Why Fall is the Most Dangerous Season for Your Hydraulic Wood Splitter

If you live in a cold climate, Fall is the season of the woodpile. You're out there with your hydraulic splitter, getting your fuel ready for the winter. But what many people don't realize is that the drop in temperature is a massive stress test for your hydraulic system.

Hydraulic oil has a property called "viscosity," which is basically a fancy word for how thick it is. In the summer heat, the oil flows like water. But as the temperature drops toward freezing, it becomes more like molasses. If you start your splitter on a 30-degree morning and immediately go to work on a heavy oak log, you're asking for trouble.

Thick, cold oil can't flow through the pump fast enough. This creates a vacuum, causing the "screaming" sound I've talked about before—cavitation. At MOYOTEC, we always tell our customers: let the machine warm up. Run the cylinder back and forth a few times without a load. Let the friction of the moving parts warm the oil up to its operating temperature.

Also, check your seals. Cold makes rubber brittle. A seal that was fine in July might crack in October. A five-minute warm-up routine and a quick look at your fittings can save you a $300 pump replacement and ensure your house stays warm all winter.