Hello all, this is my first post in the forum and I really hope someone can help me out. I apologize in advance for the extensive explanation.
I recently borrowed the Task-Force 5-ton hydraulic electric log splitter (http://www.abc17news.com/media/photos/news/2868.jpg) from a friend. I was utilizing the splitter for an extended period of time earlier today and, as many owners of this product are aware of, holding the hyrdaulic lever down with one hand and pushing the button with the other can be very taxing on your lumbar support.
In effort to reduce back strain I began pushing the hydraulic lever down with my foot (while sitting) so I could control the plate more efficiently and minimize the distance it has to travel before splitting the logs. Over the span of four or so hours of operating the machine applying this method, the bolt that holds the actual hydraulic lever in place became very loose, thus causing the attached small metal plate used to initiate the hydraulic mechanism to displace.
Once I noticed the hydraulic plate not moving forward anymore I quickly stopped the machine and investigated the problem. I discovered that the metal pin and spring that the lever pushes in (with the small metal plate) had ejected itself from the machine along with a small amount of hydraulic fluid. This pin has a narrow point on one end and appears to have thin threads on the other end. I proceeded to put the pin back in the hole it came out of (narrow point in first of course) and put the larger spring back around the other end since this was the only feasible spot to place it. I then positioned the lever back in place and re-tightened the bolt.
I ran another log through the splitter and the hyrdaulic plate moved normally and split the log with ease. However, I did notice that the lever seemed to move awkwardly and did not feel the same as before this incident. My worries are that another crucial piece to the hydraulic mechanism had separated from the pin and went flying out somewhere... perhaps a washer or some piece that threads onto the end.
I attempted calling the toll free help line which offered no adequate information and the Lowes it was purchased from did not have any models in stock. Does anyone own the same model splitter and could give me an explanation of what this part of the machine is supposed to look like? I have photographs attached, but basically the small threaded portion of the pin and larger spring are touching right up against the metal plate the lever pushes in.
Any type of information or advice would be greatly appreciated since I do not want to cause any additional damage to the unit. I do not have the owners manual and could use the help of someone familiar with the same machine. Again I apologize for the lengthy in-concise explanation, but I wanted to be as specific and accurate as possible and hope to fix this problem (if there is one) before returning it to the owner. Thank you very much for your time.
First of all, thank you to anyone who actually took the time to read my drudging and tedious anecdote regarding the wood splitter.
Secondly, in case anyone else suffers the same misfortune, I located the missing piece which was comparable to finding a needle in a haystack. It is a small black metal clip which holds the stubborn larger spring in its place and is vital to keep the lever running smoothly.
Keep on splittin'
Glad to hear you got it fixed
Wish I had a wood splitter, all I have is a go devil, a splitting wedge and sledge hammer. I enjoy splitting wood by hand when it splits easy but the logs that don't want to be split ....
Mystery fix. I was using the task force to split a particulary knarly oak piece with a knot at the bottom when it all went south and quit working. I searched high and low for an owner's manual on line, no luck, and just went commando on it. I removed the wheels, loosed the nuts on the outside of the hydro pump, pulled the motor and determined it still worked, I spun the gear on the pump, it still worked, figured it had to be the piston, pulled on it and it moved in one piece, put it all back together again and took it to the shop. When I plugged it in at the shop to demonstrate the problem, it was all working again. So, perhaps it bound up and needed to be released by taking it apart, but today, I got a wood splitter again.
dennis
Tags: lowes, task, force, hydraulic, electric, wood, splitter, larger spring, metal plate, wood splitter, down with, hydraulic lever
