Electric log splitter repair

A quick and simple repair to get this electric log splitter bought from home depot.

[@perssoh11]

A really good video. Thank you. Besides, was funny to experience another dad that have a son like I have :) .

[@naturewatcher7596]

Got the hum from the motor for the first time plus some burning smell. After watching the video checked the capacitor - several bulges and a big blob which leaked out of it. Ordered the new capacitor now - should solve the problem. Thank you.

[@bigoxhs6437]

Excellent, very informative. Especially all of the extra information that you give, just in conversation. You helped me big time to solve my problem, and I also learned a lot about capacitors which is something I have always wanted to learn. Thanks again. Keep up the great work.

[@schmeeagain8953]

got the death hum starting splitter for first time this season. i am not mechanically or electrically inclined at all. found your video, spun the fan and it runs but only if i manually spin fan. checked the capacitor and there are 2 bulges. i think your excellent repair video has solved my problem. thank you!

[@domeniclocalzo9498]

Thanks again Steve it was the capacitor and my log splitter is now working just fine !👍🏻👍🏻

[@DokDream]

Well done. Excellent detail and logical presentation. My 5-ton splitter choked on anything bigger than a twig. Finally, today, it hummed it's death-sone, then went silent. I opened the control box and saw the switch tended to hang, which gave shut-off problems. And the capacitor looked good, but I decided to replace it anyhow. Had to order online and they should be here in a few days. So, about $30 for new parts. That should do it. I couldn't find a 300 V cap, so I made do with a 250. Should work well enough. Your explanation helped me regarding the capacitor. Thanks.

[@jimwhitesell6040]

Thanks so much for the video. I followed your steps and the new capacitor works great!

[@genereed8388]

thanks, liked the spin the propeller start for troubleshooting as a start circuit problem

[@Reftravun]

Successful repair done in one video, if only all projects were that easy ;-) Merry Christmas!

[@stevewatr]

Merry Christmas to you too!

[@safarijonas3490]

Thank u! Very well explained!

[@odle96]

Excellent video!!

[@dieselxdan]

thank you for help!!! Same thing happened here.

[@domeniclocalzo9498]

Awesome video thank you so much, I now need to find a capacitor 🙂

[@daganhaddad]

great info - mine was doing the humming last yr - I just sprayed graphite as it seemed the fan was stiff - today...I got nothing - no hum or click & I managed to break 3 fan blades trying to turn it :( - anyhow - I opened the electrical which had layer of ice in the bottom & looked @ that capacitor but never took note if it was bulged...short story long - it's working now (not that I did anything next to wd-40), but the ash I'm trying to split that I cut yesterday ain't happening! lol

[@patdufresne6209]

I have the exact same log splitter, and I know this is very hot right now, but it just seems to have lost some of its power. Could it be low in oil or the part you are describing?

[@johnstrange6799]

I've never seen an electric one before. I like how it's means of transport is factored into the design.

[@stevewatr]

I like it a lot. Bought it on home depot online. Was pretty cheap as I recall. I just finished packing your stuff. Shipping in the morning.

[@johnstrange6799]

@@stevewatr For a small stove or to split a batch of camp fire wood it looks ideal, and no gas engine to fool with. That's great, thank you again Steve. It took some doing but we got it done. :)

[@davidperdue7506]

Another KZbinr had the same iss. Hold the lever down first, then push the button. He determined it was the pump/engine system.

[@medodford9841]

Very good thank you

[@tamrawhitney]

Have you replaced the seal on a leaky hydraulic?

[@MarkAAshdown]

Hi - it’s best to run the motor momentarily before applying the load.

[@phillawson4505]

Hey where exactly do those capacitors wires go? I've got one that the capacitor was taken out of it.

[@ryansaving]

What’s the last mechanical appliance that I use for homestead stuff that will ever come from? China, I have drills machines are,/waves that were built 70 years ago still worked like a charm. No issues not the first issue.

[@Rottrsq]

Informative video - In a former life I repaired vacuum tube style Grundig stereo units - The power supply capacitors frequently failed after years of use. They were the same large can style, same as yours. I never replaced them with anything other than new factory fresh components. Capacitors are cheap, use new parts, unless you want to do the same repair again, unless its all you can afford.

[@stevewatr]

I've repaired some of those Grundigs back in the day. Also liked the Telefunken table radios. I agree about the caps, but this was a get er done kinda of repair.

[@Budman157]

Mine did the same thing but when I spin the fan it Vonda up in places. So I do t know if it's bearing or something in the pump :(

[@martincahill1809]

Change the start button to stay on

[@troygman6033]

Warning you must wait 15 minutes before disconnecting capacitor so it can have time to discharge or you will get zapped

[@evelyntanner6740]

How do I fix my splitter from leaking oil

[@Brian-bf1kn]

Does starting the motor numerous times shorten the life of the motor run capacitor? Isn't it better to set the motor running all the time one is using it, and just use the hydraulic activation lever when splitting the logs? My brand new Homelite unit blew it's capacitor after splitting 8 small logs.

[@stevewatr]

Theoretically, yes. However, the designer gave the unit a spring loaded power button for a reason. Most likely safety. So they should have anticipated numerous start stop cycles and rated the capacitor to handle it. However, maybe they flirted with a "just enough" rating to save money, or maybe the capacitor supplier has poor quality control. Another possibility is they did not consider real world applications like running off a 50 foot cheap extension cord. The voltage drop form a long cheap cord can be a killer. Remember, as long as you get the microfarads right, you can go oversize on voltage rating. A 450 volt cap can handle abuse better than a tree fitty one. Only limitation is physical space in the box. Larger voltage rating means a physically larger capacitor.

[@dannyli7839]

Any idea how to loosen a tight motor? All it does is hum and even spinning the motor doesn’t get it going. I’ve replaced the capacitor for the hell of it and it still did not fix the issue.

[@stevewatr]

Sounds like you might have a problem with the hydraulic pump binding. But I never had that problem so im afraid I cannot be of help

[@gldead3741]

SO I don't know if you will answer this but here goes, I bought an electric splitter from amazon 6.5 ton and I am unable to get it to split wood . When I try to split wood the hydraulic arm brings the wood in contact with the wedge but is stops .

[@stevewatr]

Does the motor keep running and it just stops pushing? Might be low on fluid.

[@daganhaddad]

hey - last commenter again - I ended up replacing the capacitor shortly after comment & looks like I need to do it again 2 yrs later w/next to no use....

[@stevewatr]

A couple thoughts. First, it might have been a low-quality capacitor. Just like many imports, quality can be lacking at times. especially during the COVID era. Also, if you have the room, consider a higher voltage rating. With these motor capacitors, as long as you have the microfarad rating correct, you can use a higher voltage cap. Only limitation is physical size of the cap is bigger as voltage rating increases. But a 450 volt rated cap will take the stresses much better than a 250

[@leesmith2162]

Do you need to have the capacitor on it to work and what oils happen if you wired it straight

[@stevewatr]

Yes. You need the capacitor. If you bypass it too long it will damage the windings.

[@leesmith2162]

@@stevewatrthanks for replying.. it’s strange my splitter was working like new and randomly quit. Now theres no power wat so ever when u try the switch. Also as if the switch blew

[@stevewatr]

@@leesmith2162 does yours have the circuit breaker like mine?

[@leesmith2162]

@@stevewatr yes, I figured out the problem yesterday, it was the switch. I took it apart and those switches are ah points setup , one was stuck I guess it was held to long or something and got hot, I cleaned it up and now it work’s perfect again

[@earthenergyhex]

your bar is bent in the same spot as mine

[@TheBreamer999]

My capacitor is 80uf 300v and I can't find it on amazon, they are either 60uf or 100uf. What is the issue if I chose a 60 to replace an 80uf. It's a Five ton Yardworks , circa 2015 and the capacitor is blown out swollen on one side

[@stevewatr]

I'd advise against it. The microfarad rating is a design choice by the engineers to provide optimal power under load, so a 60 or 100 might run the motor, but cause loss of force when splitting tough wood. The voltage on the other hand can be raised, as long as you have the physical space required to mount the larger cap in the box.There are plenty of cheap 450 VAC 80 uf caps out there. If you can fit one in the case, you are golden. Keep in mind the 300 VAC rating is over rated to compensate for voltage spikes during operation of the 120 volt motor, so a 250 VAC might be okay, but not as reliable as the 300 or higher cap.

[@TheBreamer999]

@@stevewatr Finally got my 80uF, 450 volts, slightly bigger but it fits. Tested and works great, thanks for the video

[@phillawson4505]

​@@TheBreamer999 can you tell me where you ordered it from? And what exact part?

[@fookutube501]

Roasting his son aat the end lol..

[@mariodinovo4018]

Hard wire it so it stays running

[@gavintunley4277]

Log splitter repair

[@jamesdaul8540]

So what would be the Issue if It humms but you can't turn the fan? Is it total junk at this point??

[@stevewatr]

Can you turn it with the power off? If not, then Id suspect a bad bearing.

[@jamesdaul8540]

@@stevewatr It must be a bearing...

[@jamesdaul8540]

Would it be the bearing in the motor and If so is it worth it to replace the motor?

[@stevewatr]

@@jamesdaul8540 it depends on the way its put together. Ive never had one of these particular motors apart. Some have replaceable bearings.

[@jamesdaul8540]

@@stevewatr Would a faulty breaker on the motor keep the fan shaft from spinning?? I just pressed the button and it hummed until the garage breaker tripped not the breaker on the splitter.. What are your thoughts?

[@rickyscott6830]

you have three hands :)

[@scott-jc5nd]

Good video, but a little hard on your son.

[@wilmathurman6524]

Craftsman 5 ton electric log splitter

[@captlarry-3525]

tHE BLOWN OUT BOTTOM IS DIAGNOSTIC..

[@ed-xs3pu]

Oh is Mexico your area of expertise? Haha

[@johnpuzyr8039]

must be the 3 stooges

[@ryansaving]

I have a brand-new machine just have an issues so like out about eight hours of use on it and I claiming it as a piece of junk so give me your address dude I’ll send it to you for no charges

[@gavintunley4277]

Have you seen this

[@ryansaving]

I’ve got the same issue going on with my capacitor reading good but I did replace the capacitor and it ran but the motor under amp draw was pulling 28 to 30 A so all I can say is don’t buy shit made out of China

[@Jan-ks2rx]

Patronizing