help with splitter upgrade

[tuke]

hi all,
I'm a new member and i gotta say, lots of great advise.
my question is, what do i need to automate my splitter? i would like to make my splitter cycle out and back? it works great the way it is but its a little slow, so after i put my round in and line it up, with the help of a switch/valve/button i'd like it to cycle 1 time on its own while i get another round ready. i have 12 volt on board if that helps?
Thanks for any help,, tuke :greenchainsaw:

 

[mga]

auto-cycle on a hydraulic splitter isn't recommended for safety reasons. most control vales for splitters have a return detent...meaning the handle will retract the cylinder by itself. but, a full auto-cycle mode isn't a good idea.

what if you got a glove pinched while in auto-mode? it would be good bye hand. better safe than speedy.

 

[user 19670]

+1
OH yeah!

My neighbour doesn't like that you have to r e a c h for the valve handle on my homemade splitter. I told him that Bob (the builder) [no pun - that is his name] put it there for a reason and we learned the reason in heavy industry.
Next, I showed him what can happen when someone slips and falls between the ram and the anvil. When you fall you through out your arm and reach for whatever will stop your fall and the valve handle won't be that whatever that you grab because it is out of reach.

 

[tuke]

re-MGA

Thank you for your concern, safety is a must. i have considered this as much as i can, my plan was to install panic valve on the supplyline and what ever triggering devise i use will be mounted more than arms length away from any pinch points (push plate/wedge). if i don't feel comfortable with it, it wont be used.
Thanks again MGA,, tuke

 

[triptester]

Some seem to think an auto-cycle valve will always make the cycle time faster but this is not always true. An auto-cycle valve requires the ram to full stroke out and back each time. Haft the time wood will split with only 1/4 to 1/2 the stroke, so full stroking every time can slow the operation.

Auto-cycle valves with detents in both directions subject the cylinder to near maximum pressure for each stroke to retract even when it may only need 1/4 the pressure to actually split the wood.

I believe the better way to speed cycle times is to increase pump size.

 

[mga]

Thank you for your concern, safety is a must. i have considered this as much as i can, my plan was to install panic valve on the supplyline and what ever triggering devise i use will be mounted more than arms length away from any pinch points (push plate/wedge). if i don't feel comfortable with it, it wont be used.
Thanks again MGA,, tuke

hey man....just go for the regular valve to split your wood. trying to alter things with something automatic is asking for trouble, and if something should happen, what have you gained? losing a finger or hand isn't worth a couple extra seconds when splitting.

a wedge with some nice wings on it helps split wood alot faster and having one hand on the lever is the best insurance you can buy.

 

[tuke]

re-autocycle

Ok, you guys got me convinced, great points to consider, it does work great, why change a thing and most likely keep all my body parts at the same time.
Im solo through the hole process, from in the woods to throwing it in the stove so i don't need to take any more chances i have to.


Thanks again guys and hopefully i can be some help to
you in the future,,,tuke

 

[kevin j]

what do you have for engine, pump, and cylinder and valve?

Might some ways to pick up speed with larger pump, two stage pump, or the new Prince regen valve.


k

 

[Zodiac45]

Some seem to think an auto-cycle valve will always make the cycle time faster but this is not always true. An auto-cycle valve requires the ram to full stroke out and back each time. Haft the time wood will split with only 1/4 to 1/2 the stroke, so full stroking every time can slow the operation.

Auto-cycle valves with detents in both directions subject the cylinder to near maximum pressure for each stroke to retract even when it may only need 1/4 the pressure to actually split the wood.

I believe the better way to speed cycle times is to increase pump size.

+1 I rarely use the whole stroke.

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

+1 I rarely use the whole stroke.

Yep. Good timing on my part saves me a lot of time. Most of my splitting is vertical, but the same thing applies either way. Once that wood is split, I slap the valve back the other way, move the splits, and load the next piece, then usually have the wedge moving back to the wood before it completes the return stroke. Keeps you humping, but I'll bet it's faster than waiting for a full cycle each time, even if it did auto cycle.