Palax Combi Problem

[Billhook]

The Palax has been very faithful since I bought it twenty five years ago but recently the ram auto return has been playing up

We can split ten pieces and it returns every time then it refuses maybe once maybe five times maybe for the rest of the session 

It seems simple enough as there are plenty of adjustments but we had a real good go at fixing it today to no avail

no 1 is looking down at the spool valve which operates the ram .  The plate hits the rod coming up from the spool and the adjustable stop on the next picture is hit by the ram going forward and triggers the return by flicking the rod the other way.  The adjustment on this stop limits the ram travel so that it doesn’t hit the knife

The next picture shows where that square rod is gripped by a bolt under the plate

I have tried adjusting all these points but it doesn’t make any difference .  The ram travel quickly when working well but seems to be slow when the fault occurs as though the spool valve has only been partially opened.

I cannot understand why the ram will not trigger the return every time as it hits the stop quite hard and the spool is the kind that clicks into either position, you do not have to hold it there.  A light tap with hammer or boot on the valve is all that is needed to make it return but this becomes tedious in a working day

Any suggestions would be welcomed 

(apart from just use a bloody axe Billhook!)

 

 

 

[peatff]

15 hours ago, Billhook said:

 A light tap with hammer or boot on the valve is all that is needed to make it return

 

This sounds pretty obvious, have you had the valve apart to see what's happening inside ? It's 25 years old and might need a little TLC, some Jizer and a blow down wouldn't hurt it.

[Brushcutter]

How long since a hydraulic oil change and any debris in the filter?  Sounds like the spool valve is got something sticking in it. you could replace it or strip the valve down and see if anything is worn inside. 

[renewablejohn]

Clean all the shit out from everywhere and then spray down with some clean oil and see if you still have a problem. Only time I had a problem with similar symptoms was due to woodchip not allowing the full travel of the control therefore not allowing the auto return.

[waterbuoy]

You know that thread which is currently running about air compressors.........?

[Billhook]

8 hours ago, peatff said:

 

This sounds pretty obvious, have you had the valve apart to see what's happening inside ? It's 25 years old and might need a little TLC, some Jizer and a blow down wouldn't hurt it.

Do you think I should suggest the same to my wife to improve things down under?

[peatff]

27 minutes ago, Billhook said:

Do you think I should suggest the same to my wife to improve things down under?

 

Definitely, it wouldn't hurt to freshen up a bit.😉 Womn lovew the smell of Jizer.

[Billhook]

9 hours ago, Brushcutter said:

How long since a hydraulic oil change and any debris in the filter?  Sounds like the spool valve is got something sticking in it. you could replace it or strip the valve down and see if anything is worn inside. 

 

1 hour ago, renewablejohn said:

Clean all the shit out from everywhere and then spray down with some clean oil and see if you still have a problem. Only time I had a problem with similar symptoms was due to woodchip not allowing the full travel of the control therefore not allowing the auto return.

Good advice from you both, thank you

[renewablejohn]

Dont keep us in suspence did the recommendations work or do you still have a problem.

[doobin]

On 18/02/2023 at 17:41, renewablejohn said:

Clean all the shit out from everywhere and then spray down with some clean oil and see if you still have a problem. Only time I had a problem with similar symptoms was due to woodchip not allowing the full travel of the control therefore not allowing the auto return.

This. When our Jappa has the same issue it's due to crud in the slot at the end of the ram stroke.