Log Splitter Seals

YamadudeXS650C

YamadudeXS650C

Central New York XS650
Top Contributor
Messages
2,721
Reaction score
11,078
Points
513
Location
Syracuse NY
I split my logs with a Harbor Freight 10 ton manual hydraulic splitter which I welded to a hand cart to make it portable.

Splitter6.jpg


The seals are leaking, which is common in this machine whether you get it at HF or Home Depot under another name, and parts aren't available.

I'm focusing today on the "pumper" seals in this mechanism:

Splitter1.jpg


The o-rings on the plunger are straight-forward to replace:

Splitter4.jpg


However, these below are bunged up. I'm thinking that the only purpose they serve is to stabilize the plunger in the bore (?), not to actually do any significant sealing.
Since they seem to be unique to this machine, my thought is to fit an o-ring into the slot where they are positioned.

Spitter5.jpg



Splitter2.jpg
Splitter3.jpg


Opinions?



.
 
Did work some with hydraulic cylinders for excavators
At the piston inside there is seals for the + outward and - inward motion
But the seal in itself cannot take lateral movement so there is usually some type of bushing of some type
plastic material as a bearing keeping the piston centered in the bore

The same at the outgoing end
The seal has to be protected from sideways motion 2 is the bushing and 3 the seal

There are standards for cylinders so there is a fair chance parts are obtainable.
The bushing can also be OK and the seal gone.
In the best of worlds Harbor freight can have parts.

The man who can figure out how to prevent leaking hydraulic cylinders will be a rich man pretty quick


1669582131725.png
 
Got another question: Are hydraulic o-rings made with a specialized rubber, or can I use o-rings that I find at Home Depot or my local hardware store?



.
 
Last edited:
YamadudeXS650C said:
Got another question: Are hydraulic o-rings made with a specialized rubber, or can I use o-rings that I find at Home Depot or my local hardware store?
Click to expand...
The rubber has to be compatible with the oil you're using. If you're using a petroleum based hyd fluid, you want seals made from nitrile (Buna-N) or HNBR.
Sometimes they'll state they are petroleum compatible.
 
Jim said:
The rubber has to be compatible with the oil you're using. If you're using a petroleum based hyd fluid, you want seals made from nitrile (Buna-N) or HNBR.
Sometimes they'll state they are petroleum compatible.
Click to expand...
Buna-N...that's the one I was trying to remember. Thanks for the clarification Jim.
 
This morning I discovered that repair kits are available from China for a few dollars, but I'm still searching for one for the 10 ton jack.

1669646811757.png
 
kshansen said:
For something that works at basically room temperature I would say Buna-N would be more than adequate. Viton might be almost over kill.

One place local that at least when I was still working that was pretty good for things like that is:
https://www.yelp.com/biz/nu-way-hydraulic-sales-and-services-east-syracuse-2
Click to expand...
Thanks Ken, I called Nu Way Hydraulics; they said they might be able to help me out. I'm going there tomorrow. I'll report what happens.

The o-ring sizes are unusual, and aren't found in the assortments offered by Harbor Fright.
 
YamadudeXS650C said:
I split my logs with a Harbor Freight 10 ton manual hydraulic splitter which I welded to a hand cart to make it portable.

View attachment 230793

The seals are leaking, which is common in this machine whether you get it at HF or Home Depot under another name, and parts aren't available.

I'm focusing today on the "pumper" seals in this mechanism:

View attachment 230794

The o-rings on the plunger are straight-forward to replace:

View attachment 230795

However, these below are bunged up. I'm thinking that the only purpose they serve is to stabilize the plunger in the bore (?), not to actually do any significant sealing.
Since they seem to be unique to this machine, my thought is to fit an o-ring into the slot where they are positioned.

View attachment 230796


View attachment 230798 View attachment 230799

Opinions?



.
Click to expand...
I need some of the dust protectors.
Any ideas?
Thanks, Mike in Detroit. Mikerudko@yahoo.com
 
shevyfan said:
I need some of the dust protectors.
Any ideas?
Thanks, Mike in Detroit. Mikerudko@yahoo.com
Click to expand...
Mike, my local supply place I mentioned actually had to special order the "odd size" O-rings, and as for the wipers, I decided to keep my old ones cuz the hydraulic specialists said they weren't at all critical to the mechanism.



.
 
YamadudeXS650C said:
I split my logs with a Harbor Freight 10 ton manual hydraulic splitter which I welded to a hand cart to make it portable.

View attachment 230793

The seals are leaking, which is common in this machine whether you get it at HF or Home Depot under another name, and parts aren't available.

I'm focusing today on the "pumper" seals in this mechanism:

View attachment 230794

The o-rings on the plunger are straight-forward to replace:

View attachment 230795

However, these below are bunged up. I'm thinking that the only purpose they serve is to stabilize the plunger in the bore (?), not to actually do any significant sealing.
Since they seem to be unique to this machine, my thought is to fit an o-ring into the slot where they are positioned.

View attachment 230796


View attachment 230798 View attachment 230799

Opinions?



.
Click to expand...
Hey guys I got the 10 ton splitter. You all have the jack seal kit? Mike in Detroit .
 
shevyfan said:
Hey guys I got the 10 ton splitter. You all have the jack seal kit? Mike in Detroit .
Click to expand...
I was looking at the manual that has a schematic of all of the parts. It seems that the only thing that may be leaking is that little O ring that fits in a groove around the shaft? At least the one in your picture. Don't know if any other seal could be the cause of the leak. It's the high pressure side that leaks.
 

Similar threads

B
1978 xs650 "build" work in progress
Replies
5
Views
2K
OHRider
OHRider
Back
Top