Tip for using splitter in really cold weather.

[woodguy105]

Why?

Maybe the magnet attracts flakes of metal etc. and they stick to the bottom of the pan ...instead of getting caught in the filter???

:monkey:

 

[nitro]

snowblower motor

my 8 hp motor on the splitter wasnt cuttin it ,so it was time to start lookin for something more MANLY .found an almost new 12hp ohv snowblower with a blown up transmission for 50 bucks ,mounted my new 16gpm haldex from tsc
to the electric start ohv motor filled the hydro tank with new dextron and the motor with mobil1 10/30 .
100 foot cord from the shed and all i need to do is push the button- added bonus is the motor has the fuel primer
i do let it run for about 10 minutes before useing it

now i dont feel guilty sending my wife out in the cold to split wood

 

[saxman]

when I did the 50 hour service on my Kubota tractor I had about 11 gallons of slightly used Kubota Super UDT hydraulic fluid. I had wally world hydralic fluid in my splitter so I changed it out with the UDT and a new filter, the pump was not as noisy and the Super UDT is a synthetic that is great at low temps. I still have lots of it left so I think I will change it every year until it is gone.

 

[tanker]

2 bolts and I pull the pump off the motor in the winter to start it.11hp Briggs and it will always start on the 2nd or 3rd pull.Let the motor run 5-10 minutes then shut down,reattach pump and fire back up,Works like a charm every time.

 

[beerman6]

now i dont feel guilty sending my wife out in the cold to split wood

 

[Zodiac45]

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!

Yep that would be my worry more then the engine. My 5hp Tecumseh starts up on 2 pulls no matter the temps but the hydraulic fluid is another story. I've been using ATF fluid in mine for the past 5 yrs and it seems too flow a bit better than straight hydraulic. If the temps are below freezing, I've warmed the machine by cycling through 5-10 full cycles with no pressure (no wood) before trying to split anthing. Your heated blanket idea is a good one I'd think as many maufacturers suggest you not split at very cold temps.

 

[Austin1]

Yep that would be my worry more then the engine. My 5hp Tecumseh starts up on 2 pulls no matter the temps but the hydraulic fluid is another story. I've been using ATF fluid in mine for the past 5 yrs and it seems too flow a bit better than straight hydraulic. If the temps are below freezing, I've warmed the machine by cycling through 5-10 full cycles with no pressure (no wood) before trying to split anthing. Your heated blanket idea is a good one I'd think as many maufacturers suggest you not split at very cold temps.

+1 thats the reason for my post.

When I bought the splitter it was a very nice fall day Indian summer. But a few day's after it dropped to around -8c not cold just cool but that morning you could here it wine a bit when cycling also no load like you said about 5/10 cycles and it was quite. But got me thinking about doing the same when it's been sitting outside in the shed in -20 or 30 for a week. Of course I would be splitting on a nice Chinook day but the splitter would still be frosty.
I really spoil my stuff anyway probably why I still drive a 1980 pickup to work everyday.