Thoughts on a splitter vent issue?

So, still really liking the Swisher 34 ton splitter. However, one thing I can't figure is this. It has a vent cap/ dipstick combo in the opening of the hydro tank. The venting part of it is the issue. If I'm setup at even the slightest incline, I get a lot of fluid out of the vent cap. It will also leak fluid when towing it around the lot with the atv from splashing. So, the vent part of the cap seems to be wide open as opposed to pressure open. I contacted Swisher who quickly sent me a replacement. The replacement does the same. The correct amount of fluid is in the splitter and I can't think of any cause other than overfilling.

On my past splitters, there has been a different style of vent. My DHT unit had a square head with a small head in the side of it. My White had what looked like an old valve cover push in vent. Both would leak a little if at an extreme angle when splitting but this one is a faucet. Thoughts on a remedy? My ideas are to ether source a different style vent cap or raise the vent tube with a section of black pipe with a coupler on the end and use the existing cap.

Here's the cap that's on it now:

 

Not familiar with the swisher units but just a question. Is the dipstick supposed to be screwed in or not when you check the fluid level? I ask this because it sounds like you may be over filled.

 

Nope, not overfilled. With the dipstick screwed in it's at, but not above, the full hash mark. With it unscrewed it's in the middle of the range.

 

I think I'm going to try the extension first. Perhaps, having it all the way "full" is not in its comfort range despite not being over on the hash marks. There are some better vent caps on Amazon too I could try but in the end, if the fluid is sloshing all the way up there, a better cap will likely leak too.

 

I would, then maybe a larger vent cap too...how far down in the tank is the oil level? If the splitter is off camber enough to have the oil level close to the top of the tank at the vent area, some is probably coming out...if you park the splitter so the vent cap is on the "high side" of the hill, that'll help alot too...

 

Yes sir, I usually try to keep it on the high side but I think the extension will give me some freedom in that regard. As I said, with past splitters I've had some spit from time to time but this one is so open that even towing causes it to slosh out. A quick google search indicates that I'm not alone. If the extension doesn't completely do the trick, Buyers makes a very nice metal venting cap that I could try too.

 

Put the oil level at the high mark with the vent / dipstick unscrewed ( just sitting on ) the filler tube.
One of my splitters is very sensitive to the oil level. This took care of the spilling problems.

 

The extension is not a surefire fix...if the oil level gets to the vent hole in the tank, often times it will just go ahead a spew it up and out...almost need an oil separator/vent cap in that scenario...you could make one with some pipe fittings....just need to upsize the pipe for a few inches, and then neck it back down to attach the vent cap. You can upsize off the existing with a bell type pipe reducer (like 1/2" (3/4"?) to 1.5 or 2") a 1.5 or 2" pipe nipple, then another bell type reducer to attach your vent cap...if that makes sense.
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Or you can just use pipe bushings in each end of a 2" coupling to accomplish the upsize too...

 

That would actually put me higher as right now, it's at the high mark with it screwed in.

 

Man, that would really grind my gears!

maybe a short npt nipple and a coupling? Would be petty cheap to try.

 

I think the extension will get me some improvement to start. When splitting in the woods, I just don't like to always search for a perfectly level spot you know? But if it's coming out while towing and splashing around, that's just not ok.

 

Yup, that's exactly what I'm going to do. I may make it tall too. Perhaps 6" or so.

 

I was thinking the same thing but thought it might be goofy

 

If 6" is goofy, maybe I'll go 8"...

 

Sorry it should be at the low end not full end.

 

Got ya. I could siphon some out I suppose. Free to try...

 

How much does it need extended until you could use it as a grab handle? Now that would be goofy!
My brother had this issue on his homebuilt splitter, extending the vent didn't work in his case...up sizing the vent pipe for a few inches at the top right below the vent cap did though...

 

I'm betting that removing a bit of fluid and a goofy extension will do it for $5. If not, I'll investigate further options. I appreciate your ideas!

 

Where is the oil level at when it is hot and with the cylinder retracted?