Very slow splitter

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wardk

Feeling the Heat
Jul 19, 2012
255
B.C. Canada
I have a 24 ton splitter 3pt hitch runs off the tractor hydraulics, originally it had a valve on it but the seals blew out of the valve shortly after we bought it. I took the valve off and run it off the remotes using the tractor valve,have to run the tractor at pto rpm and it's still slow also heats the oil. I've checked the inlet to the cylinder didn't see any restrictor. I tried it on both tractors and at this rpm both loaders are very fast so I don't think it's a flow problem. Can there be something in the cylinder to make it so slow?
 
Did it ever cycle fast? Unless you have a big tractor with a high flow rating, these splitters will be slow. They are much faster running off a PTO pump.
 
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The loader cylinders are most likely smaller volume (even combined) than the splitter ram which is probably why the loader cycles fast. The valve controling the remote couplers on the tractor could be restrictive, hence the elevated oil temps.

Usually the proper way to hook a log splitter to a tractor hydraulic system is via a Power Beyond kit, similar to a backhoe. You would need to replace the valve on the splitter to do that. Usually that is the only way to take full advantage of the tractor's hydraulic pump flow and keep hydraulic oil temperatures acceptable. The remote circuits on most tractors is not designed for the constant duty cycle of a log splitter.

Beware that many tractors have two hydraulic pumps, one for steering and one for implements. Often when rating the hydraulic system's flow, manufacturers will use the combined output of both pumps and advertise that number. (Which is complete horse$hit if you ask me but hey, I don't have a marketing degree. :rolleyes:) Ths often leads the tractor owner to believe they have much more hydraulic flow capability than they really do.

The Deere 3032E in your signature has a 4.0 gal/min steering pump and a 5.3 gal/min implement pump. On it's best day, with an ideal hookup, the 24 Ton splitter (I'm guessing it's a 4" cylinder) is going to have a cycle time of 35 seconds. By comparison, a $1099 (frequently on sale for $999) Huskee 22 Ton splitter will cycle every 14 seconds. Also, the 3032E has the hydraulic relief set at 2500psi so that's going to limit your "24 ton" splitter (assuming a 4" cylinder) to 15.7 Tons.

I'd suggest selling your current splitter and picking up a self-powered model or a PTO pump tractor-mounted model. ;)
 
The loader cylinders are most likely smaller volume (even combined) than the splitter ram which is probably why the loader cycles fast. The valve controling the remote couplers on the tractor could be restrictive, hence the elevated oil temps.

Usually the proper way to hook a log splitter to a tractor hydraulic system is via a Power Beyond kit, similar to a backhoe. You would need to replace the valve on the splitter to do that. Usually that is the only way to take full advantage of the tractor's hydraulic pump flow and keep hydraulic oil temperatures acceptable. The remote circuits on most tractors is not designed for the constant duty cycle of a log splitter.

Beware that many tractors have two hydraulic pumps, one for steering and one for implements. Often when rating the hydraulic system's flow, manufacturers will use the combined output of both pumps and advertise that number. (Which is complete horse$hit if you ask me but hey, I don't have a marketing degree. :rolleyes:) Ths often leads the tractor owner to believe they have much more hydraulic flow capability than they really do.

The Deere 3032E in your signature has a 4.0 gal/min steering pump and a 5.3 gal/min implement pump. On it's best day, with an ideal hookup, the 24 Ton splitter (I'm guessing it's a 4" cylinder) is going to have a cycle time of 35 seconds. By comparison, a $1099 (frequently on sale for $999) Huskee 22 Ton splitter will cycle every 14 seconds. Also, the 3032E has the hydraulic relief set at 2500psi so that's going to limit your "24 ton" splitter (assuming a 4" cylinder) to 15.7 Tons.

I'd suggest selling your current splitter and picking up a self-powered model or a PTO pump tractor-mounted model. ;)
Thanks for the info, it never did cycle fast not even on the big tractor which is about 70hp. I would like a splitter on a trailer anyway.If I mount this splitter on a trailer what size pump would you recommend i.e. gpm and hp? Thanks K
 
Go with an 8hp engine and 16 GPM pump and make a real splitter out of this thing. You will want a hydro tank north of 5 gallons for this setup.
 
Go with an 8hp engine and 16 GPM pump and make a real splitter out of this thing. You will want a hydro tank north of 5 gallons for this setup.
Jags has it. 16gpm pumps don't cost a lot more than the 11 gpm models and a 4"x24" cylinder should cycle at roughly 8 seconds or so with that much pump on it. Most commercial splitters are running a 9HP or 270cc engine with those pumps too. My splitter is a 9HP/16GPM setup and it doesn't make the engine work at all, even in knotty, nasty rounds.
 
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