Splitter Hydraulic Noise

[saxman]

I have a 26 ton Brave splitter, it has a 8HP B&S Intek engine and a 16GPM Haldex 2 stage pump. The other day while I was using it it developed a noise in the hydraulic system that sounds like it is restricted. I changed the spin on filter in the return line, which did not help. I called Brave to see if there was an inlet screen on this pump and they said no. I checked on-line to see if there was a diagram of a Haldex pump like this and could not find one. Anybody got any ideas or suggestions? thanks in advance for any ideas

 

[WoodTick007]

Did you look at your LoveJoy couplings? Just a thought...

 

[RaisedByWolves]

Got fluid?

 

[saxman]

Fluid yes, it is full, I took the hose loose and the top of the cylinder and held it in a bucket and pulled to lever to hopefully blow out any debris that can cause a restriction. As for the lovejoy coupling, is that the spider that hooks the engine to the pump? I think the noise is not as bad when the hydraulic oil gets hot, could the thicker oil cause this?

 

[Ombesb]

Can you describe the noise? All the time? Only when in wood? Or on return also? Worse at higher rpm? Sound better after drinking beer?

 

[saxman]

Well lets see, I don't drink beer so we can rule that out. The noise is louder at higher engine speeds, makes the sound during both the splitting stroke and return stroke. The sound is a high pitch whine, that makes me think it is a restriction somewhere in the system. When I took a hose off and shot fluid into a container there was no noise.

 

[Ombesb]

Took the hose off and it got quiet...... everything was unloaded then. One thing I used to do on big motors/ pumps, compressors was to squirt oil on the coupling when it was running and noisey.. messy, yes. But it answered straight away if there was a noise change or not. [ big motors / pumps didn't want to have to realign them if no need] What kind of oil are you using?? How cold is it where you are at?

 

[saxman]

I am using universal tractor hydraulic oil, I presume it is about a 10w oil but it is not that cold here, 40's-50's, still looks clean, I have used the splitter for about one year, 4 or 5 chords of wood. You think the noise could be from the coupler between the motor and pump? I will try that. Another reason I think it is something like an internal restriction is that the return detent on the prince valve kicks out, like it is at the end of the stroke, does that mean a higher pressure in the system? Thanks for your help

 

[Ombesb]

It COULD mean a higher pressure on the return side from the cylinder . As it seems you are aware, the detent senses a higher pressure when the cylinder stops. If it is kicking out prematurely, then there is possibly a higher pressure on that return side. Is the ram/ wedge, mechanically bound in any way?? Does the return seem slower than it was before the noise started?? And did the noise start all at once?

 

[saxman]

The wedge is free and does not bind. The noise is the same on extension and return of the cylinder and even when the cylinder is not being used. I think I will lubricate the coupler today and see if it makes the sound change, if not I think there is something going on internally with the pump.

 

[woodchop]

Check for a bad input shaft bearing on the hydraulic pump.

 

[saxman]

Can the input shaft bearing be changed or should I just get a compete pump? The spitter is only one year old and has not been used that much. I have lubricated the coupler between the engine and the pump and the wedge slide on the beam and it still makes the noised. I think I am going out and use it and see if anything changes or it completely blows up, either way I will know what to fix. Anymore ideas would be appreciated. Thanks for the help.

Steve

 

[Ombesb]

If the noise is a chopped whine , like a power steering pump that is low on fluid, yet you have no loss of speed, coupler is quiet, oil or not, ... looks like you have to go in the pump, as mentioned. If you have a bearing going bad, it would be better to have less scrap metal in the system as compared to more. Use a screwdriver, long, and listen to each end of the pump, see if there is a big difference.

 

[saxman]

Yes, the sound is similar to a power steering system with low fluid. I will check the bearing noise as you suggest. Will there be a big difference in temperature at each end? I have a infra-red thermometer I could use to check it out.

 

[Ombesb]

I would not expect a big temp difference unless it was getting real bad.

 

[Ombesb]

If the coupling is easy to get to, ... as easy as east goes.... loonem up both halves, pull the spyder and see if the shaft on the pump can wobble around a lot. Another thing to look for at that time is to slide the coupling havles as close to each other as possible , touching is best , and see if they are fairly well aligned. Shafts that are misaligned, either angular or linear, put a ton of load on the coupling and bearings.

 

[JeffHK454]

Sounds like pump cavitation, could have a pump loosing efficiency or drawing air in from a bad line or seal on suction side.

Just a possibility.

Jeff

 

[saxman]

Guys, an update: I ran it for an hour or so this morning and the noise is almost gone. I don't know what I did, maybe the wd40 on the pump coupling, I do think it was the pump as a source of the noise but I think is fluid related not a bearing, a bad bearing would make noise as long as the pump was turning, this noise was only when load was applied. Am I wrong? it could be air caused cavitation also. I am just going to run it and see what happens. If anyboday has any other ideas, please feel free to tell me. It is good to bounce ideas around.

 

[WoodTick007]

Try reading this

Please see attached file

 

[saxman]

Thanks WoodTick for the manual, I have my original and that was the first place I looked. I am just going to run it and see what happens. Thanks to all for their help.