Newbie logsplitter question

[Malarky112]

Ok guys, I've been searching for days on the Internet and can't seem to find an answer.

I've got an older central hydraulics woodsplitter. I needed to replace the cylinder and I couldn't find an exact match, the newer one ports were about 1/2" farther apart.
My splitter is setup with the control valve piped right into the front of the cylinder with male to male NPT, and then the 1/2" steel tubing to the back of the cylinder.

1st question, does that high pressure line from valve to back of cylinder need to be steel tubing? I could replace with 3500psi hose easily with parts from tractor supply.

If it should be steel tubing, then where the heck can I buy it premade? My previous one was straight and too short. I've noticed on the newer splitters most of them have a bend built into them.

Thanks so much in advance. I'm pretty good with tools but this hydraulics stuff is all new to me.

 

[blades]

Yes the hard line/s can be replaced with 3500 psi hose. The only reason it was done the way you describe is to save a couple bucks by not making a mount for the valve.

 

[ChoppyChoppy]

Yup. My swisher had a metal line till a hired hand reversed a chunk of wood and broke the valve off the cylinder and ripped off that metal line.

Worst part is it happened as I was walking by, maybe 10ft away. Yup some nice roasting hot AW32 right in my eyes.

I replaced it with a standard rubber hose and made a mount for the valve.

The bend is to allow for some flex in the metal tube when it expands/contracts in length from heat and pressure, otherwise it would eventually fatique.

 

[Malarky112]

Thanks guys. So my options are to use hose and build some sort of mount.

Or to replace with steel tubing like original. Anybody have an idea where I could buy premade lengths?

 

[Rookie1]

You got any pics? My splitter has a male to male,nipple holding the valve then steel tube to the back end of the cylinder.

 

[Malarky112]

This is actually my buddies splitter but mine is setup the same way. Difference was my pipe was straight.

 

[triptester]

The tubing can be replaced with hose. It will require new fittings to match the hose. Be sure the hose is slightly longer than the distance between the fittings.

 

[dancan]

You might even be able to get rid of the 90* fitting at the end of the cylinder with a long enough hose .

 

[blades]

45 deg hi flow fittings on the cylinder and any where else you can use them. the 90's that the mfg's use are very restrictive, hi flow 90's are made also.