Wood Splitter Woes???

I think I am okay...just never had this happen before...

Got out of work early today. Cloudy and 35f. Got out the wood splitter to split up sounds rounds.

The splitter started right up. Running fine like it always does. I use good fuel and checked my fluids. I split up about 5 rounds and the ram started shaking and almost freezing up about halfway down the beam in either direction, made a heck of a rumble. I shut the machine down and went over it and couldn't find anything. The thing isn't rusty or warped anywhere on the I beam...the only thing I could think of was that the bottom of the Wedge was getting seized up on it's travel. I put a decent amount of bar oil on the top of the I beam and things were running like always.

...did I take care of the problem, or just put a band aid on it?

I have never had that problem since it was new in 1983...It wasn't that cold out...the rounds had some snow pack on them and that turned to water on top of the I beam...could that have caused this problem?

Thanks for the in put.

 

I think you nailed it. Is there some plastic plates around your wedge to keep from metal to metal contact? THey might need replaced?

 

Debris build up? Does the bottom of your slide have grease fittings?

 

No plastic plates...don't think they even thought of that in 1983.

Not really any debris build up...water and a little ice from the snow that fell off the rounds. No grease fittings.

I have used this for years, never had a need to grease it and never had anything like this happen.

 

Then maybe where the ram piston attaches to the splitting head is worn? That could cause it to bind up, no?

 

Could there have been some ice in the hydraulic fluid?

 

Lol good point! Take a pic of the beam/wedge area and post it up. Mabe it will give FHC some ideas??

 

I changed the filter and the fluid this past fall...1st time ever...hmmm...should have left well enough alone...just joking.

...planning on changing the spark plug this spring...still has the original...still starts on 2nd or 3rd pull.

 

There is a bolt through it...also original...but there is about an 1/8 inch of play...been that way for years...a new carriage bolt can't hurt though.

 

I can take a picture or two tomorrow and post them.

It's definitely old school, made with great steel, and to me she is a beautiful beast.

 

Check for cracks in pins or bolts? Where cylinder mates to frame, wedge to ram, etc.

 

My guess. Pump is dying. The shaking was lack of fluid.

 

A lot of good things for me to check out tomorrow...I will have to do an update and let you guys know...I appreciate the input.

 

In the mean time:

 

You splitting vertical or horizontal? If horizontal, that might be your problem. Where was your milk crate in relation to the splitter?

 

I LOVE that axe. Cant tell you how much wood ive chopped with one!

 

Sounds to me like you possibly have air in the hyd. system. Cycle it fully in both the horizontal and vertical position if it continues. Naturally make sure there is fluid on board! A thought.

The axe post is perfect A fine tool.

 

I have experienced this myself once or twice. The common factor was the beam was wet/snow. No build up of debris or worn areas. Didn't seem to slow at all though. I believe the wet surfaces bind against each other. Only did it for a few seconds during a no load stroke, kind of a chattering sound and shook the whole splitter, and then worked fine the rest of the time. Splitter is a Speeco 22 ton

 

Just Horizontal today...that sounds lazy and wrong for some reason.

 

...I did fully cycle it a few dozen times while splitting before this happened. I thought the hydraulic system on a wood splitter what an open system, wouldn't it be pretty difficult to have any real problem with air then?