I know how time gets away from us sometimes. The oil has been changed, but that is unknown as to when and what type. That being said I have a older ( mid 80's) horizontal 5HP wood splitter that was sold by Agway. I have looked high and low for the operators manual and still cannot find it. My question to you all is what type and weight of oil do I need to use after I flush the hydraulic pump and tank. This splitter will be used year round if that would make a difference on the recommenced oil. There are so many choices available, but I prefer to get my info from the users with first hand knowledge on this forum.
Do you know what is on it for a pump? That is the thing that determines the best oil type. See if the pump had any ID on it, brand, model, that type of thing. Most pumps will be ok with AW32 (10 weight) or AW46 (20 weight)...or Dextron III ATF if you use it in freezing weather a lot. I know many of the newer splitters with aluminum bodied pumps are not supposed to have "universal" or "tractor" (303) fluid used in them.
If you can find it for a decent price, go with ATF. I've been wanting to switch mine out, but waiting to see if I can find a great deal on some red oil. I don't like how thick the tractor juice stuff gets in freezing weather and sometimes wonder if I am doing my pump or valve a disservice by running it with that thick stuff. If I don't find ATF cheap before the tractor needs hydro fluid changed again, I'm going to put the used super UDT2 into the splitter.
I use aircraft hydro oil , buy it 5gal at a time. learned about this when running snow plow service, ( brand name like boss or western basicly the same stuff but way over priced) I get from a oil co distributor directly.
