Hydr log splitters

[mjrobilotta]

anyone know what kind of fluid to use for a hydraulic log splitter, the current stuff in it is yellow and thick

 

[kide]

A safe bet would be hydraulic oil. The thick, yellow stuff probably has gotten water in it and has homogenized it with the oil and with air...

 

[lhinds]

Michael; Ours calls for tractor hydraulic fluid. So i think Hytran would be good. Most log splitters have a fill plug that is vented and unprotected from water getting into the oil. Sounds like you have water.

 

[jjunkroski]

My hydraulic splitter has been sitting unused for a couple years. When I tried to use it last week, the piston just barely moved.
I checked the fluid level and it was way down so I filled it to the brim and tried again. Same thing...
Do I need to bleed the system? Any clues on how to do that?
Any other possibilities?

 

[rmunro]

You may have a plugged vent. On my splitter it is actually the filler cap. It may need to be cleaned out.