Log splitter hydraulic fluid recovery

gfloren · Feb 1, 2022

I have a 25T Performance Built log splitter. Occasionally, when I set it up, my estimate of "level" is off enough that when I activate the hydraulic pump, hydraulic fluid will shoot out of the fill plug vent. Easy to fix, but also really messy.

Is there any reason the fill plug couldn't be tapped for a brass fitting so a hose could be fitted and some kind if overflow reservoir attached? This would be just to stop the mess. I realize I shouldn't keep running it when it's not level. The vent needs to allow air into the hydraulic tank also, so it would seem like good idea to make sure the tube to the overflow reservoir doesn't go all the way to the bottom of the overflow container but has air space between the end of the tube and and any access fluid.

Shouldn't this work. Or is it a bad idea?

ericm979 · Feb 1, 2022

I made something like that for my tractor's front axle. The vent is on one end at the steering knuckle and if I parked the tractor on a side hill it would leak. My fix is an expensive hydraulic swivel to a vinyl tube to a reservoir I made from PVC pipe which has a vent cap on top. The tubing leads to the bottom of the reservior (which is mounted higher than the axle) so any oil that makes it there will drain back.

I have had the same problem with my log splitter. I think a simple extension tube that raises the level of the fill plug or cap would be fine. Also now I know why the spec is for four gallons even though it'll take five when on the level garage floor.

WranglerX · Feb 1, 2022

Sounds reasonable. but it is possible you have overfilled the reservoir, my 20T's manual say to keep fluid at least 2 inches below top of tank (not 2 inches below top of filler neck) ....

LouNY · Feb 1, 2022

gfloren said:
I have a 25T Performance Built log splitter. Occasionally, when I set it up, my estimate of "level" is off enough that when I activate the hydraulic pump, hydraulic fluid will shoot out of the fill plug vent. Easy to fix, but also really messy.

Is there any reason the fill plug couldn't be tapped for a brass fitting so a hose could be fitted and some kind if overflow reservoir attached? This would be just to stop the mess. I realize I shouldn't keep running it when it's not level. The vent needs to allow air into the hydraulic tank also, so it would seem like good idea to make sure the tube to the overflow reservoir doesn't go all the way to the bottom of the overflow container but has air space between the end of the tube and and any access fluid.

Shouldn't this work. Or is it a bad idea?

That would work just fine. Or, take it one step farther and replace the filler plug with a hose barb for say 3/8" hose run the hose to an over flow container either in the bottom or routed to the bottom with a filtered vent off that tank.
Let it work like a radiator expansion tank.

oosik · Feb 2, 2022

My Didier log splitter would "blow fluid" out the fill cap when worked hard and for long periods of time. It never vented much fluid. All my splitting was out in the woods - never created a mess. At the end of the day - refill to required level.