Lickety Split Log Splitter Problem

[hunting09999]

Hi everyone,
I have a 60mk lickety split log splitter. It will split a 5ft log. Ive had for many years and never have I had problems with it until now. I started splitting in the cold weather with it for the first time and the cylinder was starting to act up. You would pull lever and it takes about 6 seconds till cylinder would start to move. then when it goes it seems a little slow. When it reaches the log it sits for maybe 3 seconds and then starts again.Llike builds up more pressure and begins splitting. As it builds and if the wood pops apart maybe due to being frozen the cylinder extends all the way out like a rocket and slams into the wedge. Launching the split wood 30ft. How dangerous is that. Talked to webbs and couldn't read filter number so I ordered one. going to flush system and see what happens.
Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Being told this unit is a rare breed being that its a split rail fence log splitter from lickety split

Thanks

 

[Jakers]

you have air in the cylinder. you will need to fill the oil reservoir and bleed the system. if the reservoir is full of oil but its really foamy then id venture to guess you have a loose fitting or line on the suction side of the pump introducing air in the system. in any case, the air needs to be removed and the cylinder bled out. if your oil is foamy id suggest draining it (probably due for new fluid anyway) and putting in new. ISO 32 for cold weather only, ISO 46 for a mix of summer and winter or just summer. AW 32 or 46 is the same thing just AW instead of ISO. if you dont use it much in the winter any universal hydraulic oil will work. if its winter only, go for the thinner ISO 32. pretty simple to bleed the air by just running the ram full extend and retract a few times then shutting it off to let the air bubbles collect. the next day, check/fill the oil again and cycle it a few more times. then try it on some wood

EDIT: if the oil is full and not foamy but it has been sitting the air will have rose to the surface and the bubbles popped leaving just oil. check for a loose fitting or hose clamp and repair as needed

 

[hunting09999]

Thanks Jaker,going to pull it in barn and warm up and see if things change. Going to drain and see if any junk in oil and check large hoses for decay. I don't have a gauge but I believe there's a spot for one. Should I invest in one and then check pressures at different intervals. Is there a pdf file for this. I have the original owner's manual but not here at home with me rite now. Don't think it state's that in there though

 

[Jakers]

a guage is always a good idea. they can easily be tee'd into the main pressure line. i know nothing about your splitter but a general knowledge of hydraulics is enough to point to air in the cylinder. the jumping to full extend stroke is a dead giveaway. check the oil level first. you may just get away with filling it and being good to go after a few cycles. air is extremely hard on hydraulic pumps but no use messing with it if it works so just fix the air problem and run it till it pukes

 

[hunting09999]

Sounds good
Thanks again

 

[rarefish383]

Just want to verify, the 60 MK is one of the old big ones with two stage cylinder, with pressure valves? I had one but I think it maxed out at 3' or 4', and was adjustable down to about 16" or 18". The throttle is hooked to the valve lever and throttles up as it extends and then throttles down as it retracts. It also had an auto cycle so it would continue cycling as you just dropped logs on the slide. It was a super cool old machine, Joe.

 

[hunting09999]

Yes joe,going to try to post some pictures in a couple of day's. Do you know how to set the auto featcher

 

[rarefish383]

I sold mine a long time ago and I gave my manual to the new owner. It either had a piece of linkage or cable that moved, or held, the lever forward as the cylinder retracted. There used to be a thread here on them and a couple guys had posted a lot of Knowledge on them. The guy that bought them out still has a lot of parts for them, a bit pricey, but if you need them. I'll do a search and see what comes up, Joe.

I reread your post and see you already know about Webbs.

 

[rarefish383]

Wow, I found one of the old threads. Click on forums. Scroll down to Equipment forums. Scroll down to Hot Saws, Scroll down to Collectors Corner. I bumped it to the top. I don't know how it wound up there. I think there was another much more informative thread, but I couldn't find it, Joe.

 

[rarefish383]

I had taken mine all apart, replaced the 8 HP Kohler with a 12 HP Kohler electric start. Took the rotted plywood floor out and milled a piece of White Birch for a new floor. I wanted to go through the whole machine. The cylinder is rebuildable. I had parts all over the place. I was still working at UPS and had little time for projects. One day my wife told me to go buy a new splitter and get rid of the old one, so I let it go. I have a friend that has one, I have never seen it, maybe it's time to ask to see it, Joe.

 

[woodsplitta]

My lickity, which also has the two stage cylinder, will act sluggish as the temps get colder but yours sounds like its low on oil. I was told to only use 30w oil in it so I figured colder temps would cause some issue. I have also noticed when the machine is sloped to the rear, IE engine lower than wedge, the cylinder will retract a few inches when shifting from high speed to low speed but will continue to split.

 

[hunting09999]

thanks woodsplita,read down through them and found a couple people with PDF's. sent out PM to see if i can get a couple. see what happens

Thanks

 

[hunting09999]

Here's some pictures of what I have

 

[blades]

when did they change the oil specs? always thought on hydro oil Higher number thiner material. Which is why I run 56 in my snowplow systems. If i ran 32 it would take 30 min. in sub zero weather to go from left to right. ( ya over statement)
Aw32- if the spliter sits out in real cold weather,can be a ***** to get it started unless there is a clutch system on the pump.
Mine sits in heated shop so I just run aw32 all year.

 

[super3]

You can get the same micron filter at Napa far less than Webbs.
I bought my first one from them many years ago ,it was new but it was rusty on the inside. I sent it back and crossed it to a Napa brand. #1553

Licity Splitters use 10W30 motor oil not hydraulic fluid.
You can use it ,it will perform better on motor oil.

O rings for the cylinder are #425 (2).

Shift cylinder adjustment

 

[rarefish383]

when did they change the oil specs? always thought on hydro oil Higher number thiner material. Which is why I run 56 in my snowplow systems. If i ran 32 it would take 30 min. in sub zero weather to go from left to right. ( ya over statement)
Aw32- if the spliter sits out in real cold weather,can be a ***** to get it started unless there is a clutch system on the pump.
Mine sits in heated shop so I just run aw32 all year.

Blades, the old Lickity Splitters are nothing like new ones. They were designed by the Waco Aircraft Co. It had a two stage cylinder that had two chambers inside. One chamber filled fast and extended the ram fast. Then when it hit a certain PSI it had a valve that switched to the other chamber and filled slower, but with much more force. It had 3 big coil springs that retracted the ram quite quickly. It also had a pivot on the axles that allowed it to lay flat on the ground so you could put a big log on it. Then you hooked a cable to the ram and it pulled it back up to working height. It had an auto cycle that kept the ram moving in and out. Would drive OSHA nuts. Way over engineered by today's standards. Really cool machines, Joe.

Super3, glad to see you are still around, you were a great help when I was playing with mine, Joe.

 

[super3]

Still here Joe,

Great explanation of the operation of these above.

I bent the top plate on mine in 2010 and give it a full rebuild.
Not near as purdy any more.

 

[blades]

I have heard of cylinders built along those lines before.

 

[hunting09999]

super3,
I just did the same thing on monday,ordered it from webbs. spoke a couple of times with lowell and definitely not a warm and fuzzy guy. I do understand he has a business to run but keeping people interested in you is also a side of business also. I paid like almost $40.00 dollars for the damm thing and will do a parts look up on next one. thought i would try to spend something with him to see if attitude changes. just got PDF emailed to me from someone else here on the forum,but thanks for picture

 

[super3]

Yep, he is awful proud of his parts.

I have heard of cylinders built along those lines before.

3" and a 5" cylinder all made into one.