Splitter Hydraulic Noise

[EastwoodGang4]

Hydraulic relief valve

If the noise is only when the load is applied then check the system pressure. It should be somewhere in the 2500-3000 psi ballpark if the relief valve is opening prematurely then you'll get a high pitch squeal sound and a slight load on the engine. This sound can also be heard when the hydraulic cylinder is fully extended or retracted and the lever is held in the "move" position. A bad relief valve is caused by no.1 a bad relief pressure spring, and or no.2 a small piece of debris in the valve seat causing it to be open when not supposed to be. No.2 can also cause the sound to be heard at other times during the stroke of the cylinder.

 

[saxman]

Can this valve be accessed externally on the pump? I presume is is under one of the hex nuts on top of the pump. Thanks for the input

 

[EastwoodGang4]

relief valve

not knowing what your splitter looks like it's hard to say. In general relief valves are in the valve block with the direction spool (back and forth lever) but that doesn't mean it has to be. Look for a large bolt head somewhere on the back and forth valve maybe 3/4" or so. Remove it and see if there is a heavy spring under it. A heavy spring meaning a spring you can't compress with your fingers. If you find the one with the heavy spring it's the one you're looking for. Use caution not to lose any of the parts!!!! and make sure they are put back exactly how they came apart!! And DO NOT get any dirt in the parts or the hole!!!!!!!. use a magnet to pull out the little plunger under the spring and check it for dirt and or damage. If this valve is not seating properly it causes the oil to bypass at a low pressure and/or causing a funny noise and poor performance. This is just a simple check for debris or damage... to properly diagnose the hydraulic system you need to find a pressure gage to determine if the system relief pressure is correct. If you don't find what you're looking for on the direction valve, try looking for the same piece on the pump. It is possible that the pump has it's own relief. Just be sure you don't lose the parts or contaminate the system with dirt!!!!!!

 

[saxman]

Thanks for the information, I will look it over, I do think the relief spring is in the directional valve on this splitter.

 

[EastwoodGang4]

Just curious

Hey what did you find out? Did you do any more investigating?

 

[cuttinscott]

I have a 26 ton Brave splitter, I called Brave to see if there was an inlet screen on this pump and they said no.

No Screen on the inlet side of the pump.. This is one thing that will take out a pump all you need is a few chards of metal getting into the pump and it will be ruined. This is one of the things that separates box store splitters from the pro models. The sound you hear is the pump starving for oil. Are the hose clamps tight between the reservoir and the pump? How far up hill does the oil have to travel? Is the suction hose collapsing? Too much cavating of the pump will wear it out.

Just my .02

Scott

 

[CylinderService]

Whining noise from hydraulic pump

Yours sounds like a classic case of air infiltration, or possibly cavitation. Either creates tiny bubbles in the low pressure (suction) side of your pump, which then collapse violently as the oil is pressurized, causing a whining noise, and gradually eroding the inside of the gear housing. The noise is usually worst under a load, and quiets down when the pressure gets low. Cavitation is from a restriction in the suction line, or you could have a tiny air leak letting in a stream of bubbles. In either case you will need to fix the suction line to the pump before the pump is damaged. You should use real hydraulic suction line, which has an anti-collapse construction, and as few fittings as possible. If using pipe fittings, use a good quality hydraulic thread sealant (not plumbers dope.) Also make sure the hose is at least as large in diameter as the pump inlet - don't bush it down.

 

[saxman]

There is only a short piece of hose between the reservoir and the pump. It is secured with hose clamps. I will check to see if they are tight. I agree that it sounds like cavitation in the pump. Anymore ideas? Thanks again to everyone.

Steve