Log Splitter slow retraction - any ideas?

[StephenStephen]

We have an electric log splitter - Handy Splitter 6 tonne

It got low on oil - now filled.

It has started to retract after splitting really really slowly

any ideas why this might be and what we can do about it?

Many thanks for reading,

Stephen

 

[Burnerman]

There's usually a valve at the end of the ram that you close for transportation. .....is it open?
John

 

[StephenStephen]

There's usually a valve at the end of the ram that you close for transportation. .....is it open?
John

Yes it is

 

[StephenStephen]

We've discovered that the bolts which hold the ram bed onto the body have slipped down in their slots, meaning that the lever to retract hits the frame, and doesn't fully clear the button it pushes - repairs are ongoing!

 

[Burnerman]

Tired of trying to hold the electric push to make ON switch whilst juggling with the ram movement lever, I've replaced the push ON switch with an ON/OFF one......probably completely against H&S recommendations but at least it prevents me requiring a third arm
Give the moving anvil regular squirts with WD40 or similar.
John

 

[Roger928]

My neighbour pretty much removed his thumb with one of these last week. Its held on now with plates and screws.
Its a good idea to keep a close eye on the blade as it travels.

 

[StephenStephen]

We've discovered that the bolts which hold the ram bed onto the body have slipped down in their slots, meaning that the lever to retract hits the frame, and doesn't fully clear the button it pushes - repairs are ongoing!

Having fixed that, it was still hitting a nut on the body, I was about to reach for the angle-grinder, but the workaround is to slacken off the nut holding the ram movement lever, so the button it pushes can come out fully - I guess the fix would be some kind of adjustment in that button?

 

[Burnerman]

For sure, don't modify the hydraulic button in any way.....it has O rings around its shaft and the movement of the button is fairly critical. Feel free to bend slightly the lever that pushes it though - you can always bend it back again. Maybe the angle grinder method is just as good!
My own modification wasn't as good as I'd hoped......keeping the motor running was a good move, or so I thought - but the motor has to be stopped to allow the ram to retract. That I didn't know! However, allowing the hydraulic button to come out just a little more overcame this issue, but again the adjustment is critical. Just me trying to be too clever!
John