Replies

1. 
   logcrafter | Apr 12, 2009 10:59pm | #1

   I've had to do the same thing. I can't remember if i changed it out or just ran it like that for a few years. pretty sure eventually it will go bad buy not overnight. at least you would know if you like the splitter enough to put more money into it.

2. 
   joeh | Apr 12, 2009 11:06pm | #2

   You might find what you need at an equipment repair shop or dealer.

   Hot oil hose is what you want, the heater hose will turn to mush eventually.

   Joe H

1. 
   Karl | Apr 13, 2009 02:33am | #3

   Thanks Joe and Logcrafter,
   There is a specialty hose shop on the other side of town I better hit up Monday morning. I wanted to call it good with the heater hose but if I will be replacing it soon I don't want to have to catch the fluid as I pull off the current hose.I am pretty stoked on the log splitter for 1000 dollars. I am sure I could have spent 40 hours in the shop and 800 or more dollars on material and built something that is almost as good.The splitter came with a spare set of seals for the cylinder and even if I end up replacing the engine or rebuilding the cylinder I still came out ahead of trying to build it myself.It has a 90 day warrantee so I plan on running it at least 8 hours a week for the next 11 weeks to identify any problems before the warrantee runs out.Thanks again,
   Karl

1. 
   gfretwell | Apr 13, 2009 07:25pm | #4

   A lot depends on the quality of the "heater hose". There is some that is incidentally oil resistant, only because it is an industrial commodity that worked it's way to the auto parts store (or more likely a truck parts store). It will usually say that on the jacket. If there are any style numbers or certifications, google them and see what the manufacturer says.

1. 
   brownbagg | Apr 13, 2009 07:32pm | #5

   a replacement hyd hose is only about $30

2. 
   Karl | Apr 13, 2009 09:49pm | #7

   I stopped by the specialty hose shop this morning and picked up a piece of Parker hydraulic suction hose. Gave them $10.62 and I am almost ready to split some wood.The industrial suction hose is markedly stiffer and seems able to withstand a lot more abrasion and other abuse than the heater hose.Thanks to all for the input. Once again it seems that the right material for the job is worth waiting for.Karl

3. 
   [email protected] | Apr 13, 2009 09:43pm | #6

   It will break down eventually.  So, long as it is on the return, (low pressure side), it will last for a while. 

   When it breaks down, it is possible that the deteriorating rubber goo, generated will find it's way into the pump, cylinder, or valves requiring a tear down and rebuild. 

   It is worth getting the right hose and installing it. 

4. 
   DanH | Apr 14, 2009 12:50am | #8

   I agree with the others -- the rubber will break down eventually, and the goo from it may cause problems with the hydraulic system. The hose is probably OK for a few days, but you need to get the proper hose.

   The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith
5. 
   webted | Apr 14, 2009 01:56am | #9

   Hi Karl:

   I've been wrestling with a similar problem in my work (laboratory) setting. We use heat transfer fluids that are pretty similar to hydraulic fluid for temperature control of our small reactor setups. We pump the fluid from the reservoir system into the jackets of our reactors, usually using heater hose.

   The hoses degrade quickly (especially when we're using them on the hot side) and massively split out after a few weeks of use. In our case, we just swap them out every week or so. Not a great long term solution... but it's on the company dime.

   Our problem is a bit different - we need a high range of temperature stability in addition to solvent resistance - and the heat cycling causes failure more rapidly, but it's still the same end result.

   I'm looking into fuel injection hose, but you might be able to get by with "fuel hose" which is designed to be more solvent resistant. It looks like Goodyear makes it in 1" i.d. Unfortunately, it's only rated to 35 psi - I'm not sure what you need?

   http://www.goodyearep.com/ProductsDetail.aspx?id=10524

   -t

1. 
   Karl | Apr 14, 2009 04:13am | #10

   Thanks for the link to goodyear.
   I ran the splitter for an hour this evening and was really surprised how hot the cylinder and hoses do get. I would guess around 120 degrees.The hose in question runs under zero pressure as the reservoir is vented. Anyhow the parker hydraulic suction hose should perform flawlessly as I assume it is what gets installed on all the heavy equipment running around with hydraulic systems.The splitter exceeded my expectations in terms of force. It is rated at 30 tons and I couldn't resist finding its limits. I tried to split a 6" knot in a 14" diameter round of eucalyptus.It never quit pushing unfortunately the 1 1/4 baseplate of the splitters I-beam bent a good 20 degrees out of square to the I beam before I realized what was happening.Harbor freight is sending me an entire I beam assy under their warrantee but in the meantime I am thinking about cutting off the baseplate, flipping it over and welding it back on. This time I might add some side gussets to the baseplate I beam rail assy to prevent a repeat. I probably ought to lower the pressure the pressure release pops at to prevent further damage.

1. 
   ponytl | Apr 14, 2009 06:03am | #12

   if you really want long term service life out of your splitter  you might consider putting a transmission cooler inline on your return side... if you plan to operate it as hard as you say...  cool temps will extend it's life... as will a really high quality fluid...

   p

6. 
   Junkman001 | Apr 14, 2009 04:46am | #11

   I have an old deere backhoe.  I think it always had a heater hose for the RETURN line on the oil cooler.  No ill effects.

    

   Mike

   Insert initially amusing but ultimately annoying catch phrase here.