Can a hydraulic splitter be to fast

[Gamedic]

I was playing around on a log splitter speed calculator I found online. I filled in all the fields with different size cylinders and pumps just to get some ideas. One of the calculations was a 3 1/2 inch cylinder with a 20 inch stroke and paired with a 22 gpm pump.The cycle time was 4 seconds. I know that sounds ridiculous, but I started thinking. Is such a thing even possible or would the internals of the cylinder self distrucked under that kind of speed. I don't know anything about hydraulics. but I figured you guys could answer my question. Thanks.

 

[TXTreeSurgeon]

I am no expert, but I have seen tractors and backhoe's using hydraulics with faster cycle times than that. Seems to me like the faster the cycle time, the better! By the way, my dad is building a woodsplitter for me and I would like to make sure the cycle time will be fast enough. Can you post the link to that calculator?

 

[Somesawguy]

You have to remember that those numbers are without a load. Once you get into the wood, the pump will slow down to whatever the 2nd stage will pump. Usually it's around 16gpm or so.

 

[lone wolf]

I was playing around on a log splitter speed calculator I found online. I filled in all the fields with different size cylinders and pumps just to get some ideas. One of the calculations was a 3 1/2 inch cylinder with a 20 inch stroke and paired with a 22 gpm pump.The cycle time was 4 seconds. I know that sounds ridiculous, but I started thinking. Is such a thing even possible or would the internals of the cylinder self distrucked under that kind of speed. I don't know anything about hydraulics. but I figured you guys could answer my question. Thanks.

Sounds insane to me.That is way to fast to be safe.

 

[Gamedic]

Log Splitter Speed Calculator by International Hydraulics Here is the link if I pasted it correctly.

 

[sam-tip]

I use a 4" cylinder with 24" stroke with a max of 27 gallons/min (Bobcat Toolcat with highflow). Love it. Never measured the time but it is fast and keeps going.

I would realy like to try 36.5 gallons/min on a 5" cylinder with 30" stroke.

 

[Circle B MN]

Sounds insane to me.That is way to fast to be safe.

Kinetic splitters claim a 3 second cycle time and I've still got all nine of my fingers..

 

[Circle B MN]

I was playing around on a log splitter speed calculator I found online. I filled in all the fields with different size cylinders and pumps just to get some ideas. One of the calculations was a 3 1/2 inch cylinder with a 20 inch stroke and paired with a 22 gpm pump.The cycle time was 4 seconds. I know that sounds ridiculous, but I started thinking. Is such a thing even possible or would the internals of the cylinder self distrucked under that kind of speed. I don't know anything about hydraulics. but I figured you guys could answer my question. Thanks.

Keep in mind the heat it will generate and what you need to do to cool it.

 

[Hddnis]

I was playing around on a log splitter speed calculator I found online. I filled in all the fields with different size cylinders and pumps just to get some ideas. One of the calculations was a 3 1/2 inch cylinder with a 20 inch stroke and paired with a 22 gpm pump.The cycle time was 4 seconds. I know that sounds ridiculous, but I started thinking. Is such a thing even possible or would the internals of the cylinder self distrucked under that kind of speed. I don't know anything about hydraulics. but I figured you guys could answer my question. Thanks.

The calculator you posted gives a time of almost 5 second for these specs (assuming a 1 1/2" rod), not 4.


Here are some more calculators that let you know force as well. Surplus Center - Tech Help


Such speeds are no problem. Modern skid-steers and mini-excavators run much faster than that all the time, all day long. You'll need to make sure you have a hydro oil cooler when you start pushing the speeds.





Mr. HE

 

[TXTreeSurgeon]

Such speeds are no problem. Modern skid-steers and mini-excavators run much faster than that all the time, all day long. You'll need to make sure you have a hydro oil cooler when you start pushing the speeds.

Couldn't you keep the heat down by having more hydraulic oil capacity? It seems that 5 gallons of hydraulic oil could be run at some pretty high speeds before it overheats. I guess it all depends on how fast we are talking, but I think I would just prefer a large oil reservoir instead of running an oil cooler.

Maybe I am off-base, what do you guys think?

 

[Hddnis]

Couldn't you keep the heat down by having more hydraulic oil capacity? It seems that 5 gallons of hydraulic oil could be run at some pretty high speeds before it overheats. I guess it all depends on how fast we are talking, but I think I would just prefer a large oil reservoir instead of running an oil cooler.

Maybe I am off-base, what do you guys think?

More oil is one way to do it.

There are plenty of guidelines published on designing splitter systems, including cooling. I tend to lean towards more cooling is better.



Mr. HE

 

[CJ1]

Couldn't you keep the heat down by having more hydraulic oil capacity? It seems that 5 gallons of hydraulic oil could be run at some pretty high speeds before it overheats. I guess it all depends on how fast we are talking, but I think I would just prefer a large oil reservoir instead of running an oil cooler.

Maybe I am off-base, what do you guys think?

No you are not off base, I used a 20 gallon res and could run basically all day with fuel breaks and such. 24 GPM 6.5 second cycle times. More surface area=more cooling and time to heat up. 5 gallons, you would be hot in 45 min even with good plumbing unless it was 20 deg out. CJ

 

[moose5180]

I think my home made splitter is about 12 seconds.
This is about as fast as i can work, so anything faster would be a waste and probably take some fingers with it.
Personally i would not want one faster than about 8-10 seconds just for the safety factor.

 

[Kevin in Ohio]

Couldn't you keep the heat down by having more hydraulic oil capacity? It seems that 5 gallons of hydraulic oil could be run at some pretty high speeds before it overheats. I guess it all depends on how fast we are talking, but I think I would just prefer a large oil reservoir instead of running an oil cooler.

Maybe I am off-base, what do you guys think?

Here's a way to think about it. With a 28 gpm pump you empty and fill it over 5 times EVERY minute with a 5 gallon tank. Elbows, valves and smaller lines all restrict it and adds to the equation. If you run your splitter for hours it's easy to see how the heat builds. Hope this helps.

For a 28 gpm pump I was always told you need about a 30 gallon tank.

 

[blades]

Harbor Freight 30t with OEM plumbing 11 gpm pump about 5 gallons fluid in system do not remember cycle time, not fast. After about an hour of constant use you would not want to touch the cylinder for fear of getting blisters. Constrictions of all kinds plus an improperly located return line on the tank created the excess heat. Just to give an example of what friction in hydro system can result in.

 

[flyboy553]

Kinetic splitters claim a 3 second cycle time and I've still got all nine of my fingers..

Only one thumb? Or still have all three?
Ted

 

[flyboy553]

Can a splitter be too fast? NO
Can an operator be too slow? Yes

Ted

 

[CRThomas]

Speed

I took a three point 20 log splitter mounted it on a steel table a three hp electric motor. A 12 gpm pump a five gallon tank never over heats and it's faster than me. Run 6 hour in 80 to 90 degree weather. Never over heat. I also have a 20 ton on my tractor with princes 24 gpm pump it is faster than me. It has a 5 gal tank on it no over heat. I went to the 500 mile race one time didn't care for it. Speed does not split a lot of wood consistent does. That's my thought for now

 

[Haywire Haywood]

I've got a 28gpm pump and a 15 gallon tank on my splitter, and I can vouch for the fact that it gets hot after an hour of running. If I were to build it again, the tank would be bigger, the baffles inside would be different, and the return would be in a different place on the tank. Actually, the pump is rated for 28gpm but that's at 3600rpm, but the older engine running it only goes 3000. I have about a 6-7 second cycle time with my 4x24 cylinder.

Ian

 

[indiansprings]

Nope, can't make them too fast. Safety is in the hands of the operator.