Replacing/upgrading engine for Speeco 22-ton splitter

[thesmackdown]

Sooooo, I have killed another B&S 675 vertical shaft engine on my splitter.

Based on this thread and picture in particular I was thinking it's time to upgrade.

https://www.arboristsite.com/commun...2-ton-log-splitter.306925/page-3#post-6182699

I thought I'd go with this engine:

https://www.harborfreight.com/13-HP-420cc-OHV-Horizontal-Shaft-Gas-Engine-EPA-60340.html

And this pump setup:

https://www.ruggedmade.com/16-gpm-pump-coupler-pump-bracket-combo-kit.html

Anything to beware or avoid? Would it be worth going with a larger cylinder also?

Thanks!

Evan

 

[Streblerm]

16gpm might be a bit much for the amount of oil in the reservoir. I think it’s about 5 gal. It might be ok depending on how long and hard you use it. The 8hp engine is enough according to the spec sheet for the 16gpm pump. It would be fast if you go that way.

A better option might be the 6.5hp engine with the 13gpm pump. Cheaper too. You would still see some good speed gains.

The only way to make it more powerful would be to add a bigger cylinder. Then you are up against the limitations of the fluid volume and potentially the strength of the beam designed for a 22ton splitter. Better to buy the 35ton splitter at that point.

 

[thesmackdown]

Hmmm. Interesting - how much more volume would be necessary to be "safe".

 

[Streblerm]

Conventional wisdom says one gallon of fluid per Gpm of flow when designing a system. The 22ton speeco is more like 1/2 gallon of fluid per Gpm of flow and seems to be fine although the fluid does get pretty warm on mine. If you go to a 16gpm pump you are closer to 1/3 gallon/gpm.

Excess heat in a hydraulic system is not your friend. 180F is where the seals in the system will start to fail.

 

[ChoppyChoppy]

My processor has about 50gpm of pumps and about a 25 gallon tank. It has a cooler though.

 

[thesmackdown]

16gpm might be a bit much for the amount of oil in the reservoir. I think it’s about 5 gal.

I currently have ATF in the splitter because of the cold weather. I thought I read someone was running ATF year round - would that help or increase the overheating?

 

[Streblerm]

ATF is probably around a 10wt oil. Should be fine for the splitter all year unless you live somewhere really hot.

It isn’t really the weight of the oil that makes the heat as much as how fast it is pumping through the system.

 

[sbhooper]

I put a Predator on my 22-ton and it worked very well.. I upgraded, so that splitter got sold, but I was totally happy with it.