If your like the average user oil changes and filters and that's about all you need do to them. I put very good synthetic fluids in mine every year but you don't need to unless your going crazy splitting tons of wood like I was for a while. 30+ Full cord in less than a year. I am not the average user and had to modify the snot out of mine because I'm OCD as heck lol. Honestly though I could have just filled it with oil and hydro fluid and ran.
Another thing to consider is cost vs cost. If you rent 2 or 3 times a year around us it's $50 a rental then your at $150 a year to split. If you buy then you save 150 a year or close to one full cord of wood in cost. You defiantly don't put $150 a year into maintenance on a splitter.
If you have to convince your wife instead of her telling you to go out and buy one you are doing it all wrong
So the argument with wife. Rental cost 75 a day make big pile of rounds split all wood in one day. 75 day x 10 years = 750 Buying average 22 ton splitter = 1000 Variables that she is not aware of. No longer are we c/s/s for 1 season. Also that I am working to get 3 years ahead. She thinks I've gone off the deep end. I know if she would help with splitting I would have one in a week.
Happy wife Happy life. She holds all the cards. And has all the goods. I wear the pants she picks them out.
Splitters are pretty much zero maintenance. I don't know anyone that's ever changed hydro oil, unless it was a self emptying issue. I know some will change the motor oil every year, but I know a lot that don't do that nearly ever. My dad had a craftsman push mower with a small Briggs that only ever got used car oil. The thing ran great for at least 30 years. Probably would start and run if he still has it.
I change the oil once a year, motor oil is cheap security for the tighter tolerances in modern day motors. Years ago a old Briggs would run forever.
I think I'm wearing her down she asked last night difference between 22 ton 27 ton and 35 ton. Didn't know how to answer that one.
It's really quite simple Waddle. The difference between the 22 and the 27 is 5. The difference between the 27 and the 35 is 8.
This is a great site. I have a homemade splitter that my Dad built in 1976 with what he had ( lift cylinder from bucket tractor, 7hp B&S, 11 gpm pump from Northern, wedge built by local welder and valve that he had). The cylinder bent after 7yrs replaced with 4" x 24" from Northern, pump replaced 1999, engine replaced twice first was 5hp. B&S from dump lasted one year, then purchased 6.5hp B&S from HD pressure washer that the pump was NG. recently purchased new detent valve and hyd. filter yet to be installed, Still has the original wedge and beam. I don't know what tonnage it is but it has never failed to split anything. Change oil in engine once a year. I am planning to add log holder/lift and table in the future.
Ok guys, here's my super hot tip/deal of the century. Menards(one of my favorite places) has the 27 ton dht on clearance for $899!!! Get one before there gone!!! Really nice well built splitter, and at $900 a STEAL.
I changed the hyd fluid on mine, had to I bought it used on C/L and the fluid was milky (water in it), cant remember the exact cost of the fluid but it was not cheap to do as mine takes a little over 9 gallons total, that included draining the entire system ( tank,lines,ram)
Looked up splitters at Menards... Forest king 22 ton on clearance for $799 + $100 rebate so $699 final price!!!
Yeah, that's only through this weekend. My cutting buddy and I are considering this splitter. But he has an aborted splitter I beam with a cylinder, and a Briggs 8hp horizontal shaft. So, some welding, pump and mount valve, tank, hoses etc we'd have one for much less. And it would be over built.
I just thought of another thing to tell your wife... I'm in the firewood hoarders club, that's what these guys do. They go and get as much firewood as humanly possible. The overwhelming majority of them have splitters, why? Because it freakin' works best! They don't rent them, they don't swing a maul (unless we really want to) they got their own splitters. There is a reason for that. Another thing that works good is say " hey, it will give me more time with the family." It's especially true for me. I work my freakin' ace off! I litterally work for fun. Anything that can help me finish the job quicker and get in to play Thomas the train with my little boy and hold my baby girl is worth it!