Changed the hydraulic fluid and filter today on my country tuff splitter. I'm ashamed to say that this is the first time in the 9 years I've owned it. I was surprised, the fluid was bright a clear. Filled it with new fluid halfway between the min/max marks on the dipstick. While cycling to purge air I was getting a lot of fluid coming out of the vent hole. Also noticed wouldn't bog down unless I held the handle down for several seconds on the end stroke. Still air in the system?
Did you fill it with the cylinder retracted? If not, you overfilled it. There should not be air in the system as it constantly circulates. If the oil was clear, it was still good. I have not changed my fluid yet, and it has been over 10 years. It still looks brand new.
I'm a bad guy too , 22 years on my fluid . it's still clean . my machine has never sat outside over night or been rained on. in 22 years the only thing done is yearly motor oil change and an air filter once or twice . all else is good.
Mine sits outside right now, but I like to keep it inside. No engine oil or air filter for me to change, lol, it's got a 3hp electric motor.
Yes cylinder was retracted. It may have been a little more off level to the vent side then I thought. Ran it today splitting some red oak without issue. I'm sure the fluid was good, but I had noticed a leak at the top of the filter and the rim was discolored brown so I figured I'd change both. Embarrassed to say the filter was loose , never thought to check the simple stuff first.
