dummies&qid=1721963869&sprefix=hydraulics,aps,135&sr=8-1

👍 Or a picture like this...

Google Image Result for https://northernhydraulics.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/pressure_for_hoses.webp

 

[Jags]

Yep-go to whatever store of your choice and look at the log splitters there. Virtually all the gas driven consumer splitters are built with similar components. The two biggest items I would like to point out is that a splitter valve is built intentionally for log splitters with a bypass built in and the hydraulic pump is typically A two stage matched to engine horsepower

 

[triptester]

The main problem appears to be the single stage pump that is on the splitter. The control valve looks like a Energy brand log splitter valve. There is a relief adjustment above the outlet return port. Page 2 article 7 relief adjustment. Page 3 relief parts 11-15