The splitter still works but its definitely slowed down from the wood pieces between the ram and the housing. Tried flat screwdrivers and the just can't get in there to move anything.
Some needle nose pliers might help. You can try moving the wedge oneway and then stop it and clean off what you can, move the wedge back (stop) and get what you can and just repeat that process.
Maybe keep an old paint brush, hacksaw blade, and wire coat hanger handy and give it a quick cleaning along with gas fill ups. Or keep an air compressor close by.
if I can't get them out with my hands, a few more pieces of wood usually pushes them out. Sometimes there is enough play to let you move enough to get chunks out.
My first thought was a compressor to blow everything out but after some consideration, I don't think it would really be that effective. What might work is some rope or wire- maybe some old coax cable? If the positioning permits, tie it in a loop then you can pull the cable a few inches to loosen up the chips.
I would try squirting some wd-40 in there and moving the ram back and forth. See if anything loosens up.
I use graphite lube in a can for my hydro splitter. It is only single directional though but I think that might help you going forward. It's dry to the touch (after it dries hahaha) and doesn't attract dirt at all. I sprayed my splitter twice now since I got it Mar-31-2020 and I just use my hand to wipe it clean. With the spruce I split the other day I did use a flathead screwdriver right at the end of the channel but it was not arduous at all.
