Question about Brave logplitter

[PA. Woodsman]

I have a Brave 24-ton logsplitter that I bought in 1996. Lately the handle that you pull on to make the wedge split the wood won't return on its own, I have to push it so it goes back to return the wedge. However once the splitter has been running for awhile and heats up it works on its own. I had a similiar problem years ago and called the manufacturer and they told me there are bearings encased in a round plastic cylinder and to loosen the screws of it and "gently rattle" it around-this did nothing. I know I can call them again when they are open on Monday but I always get great advice here so thanks in advance for any help!

 

[lon]

I had an Iron and Oak, same company makes Brave, and it did the same as yours. Once it warmed up, the valve would work correctly. In the manual it explains how to adjust the valves. Adjustments need to be done when the fluid is warm. If the splitter works correctly after it has warmed up, I would leave it alone. If you adjust the valves to operate correctly when the oil is cold, it might do the opposite when it warms up. Might also check your filter and fluid level. Hope this helps.

 

[triptester]

Depending on the brand of valve that was used on your splitter the fix can be simple. The newer Brave splitters use an Energy brand control valve on which you can remove the rear dust cap held on by 2 cap screws. With the valve in the center position remove the dust cap and the handle,push a small amount of grease into the rear of the detent while turning the spool. This will usually lubricate the detent assembly. Do not push or pull spool while the dust cover is removed.

 

[saxman]

My Brave is a 26 ton and is 6 years old. It does the same thing, I adjusted my detent when it was new because it was to tight and was hard to operate. It works just right now after the fluid warms up so I am leaving mine alone. I think they are great splitters

Steve

 

[shansen]

From your description of the problem, your detent assembly is getting weak. When the oil is cooler it is more viscous and therefore the pressure required to retract the cylinder is greater than when it is warm & less viscous. The kickout pressure is not adjustable on our valves, (I am assuming your valve is made by Energy Mfg. Co., Inc since we sold them to Brave and Iron & Oak for years & years).
You can remove the detent cover and rotate the outter most detent sleeve 1/8 of a revolution to make the balls ride in a new location within it. DO NOT PULL THE SLEEVE OR SHIFT THE HANDLE WITH THE DETENT COVER REMOVED. The balls are spring loaded and i don't want you to lose any parts. grease the balls while you're at this. If this does not help, there is a small spring under the large ball within the detent sub-assembly. it has probably taken a set. It could be shimmed 0.050" - 0.060". If you don't want totackle that, the detent cover assembly can be replaced. The part number is 36561B. it can be purchased on our website: Log Splitter Valve and Accessories by Energy® Manufacturing Company, Inc.
Your valve is likely stamped on the end of the detent cover with part number C-1048. The C-908 available to the public is made of all the same parts, just configured slightly differently. Hope this helps.
Steve Hansen
Applications Engineer
Energy Manufacturing Co., Inc.
(319)-465-3537 X-402
(319)-465-5279 FAX
[email protected]

 

[PA. Woodsman]

Thanks to all for your help and thanks Steve for all of that information! I called Brave a few days ago and they said the Energy Valve part # 004117 that I have is not adjustable; they recommended that I loosen the screws on the cover but don't take them all the way out, "jiggle" that cover around and at the same time move the lever in and out....I did this about 7-8 times but I did not try it after that; I wasn't using the splitter today but thought I'd try it and I'll see next time I use it if it helped or not. They were very forceful in telling me to not remove the screws or I'd have a mess like you said!

THANKS for the great info-rep sent!

 

[PA. Woodsman]

Update!

Thanks to all for your help and thanks Steve for all of that information! I called Brave a few days ago and they said the Energy Valve part # 004117 that I have is not adjustable; they recommended that I loosen the screws on the cover but don't take them all the way out, "jiggle" that cover around and at the same time move the lever in and out....I did this about 7-8 times but I did not try it after that; I wasn't using the splitter today but thought I'd try it and I'll see next time I use it if it helped or not. They were very forceful in telling me to not remove the screws or I'd have a mess like you said!

Just wanted to update you guys that were having the same problem that I did what Brave told me to do (listed above) and today I used the splitter and it worked like a charm! The handle retracted everytime and right from the beginning too so I was pleased and wanted to pass this on to you all!

 

[LowVolt]

So it has been a while, is the control valve still working like it should?

I am having the same problem with my brave splitter. I will try the method that is listed above when I get a chance.