I have a yard machines 5.5 honda splitter. Yesterday when i was splitting for about 3.5 hours, i noticed when i put my hand on the cylinder it was very hot, almost to the point where i couldn't keep my hand on it. The fluid was new about 40 hours ago (says to change ever 100) and filter was changed maybe 20 hours ago. Any ideas? Something i should be worried about?
Hot Hyrdo Fluid?
- Thread starter Petr51488
- Start date
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Heat is oil flow going across a pressure drop (leak or relief valve) without doing actual work. Energy is converted to heat.
Is the oil tank hot, or just the cylinder?
If just the cylinder, you likely have bad cylinder seals on the piston.
If it is the entire system, all the oil hot, then likely spending a lot of time going across relief valve with cylinder stalled. Operator technique?
Other causes: worn pump, worn spool valve, any place that high pressure oil can leak.
k
Is the oil tank hot, or just the cylinder?
If just the cylinder, you likely have bad cylinder seals on the piston.
If it is the entire system, all the oil hot, then likely spending a lot of time going across relief valve with cylinder stalled. Operator technique?
Other causes: worn pump, worn spool valve, any place that high pressure oil can leak.
k
grandpatractor
Addicted to ArboristSite
Normal operating temp for hydraulic oil is 100 degrees above ambient.
As a rule of thumb.
Thanks for the reply. I havn't checked the tank, but yes the cylinder is hot, but the lines, i think, are not. Its constantly being used (up and down) with no breaks inbetween. One guy operates the handle, the other guy set up the wood to be split, so i guess that can cause it.
So i guess that my temp should be normal? I would guess its about 100-110 degrees then.
110F is NOT hot at all. Don't worry. I should have asked earlier, thought you meant really hot. However, if tank is cool, the piston seals may still be an issue.
just working up & down doesn't overheat if not stalled at relief.
100F over ambient is too hot for this type of machine. Hydrostatics yes, but not simple logsplitter.
Ideal would be 100 to 140F maybe. Don't want systems running too cold as the moisture builds up from breathing air in & out. Running above 125F seems to drive most moisture out.
Petroleum oil 140 to 160 is desired maximum. Viscosity gets too low, and the oil starts to oxidze at higher temps. Oil life drops, but in a splitter, no worries, don't use it enough. I try to design for 140F max, 180 is a caution, 200 shut it down.
More valuable than a specific number is the trend: if it always used to run at xx temperature, and now is 20 degrees hotter there is a reason.
just working up & down doesn't overheat if not stalled at relief.
100F over ambient is too hot for this type of machine. Hydrostatics yes, but not simple logsplitter.
Ideal would be 100 to 140F maybe. Don't want systems running too cold as the moisture builds up from breathing air in & out. Running above 125F seems to drive most moisture out.
Petroleum oil 140 to 160 is desired maximum. Viscosity gets too low, and the oil starts to oxidze at higher temps. Oil life drops, but in a splitter, no worries, don't use it enough. I try to design for 140F max, 180 is a caution, 200 shut it down.
More valuable than a specific number is the trend: if it always used to run at xx temperature, and now is 20 degrees hotter there is a reason.
grandpatractor
Addicted to ArboristSite
yup
Lignum
Addicted to ArboristSite
Mine has been the same way since I bought it. In the middle of winter is isn't so bad to be around, but when it is 90 degrees out, it can make you sweat a little bit, not counting the wood splitting of course.
Blowncrewcab
ArboristSite Guru
It could be a number of things, Not neccesarily worn parts. But depending on who made it, if they have a Big flow pump 15+gpm (example only) and only 3/8" 0r 1/2" hose and fittings. If your running the motor hard the flow that can't make it through the hose is going past the relief and just trying to pump so much through the hose contributes to heat also. if you find everything looks good, try changing to a bigger hose. sometimes it'll give you a Lil faster cycle time too.
THe tank is hot as well. I checked the lines, they don't seem as hot, but i think its because the cylinder is metal and the hoses are rubber. It was about 74 the other day. Maybe one of these days ill put a thermometer into the tank to get an accurate reading. Thanks for the input BTW.
Zodiac45
Paleostoveologist & Sawwhisperer
How much oil does it hold? Should be close to 5 gals? At any rate, as long as you don't have a leak and the machine is doing it's think properly, I wouldn't worry about. If you feel it's a problem give it a break every few hours. I really don't think it's a problem.
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Spliter safety
I don't know what kind of splitter you have, but my dad taught me that the guy the runs the splitter sets up the wood. That way, if a finger or hand is in the way, you have a chance to stop before amputation. If it is the other guy running it and your hand is in the way, HE will never feel it and stop too late. The way you talked, I am unsure of how safe you are when you split. If you have a way to keep safe, then fine. I just don't want to see that kind of amputation. It would be bad.
I don't know what kind of splitter you have, but my dad taught me that the guy the runs the splitter sets up the wood. That way, if a finger or hand is in the way, you have a chance to stop before amputation. If it is the other guy running it and your hand is in the way, HE will never feel it and stop too late. The way you talked, I am unsure of how safe you are when you split. If you have a way to keep safe, then fine. I just don't want to see that kind of amputation. It would be bad.
Zodiac45
Paleostoveologist & Sawwhisperer
+1 deffinately agree Bama,
Maybe he means sets up the wood as in a wheelbarrow next to the operator? For sure only the splitter operator touches the wood on the I beam. Fastest method is 3 people. one bringing the wood, one operating the splitter and one clearing/stacking splits.
wireedm
ArboristSite Operative
ONLY hold logs on their sides when putting them on a splitter, then its not a problem. Holding the logs on the ends and it will be a matter of time.
Now, back to the thread.
drmiller100
ArboristSite Guru
if you pour water onto the ram, or oil tank, and it boils off, it is too hot.
if you can even dream of putting your hand on it, then it is plenty cool.
if you can even dream of putting your hand on it, then it is plenty cool.
Don't worry, i always keep safety in mind. I do operate the lever, but like others have mentioned, the guy (brother) who holds the logs, holds it on the sides. I keep my attention on the wood, and don't get distracted. Thanks for the concerns though.
