Electric Splitter/ Way Off Topic

[Ian074]

I seem to always get good advice here this forum is usually pretty easy going about off topic subjects. So I though maybe you guys could give some insight.
I inherited a brand new electric log splitter. (Grizzly 5 ton)http://frontiernet.net/~jcaxtell/Split.jpg I know its not up to rigorous splitting but I plan to use it in the cellar to just split up kindling for our wood furnace when needed. For that it should work great. It is not here yet but I have been reading the owners manual on-line.
To operate, one has to simultaneously push the button to run the elec motor with one hand and push the hydraulic lever with the other. I guess this is what happens when China is allowed to make up tool safety guidlines. When fully extended or log is split one releases both button and hydro lever and the ram returns using springs.
Aside from the inconvenience(both hands) it seems to me that this constant on-off has got to be bad for the motor. But I really don't know anymore as motors may have improved since my day
My question is: Can the motor run constant, allowing me to just use the hydraulic lever? My tractor motor runs constant.
I the splitter has to work with the off/on motor I am thinking a thumb switch on the hydro lever might work to keep one hand free fo holding the beer can. Thanks for any help

 

[Bob Harvey]

Make sure you wear anti-slip gloves --so you don't drop the beer can ! ;^)

 

[Ramrod]

The motor must run only the hyd pump, so why not? The hyd system is capable of holding the constant pressure or you would know already. I would tie that switch down and let the motor run for several minutes and see what happens. Actuate the hyd a few times during the test as well. Watch the motor for over heating and look for leaks. If the motor gets too hot to hold your bare hand on it, then it's not capable of continuos duty, so you will need to go back to the switch after the burns on your hand heal up...

 

[Caryc]

If it was me, I'd use the thing as it was designed to be used as far as the mechanics of it.

Maybe one hand on the switch and one hand on the lever keeps your hands in a safe place instead of holding onto a beer can. OK, so maybe you were joking about that but you get what I mean.

 

[TheOldHokie]

(quoted from post at 13:21:07 12/03/10) The motor must run only the hyd pump, so why not? The hyd system is capable of holding the constant pressure or you would know already. I would tie that switch down and let the motor run for several minutes and see what happens. Actuate the hyd a few times during the test as well. Watch the motor for over heating and look for leaks. If the motor gets too hot to hold your bare hand on it, then it's not capable of continuos duty, so you will need to go back to the switch after the burns on your hand heal up...

That looks to be the same as the one sold by Northern Tool. If I understand the "plumbing diagram" in the manual I downloaded from NT it is a closed center hydraulic system using what appears to be a fixed displacement pump with internal pressure relief. When the motor runs the pump is deadheaded against the control valve until you crack it to either extend or retract the cylinder. If you rig the motor to run continuously it will be pumping against the relief valve cracking pressure full time resulting in a very heavy continuous load. I would expect a very short life span. All the hydraulic circuitry appears to be self contained in the pump and valve bodies which are bolted together and I see no way to replumb it.

TOH

 

[Ian074]

(quoted from post at 00:14:48 12/04/10) If it was me, I'd use the thing as it was designed to be used as far as the mechanics of it.

[b:7770ad5d4b]Maybe one hand on the switch and one hand on the lever keeps your hands in a safe place instead of holding onto a beer can.[/b:7770ad5d4b] OK, so maybe you were joking about that but you get what I mean.

Out in my shed I have a 28 ton gas powered splitter. I have used this for 10 years. It only requires one hand to operate so I just can't see the safety aspect of an electric 5 ton machine requiring two hands to operate. As a matter of fact it might just be more dangerous in certain situations.

 

[Ian074]

(quoted from post at 00:19:04 12/04/10)

(quoted from post at 13:21:07 12/03/10) The motor must run only the hyd pump, so why not? The hyd system is capable of holding the constant pressure or you would know already. I would tie that switch down and let the motor run for several minutes and see what happens. Actuate the hyd a few times during the test as well. Watch the motor for over heating and look for leaks. If the motor gets too hot to hold your bare hand on it, then it's not capable of continuos duty, so you will need to go back to the switch after the burns on your hand heal up...

That looks to be the same as the one sold by Northern Tool. If I understand the "plumbing diagram" in the manual I downloaded from NT it is a closed center hydraulic system using what appears to be a fixed displacement pump with internal pressure relief. When the motor runs the pump is deadheaded against the control valve until you crack it to either extend or retract the cylinder. If you rig the motor to run continuously it will be pumping against the relief valve cracking pressure full time resulting in a very heavy continuous load. I would expect a very short life span. All the hydraulic circuitry appears to be self contained in the pump and valve bodies which are bolted together and I see no way to replumb it.

TOH

Thank you! I guess now I will play with different switches. Perhaps a foot switch or a button on the hydraulic lever. Winter in the Northeast is tinker time anyway.

 

[TheOldHokie]

(quoted from post at 14:56:21 12/03/10)

(quoted from post at 00:19:04 12/04/10)

(quoted from post at 13:21:07 12/03/10) The motor must run only the hyd pump, so why not? The hyd system is capable of holding the constant pressure or you would know already. I would tie that switch down and let the motor run for several minutes and see what happens. Actuate the hyd a few times during the test as well. Watch the motor for over heating and look for leaks. If the motor gets too hot to hold your bare hand on it, then it's not capable of continuos duty, so you will need to go back to the switch after the burns on your hand heal up...

That looks to be the same as the one sold by Northern Tool. If I understand the "plumbing diagram" in the manual I downloaded from NT it is a closed center hydraulic system using what appears to be a fixed displacement pump with internal pressure relief. When the motor runs the pump is deadheaded against the control valve until you crack it to either extend or retract the cylinder. If you rig the motor to run continuously it will be pumping against the relief valve cracking pressure full time resulting in a very heavy continuous load. I would expect a very short life span. All the hydraulic circuitry appears to be self contained in the pump and valve bodies which are bolted together and I see no way to replumb it.

TOH

Thank you! I guess now I will play with different switches. Perhaps a foot switch or a button on the hydraulic lever. Winter in the Northeast is tinker time anyway.

I actually meant to suggest a foot switch but forgot to include that in my post. That is exactly what I would do.

TOH

 

[Caryc]

(quoted from post at 11:51:45 12/03/10)

(quoted from post at 00:14:48 12/04/10) If it was me, I'd use the thing as it was designed to be used as far as the mechanics of it.

[b:c426e8fcb5]Maybe one hand on the switch and one hand on the lever keeps your hands in a safe place instead of holding onto a beer can.[/b:c426e8fcb5] OK, so maybe you were joking about that but you get what I mean.

Out in my shed I have a 28 ton gas powered splitter. I have used this for 10 years. It only requires one hand to operate so I just can't see the safety aspect of an electric 5 ton machine requiring two hands to operate. As a matter of fact it might just be more dangerous in certain situations.

Having worked on machinery such as large presses that actually had two palm sized buttons far enough apart that you actually had to press one with each hand. The object was keeping your hands out of the danger area.

Let's face it some people are idiots and will manage to get their hands in a machine no matter how safe it is. That doesn't mean they should give up on building in safety features.

 

[lha]

I have a similar unit so I can speak to it.When I use it,I start the motor,then when it reaches full speed,push down the lever and only run the motor when needed.In my opinion,running the motor full time would burn it up.Mine will easily split 10" hickory logs.---lha

 

[teddy52food]

If you need both hands to run the machine,how do you hold the wood in place to start the split??

 

[TheOldHokie]

(quoted from post at 22:36:51 12/03/10) If you need both hands to run the machine,how do you hold the wood in place to start the split??

With your tongue????

TOH

 

[Caryc]

(quoted from post at 19:36:51 12/03/10) If you need both hands to run the machine,how do you hold the wood in place to start the split??

Maybe you could sit on it? :wink:

 

[Ian074]

(quoted from post at 08:36:51 12/04/10) If you need both hands to run the machine,how do you hold the wood in place to start the split??

With one leg or foot I guess. No matter how you look at it it is a half-as*ed system.

 

[TheOldHokie]

(quoted from post at 11:28:59 12/05/10)

(quoted from post at 08:36:51 12/04/10) If you need both hands to run the machine,how do you hold the wood in place to start the split??

With one leg or foot I guess. No matter how you look at it it is a half-as*ed system.

You seldom get more than you pay for and sometimes not even that ;-) With a foot switch I don't see it being a big deal operationally although the closed center system is a poor design IMO. You could always replace the cylinder and valve with some cheapy surplus components and use the existing motor to run a small hydraulic pump if you wanted to really fix it. Probably cost you a couple hundred bucks.

TOH