Oh no, splitter broke....advice please

[Beer Belly]

Just starting what was suppose to be a full day of splitting and on the wedge return, banging a motor hopping.....thought I blew another. Fired it up, motor is fine, but does not engage pump. Found the coupler not looking as it should....agree ?.......could the pump fail causing the coupler to give way ?.......ON EDIT : Not sure there is a pump problem.....how would I diagnose ?....have no idea how the coupler could of just gave up the ghost

 

[peakbagger]

IMHO - if the pump shaft turns, its probably not the pump. You do realize that the flexible insert "spider" is missing? (lookup Lovejoy spider). Its probably a Lovejoy coupling or a clone.

Flexible inserts dry out and do get old and fail. Sometimes they self destruct and disappear like what you are looking at. You need to buy one anyhow so buy one, install it and see if it the splitter works . The other thing that can really screw up inserts if the alignment between the coupling halves is off due to loose bolts, you will eat inserts.

 

[Beer Belly]

Was able to spin the pump shaft, so that eliminates that. I did find a few pieces of the Spider, and found replacement parts on Ebay.....according to owners manual...1/2 inch and 7/8 Bore. Just going to replace the entire unit

(broken link removed to https://www.ebay.com/itm/LO75-LoveJoy-Coupler-Set-1-2-to-7-8-Log-Splitter-1-2-x-7-8-w-EXTRA-SPIDER/272022216606?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D44040%26meid%3D1281deccaab048e38c54f363c85de65d%26pid%3D100623%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D301420165495%26itm%3D272022216606&_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1)

 

[Beer Belly]

Is this supposed to be a tightly put together piece ?. If you look at the assembly picture on the link above, it looks like everything is sandwiched together......if you look at the first post with the picture of the broken unit, looks like a bigger gap and could not have been sandwiched together. I'm wondering because I had the motor replaced from a dealer and now wondering if they put it together right ?.

 

[Andyman]

Is this supposed to be a tightly put together piece ?. If you look at the assembly picture on the link above, it looks like everything is sandwiched together......if you look at the first post with the picture of the broken unit, looks like a bigger gap and could not have been sandwiched together. I'm wondering because I had the motor replaced from a dealer and now wondering if they put it together right ?.

the plastic "spider" fills the gaps. looks like yours "ate it self up" from the metal "teeth" ramming into each other.

 

[brenndatomu]

Yeah those Lovejoy couplings are supposed to be all together in a sandwich of sorts when everything is right...your insert probably dried out over time and cracked until the pieces flew out. Once the two halves were running metal on metal, things self destructed pretty quickly. Its possible that the setscrews loosened up just a little and the couplers scooched apart a bit...that could make trouble too.

 

[peakbagger]

Yes it is supposed to be a tight unit. If the spacing is too wide, the coupling halves will tear up the spider prematurely especially if the alignment is off. Up to you if you want to try to go after the dealer or just buy a new set and be done with it.

 

[salecker]

Yes it is supposed to be a tight unit. If the spacing is too wide, the coupling halves will tear up the spider prematurely especially if the alignment is off. Up to you if you want to try to go after the dealer or just buy a new set and be done with it.

I had the center section go on mine a few years ago.
I grabbed a piece of conveyor belting and cut/carved a filler piece.Has split around 30 cords since then.
I live 100 miles from the closest parts store that maybe would have one.
I have enough belting to last till i die.
Cost...Freebee
Splitting Wood... Priceless

 

[Andyman]

how long ago did the dealer work on it?

if you need to replace the whole coupling make shure you measure both shafts, key-ways.

Applied industrial technologies would have them in stock, google if you have one close to you;

Mcmaster Carr is a good place to mail order from.

https://www.mcmaster.com/#shaft-couplings/=1cm1d01

 

[Beer Belly]

Called Speeco and got a P/N for a new and improved version, then called local Tractor Supply. Tractor Supply has been trying to get hold of Speeco (or thier vendor, not sure how this works) with the new P/N to price and order.....might take a few days once ordered, thats okay, got enough logs to cut in the meantime.

 

[Ashful]

I recognize that photo, you appear to have a Huskee 22-ton unit. The trouble with this one is that they mounted the pump so close to that long motor shaft that standard “solid center” Lovejoy spiders won’t work. In other words, the two shafts occupy the space normally allowed for the spider, on this design. You can actually see the pump shaft protruding up into the spider space in your photo.

You can buy hollow center Lovejoy spiders (Speeco may be the simplest source), or just punch a hole in the one you buy, assuming you have the equipment to do so.

A nice punch can be made from a piece of 1/2” steel tubing and a countersink to grind a bevel on the ID of one end.

 

[Beer Belly]

I recognize that photo, you appear to have a Huskee 22-ton unit. The trouble with this one is that they mounted the pump so close to that long motor shaft that standard “solid center” Lovejoy spiders won’t work. In other words, the two shafts occupy the space normally allowed for the spider, on this design. You can actually see the pump shaft protruding up into the spider space in your photo.

You can buy hollow center Lovejoy spiders (Speeco may be the simplest source), or just punch a hole in the one you buy, assuming you have the equipment to do so.

A nice punch can be made from a piece of 1/2” steel tubing and a countersink to grind a bevel on the ID of one end.

Looking at the picture, I see what you mean. I had the motor replaced a while back, I'm thinking maybe Bethel Power Equipment didn't do it right for the bargain price of $500. I did call Speeco, and they gave me a new P/N, but could not sell to me direct

 

[Ashful]

Looking at the picture, I see what you mean. I had the motor replaced a while back, I'm thinking maybe Bethel Power Equipment didn't do it right for the bargain price of $500.

Nope, they’re all that way. Just their design.

Just Google “open center lovejoy spider,” and pick your size. Not that hard to find.