LOG SPLITTER KNOW-HOW
speed
for speed: use a smaller cylinder, and a bigger pump and motor
for return speed cosider a dump valve
for speed in the cutting stroke we recommend a regenerative circuit. speeds up dramatically until it hits the wood, then uses max speed utilizing all power available to split. adjusts speed to prevent motor from stalling
short bits of log splitter wisdom
for speed: use a smaller cylinder, and a bigger pump and motor
work SHARPER not HARDER. a sharp blade is much more efficient, can use a smaller cylinder, uses less power.
Better STEEL. to keep blades sharper for longer use the right steel, we recommend HARDOX 500 abrasion resistant steel.
If your old splitter gets HOT: we frequently get requests for bigger hoses, bigger oil tank or oil coolers for splitters that ran well in the past but now get HOT. If it was ok before and gets hot now, that’s not problem with the design, that’s not climate change related, that’s WEAR! (see section for maintenance and tests).
tests - figure out what's wrong cheaply before spending money on parts
Cylinder seal worn? Quick test: move the cylinder into the full up. put the oil return hose in a bucket. push the control lever to “up”. Of course the cylinder won’t move, it’s already up. Any oil that comes out the return hose is leakage, thats wear. Leakage reduces available force, wastes power and heats the oil.
Pump worn? You need a pressure gage to test the switchover pressure and maximum pressure. If the pump can’t make nameplate pressure, it could be worn.
Infrared Thermometer. Worn parts create heat. If the outlet of any component is much hotter than the inlet, that’s a good indication of a problem.