Ryobi splitter not wanting to split

The only thing I can think of is that they have some sort of a pickup screen/filter that is fine enough that it doesn't like the heavier oil...but that seems a little unlikely since the first part of the stroke is ok...?

 

Cezar I have serviced a lot of splitters and I sold a few electric 5hp splitters Iron and Oak all of the electric ones called for dexron atf also I have never seen one that did not have some kind of filter a suction screen or a spin on filter the atf will get through a partially clogged filter JB

 

Where do you think I might locate the screen.

And I think I might be willing to buy 4 qts ATF to give this a go, that's a lot cheaper than the AW22.

 

Do you have this "bleed screw" that they mention here? Is it open?

 

Yeah that is my exact splitter. Yes it's open.

 

Sorry cezar I was away fishing no service there I have never worked on one of those real small ones but I would think somewhere on the inlet for the pump or the return side there should be a screen JB