Log splitter hydraulic issue

[311Hemi]

I have a log splitter from Northern Hydraulic that is from the early 80's. The issue I am having is that hydraulic fluid is leaking out of the vent cap. The vent is basically a piece of pipe that come out the side of the reservoir to a 90* and then is 6" vertical, and has a breather cover on it. It never used to do this, and I am not sure how long it has been doing it as it's been at a relatives house for a long time. Fluid is pink color and not milky. The vent is mounted towards the top, on the side of the tank.

Anyone have any ideas what would cause that?

How full should the tank be?

[shamrock7]

Would have to guess that one of the relatives overfilled it. Assuming that it still works correctly.

[311Hemi]

That's what I was thinking as well.

Everything works just fine....it was just leaking a bit of fluid.

[CAMAN]

Did it gush out or just drip slowly?

If it gushed out while moving the hydraulics then it was more than likely overfilled. If it just dripped slowly then you probably just tipped it while moving it and got some fluid into the vent.

[311Hemi]

It was coming out fairly decent for a while....definitely more than a drip. Tipping it would not do much with the way the vent is designed.

Any idea how much fluid should be in the reservoir? Can it be run too low if there was an issue?

[jentz]

Bet its over filled with tranny fluid (pink)dont think it will harm it(tranny fluid)I used it in a pinch but tried to stick to Hydro fluid.

[MJ1657]

I don't have the same splitter as you but I keep mine about 3/4 full.

If you run it without enough fluid the hydraulics may be jerky and slow to move.

[Tom7227]

Is there a difference between tranny fluid and hydraulic fluid? Back when I paid attention to such things I think one was a vegetable type base and the other was mineral and they don't work in the opposite system because of damage to seals and gaskets.

[311Hemi]

The fluid may have been more red....pretty sure he put hydraulic fluid in it...but I will double check.

[MJ1657]

Hydraulic oil should be like the color of motor oil.

If it were mine I would drain it and refill with fresh fluid. I always use a medium hydraulic fluid.

[311Hemi]

I just looked at the label, or whats left of a label (left half of it is missing) and I did see it mentioned 10-15w automatic transmission fluid, so maybe that's why it is red. I will have to ask what was last put in it.

Even still, this was never an issue in the past so maybe it was overfilled. I need to pull the fill tube off to check the actual level in the reservoir.

[CAMAN]

I wouldn't worry about the tranny fluid in it as long as it stays the same color and doesn't turn milky or black.

The reservoir is just overfilled, drain a cup or so out of it and it should be fine.

[efgh]

I would do like MJ1657 says in the above post. Use a non foaming hyd. oil which will say low vescopise on the jug or can. A straight non detergent no. 10 will not foam either. I think your oil is foaming and coming out of the fill hole.