My dad acquired a wood splitter project at auction from my deceased grandfa ther's estate. It was incomplete. He added an engine and had it painted. It will cycle the ram to the piece of wood then stop. The pump on it my grand father installed was a Vickers vane pump but no other markings on it other than several paten numbers.
I am assuming the pump is too small. I wanted to know what you guys think. Here is a picture:
I am assuming the pump is too small. I wanted to know what you guys think. Here is a picture:
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The critical parts specific to a log splitter are a two-speed gear pump and a control valve that latches in position for reverse but NOT forward.
The two-speed pump automatically downshifts to 1/4 the flow rate when the cylinder pressure reaches ~600 PSI, so it retracts and advances quickly under light loads and doesn't stall the motor during a difficult split. The relief valve may be part of the control valve assembly. The pressure gauge is optional, and a weak point due to the vibration. If you want one it should be snubbed and filled with glycerin or the needle will vibrate into an unreadable blur.
Mine which was assembled by someone else from Northern Tool components has a 5.5 HP engine, an L095 Lovejoy coupler, an 11 GPM pump and a
3-1/2" cylinder, which all work well together. I recently discovered that the engine mounting plate had warped from welding and was distorting the engine crankcase. It's flat within a few thousandths now, thanks to an afternoon of grinding and filing.The plastic pump bracket #3030-1751 has enough give that the bolts loosen, so I drilled and safety-wired them. It fits a 5.5HP Tecumseh and the 6.5 HP Predator from HF. The advantage of a direct mount on the engine is no side loading on the pump shaft bearings.
I can't tell if there is a strainer screen between the reservoir and the pump inlet. I made an in-line housing for one from a 1-1/2" pipe tee. The third opening is the drain plug.
--jsw
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