farmall M log splitter problems

oppie_25 · Feb 4, 2009

I made a homemade log splitter and I am trying to run it off my Farmall M beely pump. I mounted a 2 way valve on the splitter. I have 2 lines comming off my standard M. 1 for pressure and the other going into a T on the vent/fill for the belly pump. I am using quick couplers to hook up the log splitter. I lock the hydraulic lever for the pump with a vice grip. Pretty standard stuff. I have it where the cylinder moves back and forth on the splitter but it does not have enough power to split wood. The one problem I see is I have fluid comming out of the fill/vent on the M when I try and split but I am thinking its because I over filled it. But it seems like there is alot of fluid on the ground. Another potential problem is my cylinder might be to small but I am not sure. Its a 24" stoke with a 1 1/2" shaft and a 3" body. Can someone tell me if this cylinder is to small or should I beable to split some kind of wood with it. And I am sure the M has the power but maybe not. Am I missing something or can someone tell me what it might be? Thanks

Anonymous-0 · Feb 4, 2009

You need to put a pressure gague in the hyd line and see what your M is putting out. It should run a splitter.

Bill in IL · Feb 4, 2009

I would say you have 2 problems. One is an M only has a system pressure of 1200-1500 psi or so. Combine that with the small cylinder you have 2.5" bore most likely if the body is 3" gives you a force of barley 6,000lbs. If you can find a different pump with higher pressure you maybe can make it work but splitters are generally built with 4-5" bore cylinders. Surplus center has hydraulic force calculators on their website to figure push power and just compare it to commercialy built units.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 4, 2009

No knowing anything about the "M", the proper connection points for pressure and return i can not address, but i would start with getting someone to provide you with the pressure and flow(gpm) of the pump on your machine, then a hyd formula will tell you the pounds of force you can expect to get from that cylinder. The bigger the cylinder bore the more force, but less speed, vice versa using a smaller bore cylinder.
rule of thumb would be a resulting force of about 14 times the pump pressure, on the face of the push plate,once the cylinder math is worked out,if i remember roughly that is

hopes it helps

thurlow · Feb 4, 2009

A 3 inch cylinder should split some wood, 'though it's smaller than most I have seen.

oppie_25 · Feb 4, 2009

So if I put a pressure gage on the pressure line I should get 1200 to 1500 psi? I will try that. Thanks

Curt from MN · Feb 4, 2009

Recently was told to run my return line into the drain port for the belly pump on my H instead of through a T at the fill port. With the vented cap the oil will choose path of least resistance and come out the vent hole. That or replace the vent cap with a closed plug but better to keep the vent active.

ken in texas · Feb 4, 2009

My thought is your cylinder is way too small.If you used a 6 inch you would have three or four times the spliting power,I once had a spliter with a briggs single cylinder engine and large hyd cylinder that would do a good job of splitting pine wood.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 4, 2009

Run the return back to the bottom of the res. Your cycl is too small should have a bore of 4in or so like other post says psi times area of cycl=force. Can you just cut a small piece off the side maybe you are taking to big of a bite. Too bad someone didnt know their hy systems before you started as that cycl just wont do verry much.

glennster · Feb 4, 2009

i agree with ken, the belly pump doesnt have enough pressure on the smaller cylinder. my m wont run this splitter with a 4 inch cylinder, so i run it off the pto pump on my b. 2250 psi pump. either a bigger cylinder or a pto pump will get er. tee your return line into the drain plug on the belly pump for your return.
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oppie_25 · Feb 4, 2009

Thanks eveyone for the advice. I am going to mess with it in the next couple of days. I am going to run the return line to the buttom like you guys said and try it. I also can borrow a pto pump to try. And if all fails I will get a bigger cylinder. Thanks

TractormanNC · Feb 4, 2009

Hey Oppie,
If you are using the belly pump on an M, I seriously expect that you will not get anywhere near 1200 PSI from it. Live hydraulics on the Super M were rated at 1200 PSI.
The early belly pumps were only rated at 450 PSI with the later ones being upgraded to 800 PSI. With many years of wear, all bets are off. The PTO pump is expensive but I think it is your best bet.

oppie_25 · Feb 4, 2009

Thanks, I think I am going to try that pto pump. Any thoughts on how I should go about making the tank and what ever else I need to do? Thanks

TractormanNC · Feb 4, 2009

Northern Tool & Equipment has everything you need. Tank probably cheaper than you can make it, strainer, filter, etc.

Wilson · Feb 4, 2009

if you are going to spend money on a new pump why not get mag drive and make the m live hyd with good pressure as you already have 2 way valve and can usr belly reservior rather than a new tank

greygoat · Feb 5, 2009

Maybe you could split PINE with that system !!!

farmall M log splitter problems

oppie_25

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Anonymous-0

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Bill in IL

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Anonymous-0

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thurlow

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oppie_25

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Curt from MN

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ken in texas

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Anonymous-0

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glennster

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oppie_25

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TractormanNC

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oppie_25

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