Log splitter hydraulic fluid

[csr0831]

Hi Guys....

Gonna ask a stupid question here....is the oil used in the ram and pump for a log splitter pretty much a generic hydraulic oil? hmmmm...I guess one has to define "generic" I have an old bare bones log splitter that runs and splits well, but the fluid is really low and I am not too sure the pump isn't starting to cavitate. The only thing I can tell you about it is the ram is suppose to be 22 tons and the moter is a 5hp Tecumseh. Haven't been able to find a serial or model number anywere on this thing. Any thoughts Gents? Any help would be greatly appreciate as I have two 32 inch Oak tress to deal with. Thanks

Chris

 

[Kubota 2350]

If you have a Tractor Supply near you go there and ask what they recommend for their log splitters, should be the same.

 

[FredH]

First log splitter I owned came with Auto transmission fluid in it . Sold it to one of my brothers who then added regular hydraulic fluid . Bad Idea !!

Started foaming and burping fluid out . Had to drain entire system , flush , then refill .

Does not matter really what you use , Hydraulic or tranny , just use the same . Most clear is hydraulic , reddish tint is likely transmission fluid .

I recently switched from a regular brand off the shelf hydraulic fluid to Cenex Brand ISO-VG 46 Ultra clean . Just added it to regular fluid that was in there with out problems . May be different weights / viscosity hydraulic fluids but does not matter as long as it is same . I.E. if hydraulic add more hydraulic , If reddish tint , Use Auto Transmission fluid .

Fred H.

 

[Diamondpilot]

As suggested above I would drain what is in it as much as possible and replenish with something like AW32 or heavier hydraulic oil.

Ask around and see what locals are running. Climate and time of the year that you use it will dictate the fluid to be used.

Chris

 

[radioman]

I use same oil i put in my tractor hydro. doesnt seem to be affected. Before it was hydraulic oil from TSC. I had it drained and used the same oil. Less bottles of spare oil to keep around.

 

[Mousefield]

I agree with the other posts, don't just top it up. Drain all the old oil out and fill with new.

 

[zigzag3337]

Not to sure about your splitter, but I am in the elevator trade and we use hydraulic fluids all the time. There is two types of hydraulic fluids (ie Foaming and NON-foaming). We have to use the non foaming due to the stirring up that the pumps do. Being said, the AW32 will be good for what you need. Our Hydros use this and they don't have any issues.

 

[csr0831]

Hi Guys.....

Thanks for all the replies. I checked the fluid and it seems to be hydraulic fluid, NOT ATF. Looks kind of a like a light wt. motor oil. Couple of questions here....this particular splitter has the storage tank between the wheels. There seems to be about 2 inches of fluid in there right now and the tank is probably 5 inches high...any idea how full it should be? Additionally I tried to split a piece of wood and the ram kind of jerked a bit and hesitated a little from time to time....low oil? At some point during the split...or the return stroke a little oil was regurgitate from the filler cap on the tank...any ideas? Thank for all the help...this forum is awesome! :thumbsup:

Chris

 

[daman1]

Use any AW hydraulic oil 46 or 68...not ATF

 

[Mousefield]

Hi Guys.....

Thanks for all the replies. I checked the fluid and it seems to be hydraulic fluid, NOT ATF. Looks kind of a like a light wt. motor oil. Couple of questions here....this particular splitter has the storage tank between the wheels. There seems to be about 2 inches of fluid in there right now and the tank is probably 5 inches high...any idea how full it should be? Additionally I tried to split a piece of wood and the ram kind of jerked a bit and hesitated a little from time to time....low oil? At some point during the split...or the return stroke a little oil was regurgitate from the filler cap on the tank...any ideas? Thank for all the help...this forum is awesome! :thumbsup:

Chris

My thought would be to fill it to nearly full. It will probably expand a bit when hot. My wood splitter is nearly full but does have a bit of space. I suspect if you are down to 2 inches it may be on the low side.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Start by filling it 3/4 full. You are getting the foaming from the fill cap because its got air in the system due to your running it low on fluid. You will need to run it through a few cycles to allow it to burp the air. after you have done this retract the cylinder all the way and shut it down and then refill the oil to aprox 3/4 full.

Chris

 

[radioman]

Air can compress alot more then oil can. This is where you are getting the jerking from. I bet that after running it, you will see alot of foam in the tank. After you let the splitter sit overnight, take a flashlight and peer in the tank looking around for a tube or inlet.There should be a inlet tube sticking up in the oil tank. Chances are your oil is lower then that inlet causing oil to get in to the ram and lines giving you the jerk motion. Just fill up with more oil to cover that inlet by at least an inch higher then inlet.

Cycle the ram a few times full open and full close. Then try to split again, chances are it will be just fine.

 

[csr0831]

I figured I had air in it. There is no way to see into the tank on this one.....I mean I can see stright down, but the return and supply fittings are at the other end of the tank. The supply to the pump is taken off a fitting directly on the bottom of the tank. I do not know if it was just welded over a hole in the bottom of the tank, or if there is a short riser tube in the tank. This splitter is about as simple as it gets...doesn't even have a filter on it! However, when it works I've not found anything it won't split....just haven't used it in a couple of years. Anyway, I suspect the root of my problems are air and low fluid. Thanks again for all the help everyone!

 

[csr0831]

Ok...I went down to the local northern tools and asked what they used in their splitters. I was told they use ISO 32 hydrulic fluid...should be ok to use that? Also...I've got a couple of leaks on the low pressure side where plastic elbows thread into differant parts (tank, pump, etc.). Can I use teflon tape on those fittings to stop the leaks....they are already threaded in as far as they will go. Thanks guys!

 

[Mousefield]

Ok...I went down to the local northern tools and asked what they used in their splitters. I was told they use ISO 32 hydrulic fluid...should be ok to use that? Also...I've got a couple of leaks on the low pressure side where plastic elbows thread into differant parts (tank, pump, etc.). Can I use teflon tape on those fittings to stop the leaks....they are already threaded in as far as they will go. Thanks guys!

I used to do some pipe/steam fitting when I worked for a large drycleaner and I used teflon tape a lot. Check to see if the threads are in good shape, if in good shape just clean the threaded areas and put on a several layers of teflon. If it doesn't work you may need new fittings. If you do need new fittings they should not be to expensive, at least you would have the old ones to take to the store to make sure you get the right ones. :laughing: As far as the hydraulic fluid, if that's what they use then I would use the same. Drain ALL the old oil out before refilling.

 

[Diamondpilot]

AW 32 is perfect for a splitter.

Chris

 

[studor]

Aw 32 is what I use -- I woud also stay away from teflon tape on the fittings -- better to buy new fittings than to have some chunks of teflon floating around in an unfiltered system - JMHO

 

[csr0831]

Hello Gents...

Just wanted to thank everyone for their input. I did use teflon tape...I just mades sure it was up near the shoulder of the fitting. There was nothing wrong with the fitting that I could tell so using a new one would have been of no help. I used the ISO 32 fliud after I drained the old. Put in about 2.5 gallons. It splits like a dream. Spent two hours today working on an Oak tree...my back finally gave out, so I quit. Thanks again guys! : )

Chris

 

[RZHill]

Now your back should not give out unless you are splitting horizontal.
I have a 27 ton splitter that will split both ways. I ALWAYS split vertical, have a small stool to sit on and roll the logs to the splitter. works fine for me and I have split some Maple that was 4' in diameter , after halfing it with a chain saw.
My biggest gripe is picking up the split logs to load the truck.
RZ Hill

 

[csr0831]

I AM splitting horizontal....as I said, this is an old (20 - 25 years) bare bones splitter and will not split verticaly and splits only one way. I am splitting Red oak approximatly 3' in diameter, I put the piece in the Jonny Bucket on the tractor, drive it up to the splitter and then I can roll it onto the splitter, because I **** sure can't lift it from the ground. After I half it, I can lift up those peices, but after a day of that, my back tells me all about it.:ashamed: