log splitter hydrolic fluid question

Easy48827 · Mar 12, 2013

Hey all! I've been to your forum quite a few times to get some answers on various projects in the past and want to thank everyone for the valuable info I received.
Now a question I have on my log splitter. Have an older MTD 24 ton and owners manual calls for 7 gallons of either Dextron 11 or nonfoaming 10w oil. Most of what I've read, almost no one uses these in their splitters and mine was built when oil was 60 cents a quart and multi weight oil was not approved for almost anything. One person used Rotella-t 5w30 diesel motor oil which I thought may be a good fit. Any comments would help me make up my mind. thanks!

Tig · Mar 12, 2013

My BIL picked up an old splitter last summer. He flushed and filled it with atf and it did not work right. Stuttered jerky operation. He found a manual online that spec'd motor oil as the correct fluid. He drained and refilled with 30 weight and it worked great.
For yours, I'd stay close to the published spec.

J_J · Mar 12, 2013

ATF or 10W-40 motor oil

Soundguy · Mar 12, 2013

i agree.. in those apps.. there's probably plenty of oils that would work. even a premium winter utf fluid or R&O light hyd fluid.

Easy48827 · Mar 15, 2013

Thanks for the answers. For me, the cost is a big consideration plus the "anti-foam" aspect. Can I assume motor oils are all anti-foam? If I do it wrong, 7 gallons is a lot of oil to throw away. Tig- my owners manual says jerky operation is caused by air bubbles in the system. just an FYI.