RepackboxRotoMetals2Load DataWideners
Reloading EverythingTitan ReloadingLee PrecisionInline Fabrication
MidSouth Shooters Supply
Results 1 to 17 of 17

Thread: Hydraulic Valve Question

  1. #1
    Boolit Master
    cabezaverde's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Out West in NY
    Posts
    1,542

    Hydraulic Valve Question

    I have a 3 point hitch log splitter that uses the tractor hydraulic pump.

    The control valve on the splitter is leaking pretty badly. Looks like I can pick up a new valve for around $100.

    At that price, is it worth trying to have the existing valve rebuilt?
    Founder of the Single Shot section.

    A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take everything you have.


    8 in the 10 ring, then I get a PING. Love my Garand.

  2. #2
    Moderator


    Winger Ed.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Just outside Gun Barrel City, Texas
    Posts
    9,484
    I'd get the shop manual for it.
    You may be able to change a $5. seal or gasket on it your self.
    Some old tractor websites sell rebuild kits for a lot of farm equipment.
    Until you get off into the pumps, there isn't much to rebuilding hydraulic things except seals and 'O' rings.

    If that's not practical, depending on how old it is, and how you value your time:
    I'd probably get the rebuilt valve and be done with it in the much shorter time.
    Last edited by Winger Ed.; 05-22-2020 at 01:18 PM.
    In school: We learn lessons, and are given tests.
    In life: We are given tests, and learn lessons.


    OK People. Enough of this idle chit-chat.
    This ain't your Grandma's sewing circle.
    EVERYONE!
    Back to your oars. The Captain wants to waterski.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master

    rancher1913's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    plains of colorado
    Posts
    3,640
    if you dont understand how hydraulics, especially how the control valve works internally, then replace the whole valve, you will be well ahead in lost time and aggravation. some valves are simple on off, some are multi function and divert the oil one way or another, just guessing but i imagine that valve does several operations.
    if you are ever being chased by a taxidermist, don't play dead

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
    metricmonkeywrench's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Location
    Virginia
    Posts
    1,107
    I’m in the take it apart first and try to fix it camp, best case 20c o-ring, worst case new valve. You never know until you get in there.

    Most of those circuits are fairly simple, dirt and metal chips are your worst enemy followed by age as seals harden and don’t hold tension as well.

    A pix of the valve in question would be helpful

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master


    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Aberdeen, South Dakota
    Posts
    7,136
    I can't answer to a log splitter specifically, but hydraulics as a whole use O-rings for seals. You likely only need to take off the offending end, and replace an O-ring that you can get from any hardware store for 30 cents.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master
    Mal Paso's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Carmel, Ca
    Posts
    4,121
    If the spool or the bore is warn replacing the seals is a waste of time. If it has had a lot of use or feels sloppy replace the valve. If it feels tight, no slop, replace the seals.

    The spool is that round thing inside the valve body attached to the handle usually with a link. It slides in and out. Maybe a snap ring retaining it? The o rings are seated in grooves around the outside of the spool.

    If the splitter has a detent for an automatic ram return, that is a bolt like assembly the screws into the side 90 degrees to the spool. That should be removed before the spool.
    Last edited by Mal Paso; 05-22-2020 at 10:43 PM.
    Mal

    Mal Paso means Bad Pass, just so you know.

  7. #7
    Boolit Grand Master


    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Aberdeen, South Dakota
    Posts
    7,136
    I had not even considered that you may mean leaking internally. If that is what you mean, no it is not worth rebuilding valves. If the spool is worn, the bore is worn, and often the oil has eroded another path anyway.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master
    cabezaverde's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Out West in NY
    Posts
    1,542
    Okay, figured I had nothing to lose taking the valve apart. Worst case I will have to buy a new one.

    Here is what came out. I was surprised it only had one "O" ring. Thoughts on this?

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_0899.jpg 
Views:	35 
Size:	40.4 KB 
ID:	262586
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails IMG_0899.jpg  
    Founder of the Single Shot section.

    A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take everything you have.


    8 in the 10 ring, then I get a PING. Love my Garand.

  9. #9
    Boolit Master
    metricmonkeywrench's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Location
    Virginia
    Posts
    1,107
    Don’t look too bad from what I can see, check the housing as well there may be an O-ring or two in it as well.

  10. #10
    Moderator


    Winger Ed.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Just outside Gun Barrel City, Texas
    Posts
    9,484
    Looks OK.
    There should be another oil seal or O ring at whatever place it was leaking, maybe the housing that shaft goes into.
    I'd find the leaking part, change it, put it back together, and live happily ever after.

    Then put the money you saved into the 'gunpowder and Whiskey' fund.
    In school: We learn lessons, and are given tests.
    In life: We are given tests, and learn lessons.


    OK People. Enough of this idle chit-chat.
    This ain't your Grandma's sewing circle.
    EVERYONE!
    Back to your oars. The Captain wants to waterski.

  11. #11
    Boolit Grand Master


    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Aberdeen, South Dakota
    Posts
    7,136
    Again, never worked on a log splitter. My experience is in things like CNC, die casting machines, some large equipment. In that case, there are multiple O rings for multiple ports. Being as yours is a basic two way valve, and your ports are what the oil lines hook up to. I'm not surprised there is only a single o ring. The spool should seal on its own, and the one o ring only serves to keep oil from coming up the shaft. I doubt you will see an oil seal. You see oil seals in hydraulic cylinders, but that's mostly because they have to seal a moving piston rod. An o ring is a superior seal for a system that runs high pressures, and I'm sure even a log splitter can see 3000-4000 psi.

  12. #12
    Boolit Bub gwrench's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2019
    Location
    Northern Colorado
    Posts
    62
    Talk to the local bearing/industrial supply to get a replacement rubber parts. I'm fond of X rings rather than O rings. The profile obviously gives 2 sealing points and gives a spot where some grease can be put to keep everything happy and smooth. These parts are cheap so get the best you can find for less than lunch costs.

  13. #13
    Boolit Grand Master


    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Aberdeen, South Dakota
    Posts
    7,136
    An X ring works great for pivoting surfaces. Something like a motorcycle chain is where an X ring excells. For a hydraulic oil seal, an O ring is correct for the job.

  14. #14
    Boolit Master
    cabezaverde's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Out West in NY
    Posts
    1,542
    Thanks for your help guys.

    The seal was like a flat o ring, looked sorta like a hose washer. Not having a nearby source I replaced it with an o ring, and the leak is stopped!
    Founder of the Single Shot section.

    A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take everything you have.


    8 in the 10 ring, then I get a PING. Love my Garand.

  15. #15
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Posts
    4,338
    The original may have been round when it started life. If they are the wrong material composition for the application they will shrink and harden to a new shape after being put through high pressure and the high heat that comes with it.

  16. #16
    Boolit Grand Master


    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Aberdeen, South Dakota
    Posts
    7,136
    Yes, old O rings often take on an almost square shape with time.

  17. #17
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Posts
    4,338
    Quote Originally Posted by megasupermagnum View Post
    Yes, old O rings often take on an almost square shape with time.
    And may swell when the o-ring material absorbs the fluid it's controlling.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check