Hydraulic splitter auto return design

[18 stoner]

Heres the story;

 

I have an old, self made splitter, tractor mounted horizontal that i feel i can bring back to life with a little modification.

 

It currently runs direct from the tractor spool valve, therefore needing someone on the tractor.

 

What i intend doing is buy a self centering spool block(that i can get new £70 + vat) and fitting it to the side of the splitter, therefore making it single person operation. Nothing too complicated there.

 

But, where i am asking for advice is, i would like it to self return, so if anyone knows of diagrams or just has ideas to put forward as a design i would be really grateful.

 

Many thanks, Pete.

[Dean Lofthouse]

All mine does is have the spool valve mounted vertically and the weight of the handle pulles the spool valve down operating the up stroke, when the blade comes up it hits a lever that pushes the spool back to centre

[gensetsteve]

I have a sheppach ox 9 . Mega bit of kit with the auto return. I would imagine far more efficent and safe than I could design and build in a 100 years. You may be able to work out which valve is fitted from their parts list. The auto cuts the time in half because as you pick up the next ring its ready to go again. I can split rings and load truck nearly as quick as our hakki processor and the sheppach has never needed repair unlike the hakki.

[treequip]

You can buy a valve that will semi automate the job for you. What you need is called a hydraulic knock/kick out valve. You need to get it set spring return between forward and centre and detented to the back position.

 

When you push forward the ram extends, if you let go the ram stops. When you push backward the handle stays there (unless you change it) until the ram meets resistance, which will be either when the ram is fully retracted or at a stop you put in at which point the handle will flick to the middle (stop position)

 

See flowfit

Flowfit HYDRAULIC LOG SPLITTER KITS

 

Andy

[18 stoner]

All mine does is have the spool valve mounted vertically and the weight of the handle pulles the spool valve down operating the up stroke, when the blade comes up it hits a lever that pushes the spool back to centre

 

That valve sounds like the other type to the one i was thinking of Dean. Not sure what the real names are for them but one will return to center when released, the other will stay in position until moved back to center(that i believe is on yours).

 

Not ordered the valve yet, so no worries yet. I'll get whatever is the best one for the job.

[Dean Lofthouse]

I'll try and photo it and get any numbers off it