Hydraulic valve operating question

[wingmaster]

Ok so i'm getting to grips slowly with how the levers work that operate the control valves for implements.

This is my understanding so far:

Single acting valve - only one pipe connects. When the lever in in position 1 oil is forced down the pipe which extends the ram. When the lever is in position 2 (middle) the valve is closed trapping the oil which holds the ram in position. When the lever is in position 3 the weight on the ram (or pressure from a spring inside the ram) forces the oil back down the pipe and through the valve allowing the ram to close. This is called a free flow return


Double acting valve - to pipes are connected. When the lever is in position 1, oil is forced down one pipe, and allowed to return down the other pipe, opening the ram. Lever position 2 locks the position and lever position 3 does the same as position 1 but in reverse.

Am i correct so far ?

This leads me into my question:

I have a log splitter which has a double acting valve on. This needs a constant flow and free flow return supply from the tractor. I am assuming that i will connect this to one of the double acting valves on the back of the tractor, but they don't have a hold open position, the lever always returns to position 2 (middle position) so i will need to hold the lever in position 1. This i can do with a bit of wood or rope. Am i going to damage the hydraulic system by doing this? Is there a more elegant way of doing this?

Tractor is an M7040

Thanks, and sorry if i have the terminology wrong....

 

[Tx Jim]

I have a log splitter which has a double acting valve on. This needs a constant flow and free flow return supply from the tractor. I am assuming that i will connect this to one of the double acting valves on the back of the tractor, but they don't have a hold open position, the lever always returns to position 2 (middle position) so i will need to hold the lever in position 1. This i can do with a bit of wood or rope. Am i going to damage the hydraulic system by doing this? Is there a more elegant way of doing this?

Tractor is an M7040

Thanks, and sorry if i have the terminology wrong....

Yes one needs to fasten tractor hyd control lever so oil flows through log splitter valve. You will not damage tractor if LS valve is an open-center type which it more than likely it will be.

 

[wingmaster]

Yes one needs to fasten tractor hyd control lever so oil flows through log splitter valve. You will not damage tractor if LS valve is an open-center type which it more than likely it will be.

Ok great. How would be able to tell if it is an open centre valve on the log slitter ?

 

[Tx Jim]

Place open end of splitter valve return hose in a 5 gal bucket. Plug in(pressure) hose into tractor then momentarily move tractor hyd control while engine is running and oil should exit open return hose.

Another alternative would be to utilize compressed air in lieu of tractor hyd oil pressure.

If splitter valve was closed center no oil or air would exit open return hose.

 

[nickelplated5s]

Someone else will chime in here but I'm pretty sure a hose sitting in a bucket won't do anything. In other words you would have to plug one end in and cut the other one off to find out if you had flow. Pressure gauges work for this too.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Someone else will chime in here but I'm pretty sure a hose sitting in a bucket won't do anything. In other words you would have to plug one end in and cut the other one off to find out if you had flow. Pressure gauges work for this too.

Tx Jim has it right, That is if you take off the quick disconnect and just have an open hose.