Another: Rate this splitter please

[SawdustSA]

I finally picked up the splitter this morning. It was still only partially assembled in the shop. I had to pack the wheel bearings with grease and fit them myself to get it loaded. Then spent the afternoon re-fitting all the hoses etc and filling all the oils at home. 2 Pulls and the motor started perfectly.

It was kind of scary the way the splitter forced its way through the knotted eucalyptus I had. I eventually removed the 4-way blades. I am nervous that I might break something. This thing is more powerful than I anticipated! The explosive cracks it made was a bit too much. I will get some more wood tomorrow to split. Happy so far!!

 

[Pennsyltucky Chris]

How much splitting will you be doing, cords per year?

 

[SawdustSA]

I did around 8 cords by hand over the last 12 months. I only burn 2 a year. So I'm well ahead.

There seems to be a need for good firewood in my area. So the plan is to start selling as of next winter, which starts in May 2015 around here in the South. Not on a large scale, just among friends to start off.

 

[SawdustSA]

I just thought of something here. I notice that most other splitters have a breather cap on the hydraulic tank. Mine does not have one. Is this important?

 

[Jags]

It most likely has "something" in the system. It really does have to allow for it to breath. It could be as simple as a pinhole in the cap. If it didn't - on the push stroke you would collapse that tank like an empty beer can.

 

[SawdustSA]

OK, so far the tank is still square, so it should be ok I guess. It does not have a filler cap, just a plug like in the photo. Maybe I should get a breather which will fit in there, just to be safe.

 

[Jags]

Unless it is making you itchy and twitchy I would just leave it as designed. It is obviously working as is.

 

[SawdustSA]

Makes sense, thanks!

 

[Jags]

Makes sense, thanks!

And the other part of this is...if you put a proper breather on that tank it is gonna be something else to get banged on. Splits have a tendency to go errant once in a while.

 

[Butcher]

I would bet the filler cap has a small hole in it to breath. One thing I am not seein after a relook at all the pics is a filter for the hydraulics. Is it just out of view or non existent.?

 

[Ski-Patroller]

I actually like the front end face mount for the cylinder. it is one of the preferred mounting designs for long stroke cylinders. You do need to watch that the frame does not flex enough to put a side load on the rod.

 

[SawdustSA]

I would bet the filler cap has a small hole in it to breath. One thing I am not seein after a relook at all the pics is a filter for the hydraulics. Is it just out of view or non existent.?

I don't see a small hole in the filler plug.

There is no filter at the moment. I would like to fit one but both the inlet and outlet from the tank are very low and the filter might touch the ground. Not sure how to remedy this?

 

[SawdustSA]

I don't see a small hole in the filler plug.

There is no filter at the moment. I would like to fit one but both the inlet and outlet from the tank is very low and the filter might touch the ground. Not sure how to remedy this?

One option is to used the filler plug for the filter inlet/return. Then I just use the plug to close off the original return hole at the lower end of the tank. Only problem with this method might be that the filter will be exposed to dropped rounds etc. What do you think?

In this photo you can get an idea of the location of the return and filler holes.

 

[SawdustSA]

I suppose these are my 2 options:

Edit: I see you can fit the filter sideways as well. Will this be ok?

 

[triptester]

Another option would be to mount the filter on the tounge with a short hose to the original return port. Mounting the filter on the tounge in the vertical position,as shown on the Splitez, will allow for servicing with almost no fluid loss. The fill plug should not be used for the return line because it does not extend below normal fluid level. Return fluid just dumping into the tank will add air to the fluid.

 

[SawdustSA]

Thanks, never thought about the air bubbles. I agree, the vertical position as on the red splitter makes the most sense. I'll have to drain the oil to get the filter fitted but thereafter it should be simple to replace the filter element.

Edit: Mounting it on the Tonque: Do you mean on the horisontal beam as in the photo? Never thought of that.

 

[triptester]

Yes on the tube that has the hitch, where the arrow is in the previous post.The filter would be out of harms way and easy to service.

 

[SawdustSA]

I fitted the new filter today. It is not the ideal position as the front stabilizer cannot be raised when towing. I never tow it anyway.

I moved it closer to the tank initially but the hydraulic hose made a kink when bending it too sharply. I could not get any 90° elbows at the hydraulic shop. I also need to lengthen the return hose as at the moment it is too short to go into vertical mode. I only split horizontal so that is ok for now.

I also checked and the filler plug does have a hole in it to allow breathing to the tank.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[triptester]

The filter could be rotated so it is either along side the square tube or with the filter cartridge above the tube.

 

[SawdustSA]

I managed to find and fit an elbow which allowed me to move the filter closer to the tank. I think this is the best position to have it. Out of harms way too.

 

[ironspider]

That looks like the perfect spot!