DLStryker
ArboristSite Lurker
My dad built a log splitter about 30 years ago. 8hp Briggs. Barnes 11gpm 2 stage pump. LS-3000-1 directional control valve. He only split about two cords of wood before he stopped cutting wood. I recently picked up the splitter and changed the hydraulic hoses, the fluid and the filter. This was mid summer (so, summer temperatures). The hyd oil tank is 5 gallons. Teh system if full of hyd oil and about 1 gallon of hyd oil in the tank. The top of the suction line hole in the tank is 2" above bottom of tank. Hyd oil is 3.5" above bottom of tank. Splitter worked fine. Split about 20 logs. Splitter has sit for about 2 years.
Just fired up the splitter. About 30 degrees F outside. Ram moves in and out very jerky. When ram extends and starts to split log, the ram stops. Engine does not bog down. Hyd oil in tank is aerated. A large amount of air is blowing out of the hyd tank filler pipe. I covered all suction line connections is a full surround of shaving cream. All you could see is a full covering of smooth shaving cream. I ran the ram in and out a few times. I inspected all of the shaving cream and saw zero evidence of a suction leak. I have the same test on the hyd pump shaft. Because of the set up, I was not able to do such a complete test on the shaft. I had limited access. When the shaft would spin, a small amount of the shaving cream would move away from the shaft. But, with what was there, I saw no signs of a suction leak.
Any thoughts?
Could I be getting cavitation because there is not enough oil in the hyd tank. Cold weather possibly thickening the oil and the 2 to 3 pound of pressure expected in the suction line being less that the 2 to 3 pounds. Do I need to fill the 5 gallon tank for winter temperatures? Or do you think I have a suction side air leak?
Just fired up the splitter. About 30 degrees F outside. Ram moves in and out very jerky. When ram extends and starts to split log, the ram stops. Engine does not bog down. Hyd oil in tank is aerated. A large amount of air is blowing out of the hyd tank filler pipe. I covered all suction line connections is a full surround of shaving cream. All you could see is a full covering of smooth shaving cream. I ran the ram in and out a few times. I inspected all of the shaving cream and saw zero evidence of a suction leak. I have the same test on the hyd pump shaft. Because of the set up, I was not able to do such a complete test on the shaft. I had limited access. When the shaft would spin, a small amount of the shaving cream would move away from the shaft. But, with what was there, I saw no signs of a suction leak.
Any thoughts?
Could I be getting cavitation because there is not enough oil in the hyd tank. Cold weather possibly thickening the oil and the 2 to 3 pound of pressure expected in the suction line being less that the 2 to 3 pounds. Do I need to fill the 5 gallon tank for winter temperatures? Or do you think I have a suction side air leak?
