In my case, the splitter operator quits before the splitter. I try not to split below 32*f. As far as the splitter goes if you let it warm up and circulate to warm up. I’ve used them down to 0*f. Just let the oil warm up before you start stressing the pump. Loading up the Lopi Mike in Okla
It does t get terribly cold here, extreme cold for us is single digits to near zero. Have seen negative 5 here a few times. I will work in that but won’t go all day. Will also work when it’s in the upper 90’s, but once again not all day.
If I'm game to be out, I expect the splitter to comply. I haven't been denied since I swapped engines by the cold and probably my coldest splitting session last year was around 20 degrees or so. I get the splitter started striaght away and let it warm up while I'm pulling it to where I'm going to use it. The oil gets pretty thick below freezing. Someday I'm going to switch to ATF vs tractor fluid and should have no more thick oil in the cold after.
I will split in cold weather. Warm up my machine first, and I’ll try for more of a Goldilocks variety of rounds versus big gnarly crotches. Save those for warmer weather when the pump and the steel isn’t as stressed! haven’t had issues with this approach.
I haven't run my splitter much below the low teens, and prefer not to. I don't mind being out running a chainsaw in that weather though (saws are kept in a garage space that doesn't get too cold). Around here those kind of temperatures don't stick around for more than a few days, so I'll wait it out.
Get it started and let it run for a while to warm up and let it rip. No temp restrictions here. I operate the company’s schwing pump all winter long, temp don’t matter. If it’s cold out I do keep it inside the night before then start it before I leave and let it run all day. Never a problem. Trying to start it at ambient temp under 30*f is a different story.
I have run mine down to zero or a bit below. No problems starting it after converting to electric. It takes a few minutes for the fluid to warm up and then it's off to the races. I get cold safter than when I was younger, so the splitter doesn't get used as much below about 20° F.
Ill run mine later today at temps in the mid 20's. Once it gets below 20 i usually wont do any firewooding although it doesnt seem to get that cold here anymore.
I'm thinking there's a lot of hydraulic equipment being used at or below freezing temps with little to no problems. If you're looking for an excuse, you better think harder around this group.
If it starts, run it. I just got done putting mine in the heated garage so I can run it this weekend. There's no chance of it starting now (25*).
