Tip for using splitter in really cold weather.

[Austin1]

I was digging around in the Garage and found a battery Blanket was thinking of throwing it out, but took a look at it and it is perfect to wrap around the oil tank of my splitter So on those really cold day's I will plug it in the night before so my oil will flow fine. You could also use a magnetic oil pan heater for this. I guess I am just fussy about pumping the thick cold fluid I do use ATF,found it is better than any hyd fluid for cold weather, through my pump. I only have a little splitter but really getting into the whole log splitter thing lol. It's almost as bad as CAD!:jawdrop:

 

[stihl sawing]

That's a good idea, But it don't get that cold here. For you guys that get really cold, great idea.

 

[wdchuck]

Yes, the splitter really got me good yesterday, two of the pulls to start yanked back, messed up my left wrist pretty good, might well be sprained or worse.

I was thinking about a heated dipstick, since I have to get one for my coldblooded tractor as well.
I"ll have to check the farm store for those other ideas, sound like good ones.

 

[whiting-5]

thats my biggest complaint on my huskee 35 ton splitter it has a 12 hp engine with little dinky handle that will f#%k you up every time dont know how many times i jacked my wrist up took it off replaced the handle with the same size handle as my 450 kodiak. lot better now but still hard to start when cold out was thinking about heatin blanket on it night before i know im using next day. would like to find elictric start for it problem solved!!!

 

[HittinSteel]

I was digging around in the Garage and found a battery Blanket was thinking of throwing it out, but took a look at it and it is perfect to wrap around the oil tank of my splitter So on those really cold day's I will plug it in the night before so my oil will flow fine. You could also use a magnetic oil pan heater for this. I guess I am just fussy about pumping the thick cold fluid I do use ATF,found it is better than any hyd fluid for cold weather, through my pump. I only have a little splitter but really getting into the whole log splitter thing lol. It's almost as bad as CAD!:jawdrop:

After talking with you, I purchased the same splitter and split the rounds my maul had been bouncing off.

 

[leon]

cold engines

I was digging around in the Garage and found a battery Blanket was thinking of throwing it out, but took a look at it and it is perfect to wrap around the oil tank of my splitter So on those really cold day's I will plug it in the night before so my oil will flow fine. You could also use a magnetic oil pan heater for this. I guess I am just fussy about pumping the thick cold fluid I do use ATF,found it is better than any hyd fluid for cold weather, through my pump. I only have a little splitter but really getting into the whole log splitter thing lol. It's almost as bad as CAD!:jawdrop:

Another option is to use straight 10 weight engine oil and use 30 weight during the winter months. the multi viscosity oils have there place but it will not hurt your engine to run 10 weight oil during the winter especiall y since you are hand cranking it. As for me I have a kerosene salamander 110,000 btu to heat up my timberwolf and me while I work and it still sounds like 747 taking off after 14 years.

leon

 

[Austin1]

After talking with you, I purchased the same splitter and split the rounds my maul had been bouncing off.

Good to hear it working great for you!

 

[Austin1]

Another option is to use straight 10 weight engine oil and use 30 weight during the winter months. the multi viscosity oils have there place but it will not hurt your engine to run 10 weight oil during the winter especiall y since you are hand cranking it. As for me I have a kerosene salamander 110,000 btu to heat up my timberwolf and me while I work and it still sounds like 747 taking off after 14 years.

leon

I am not too worried about the engine oil I use 5w/30 in the winter. It's just getting the hyd fluid flowing easier through the pump.
Those kerosene heaters really put out but I cant stand the noise!

 

[archer39]

i wonder how fluid for a plow would work? My Meyers fluid stays good and thin even in the coolest days in the plow. Its the same principal as a wood splitter both use hydraulics. would be kinda of expensive though

 

[Mike Van]

The ATF should be fine, it's pretty thin anyway - I remember being blown away by my last Ford truck, it came with ATF in the manual transmission. Below zero, you could shift like it was summer. The older ones I had with 90 weight in them, you needed 2 hands almost on the gear shift. Somebody had a "better idea" there.

 

[savageactor7]

I use one of those metal domed clip on lights under my tractor oil pan and the heat of that small bulb keeps the oil thin...I wonder if a couple would work on the splitter. I dunno with 5+ gallons of hydro maybe one of the heated oil sticks would be better.

btw... I hope you're all talking about the hydo fluid, cause that would be my winter curse.

 

[Ole Farmerbuck]

I was digging around in the Garage and found a battery Blanket was thinking of throwing it out, but took a look at it and it is perfect to wrap around the oil tank of my splitter So on those really cold day's I will plug it in the night before so my oil will flow fine. You could also use a magnetic oil pan heater for this. I guess I am just fussy about pumping the thick cold fluid I do use ATF,found it is better than any hyd fluid for cold weather, through my pump. I only have a little splitter but really getting into the whole log splitter thing lol. It's almost as bad as CAD!:jawdrop:

I just pull the belt disengage lever on my Swisher splitter. Kick it in after the engine runs for a minute ot two.

 

[RuralCruiser007]

Have you thought about using synthetic hydraulic fluid. Flow considerably better during winter and can be run year round. It is not that much more pricey than regular hydraulic fluid. The easiest way to buy it is to go to a fuel supplier bulk retailer. The one thing I have found with using ATF is that it will break down with the higher pressures. It is not meant to take 3000 psi. The Meyers snow plow fluid is an aircraft hydraulic fluid and pricey.

HTH
Glenn

 

[retired redneck]

Have you thought about using synthetic hydraulic fluid. Flow considerably better during winter and can be run year round. It is not that much more pricey than regular hydraulic fluid. The easiest way to buy it is to go to a fuel supplier bulk retailer. The one thing I have found with using ATF is that it will break down with the higher pressures. It is not meant to take 3000 psi. The Meyers snow plow fluid is an aircraft hydraulic fluid and pricey.

HTH
Glenn

I have used ATF in my 20 ton splitter winter and summer for 15yrs with no problems.

 

[AKKAMAAN]

Why making such a big deal of the hydraulic oil. USE REGULAR HYDRAULIC OIL all year around. When temp get under zero F, you can start your splitter and let it warm up, idling on raised rpm for 10-15 minutes, You want to get a 100-130deg F operating temp. I've ran big fleet of logging equipment for 25 years, on all year around hydraulic oil between -13F to 80F. Never had a problem with performance on the system. Its just a matter of taking it easy to start, like first 10 -15 min. If your year around temp range is -20 - +80F use ISO VG 32
If you operate warmer than 80F use ISO VG 46 or higher. If there is problems to maintain operating temperature 100-130F, do something about it, something is wrong in system, or operation.

Worry more about the steel structure in the splitter when gettin sub zero operation. These big ton splitters can crack steel in low temps, and no substitute oil in the world can prevent that. Steel lose a lot of the good caracteristics when cooled down. Try spraying a padlock with CO2 for a minute, and hit it with a sledge hammer, that crack the lock.

 

[pickwood]

I agree with AKKAMAAN- in severe cold things will break much easier. Let it warm up and take it easy on equipment until it is fully warmed up.

 

[wdchuck]

Stopped at the farm store last night, picked up a dipstick style heater, and a magnetic 200watt heater.
The 17*F temps really had me appreciate getting something that will ease the starting process, especially the splitter, being a pull cord only start, its starting that is the hard part, after that, letting it warm up is a no-brainer.

 

[drmiller100]

i don't like the dipstick heaters. surface area is too small, cooks the oil on the dipstick.
magnetic oil heaters are better.

best is like the guys said, start it up, and let it run for a bit.....

 

[Ole Farmerbuck]

i don't like the dipstick heaters. surface area is too small, cooks the oil on the dipstick.
magnetic oil heaters are better.

best is like the guys said, start it up, and let it run for a bit.....

I dont remember what it was on but we took the oil pan of of something we had been using a magnetic heater on and i can tell you, i'll never use one again!

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

I dont remember what it was on but we took the oil pan of of something we had been using a magnetic heater on and i can tell you, i'll never use one again!

Why?