Harbor Freight Log Splitter Repair

[@karlkim7261]

Thanks to u, was able to locate the air vent screw.

[@skipperjones7490]

I got both and I like the manual 10 ton better because it will go through anything you put on it. The electric has its limits when the logs get bigger. When checking the fluid on the electric do you screw the cap all the way down or leave it on top of the threads? It makes a big difference when checking it.

[@Phiyedough]

I also have both these machines but they have now had a lot of use. My 10 ton one leaks due to worn O rings but I can't get the right thickness O rings. It actually came with a few spare parts but the spare O rings do not fit the machine. I did buy hydraulic fluid at first but am now filling it with chainsaw chain oil, which is thicker.

[@brianklavano6961]

Thank you...most helpful....just picked up two from our version of Harbour Freight....🇨🇦

[@filoIII]

Yeah. Need a full maintenance vid for this thing.

[@glennsvoboda6602]

Air vent trick i did not know. Got mine used. Thanks

[@nickfree46]

been off ill a while nut yesterday was wanting to split logs , split two and machine stopped, this video reminded me to check fluid and i forgot the valve that had to be opened, so thanks for this video will give it a try today. oh the clamp idea is great .

[@TheHomeHandyman]

Yep.....been there..... and thanks

[@ryanfairbanks5098]

I have the Homelite electric log splitter had it for years I always thought you would open the air valve and Bleed It running back and forth a few times then close it and split your wood am I supposed to leave that open while splitting wood also have you ever change the seal in the front where the cylinder comes out when you're splitting wood because unfortunately mine is leaking from there and I do not know how to change it out I have the new seal ready to go but when looking at it it looks like I got to take it all apart

[@frankgaylor8454]

Thank you for the tip the clamp:). Have you ever received one that was seized. I hadn't used mine over a year. A 5 ton. I filled it up with fluid and it was seized not moving the hydrolics

[@TheHomeHandyman]

No but on another project I used ATF and Acetone 50-50 mix and put it in the tank and kept playing around moving the piston back and forth. Slow going and took me some time playing around but it started to loosen up and got it working fine. Then you can drain and put in the correct fluid. Maybe worth a try

[@nicholasmorris617]

I just bought one like this. I installed a light switch for the one/off button. Basically the samething as your clamp. But in order for the ram to return the motor has to be off. Do you think there is a way to fix/modify this? So the motor can stay running the whole time like a normal log splitter

[@TheHomeHandyman]

I am not sure but someone else will hopefully comment and answer

[@dj5752]

Thank you for sharing. My log electrical splitter is leaking hydraulic oil on the side where the air vent is and where you would check the oil. I'm thinking there must be a gasket around the silver housing where it meets the body of the unit and maybe o-rings inside that may have to be changed. How do you remove that silver housing and are you familiar with any o-rings inside? What type of hydraulic oil should I use? I am handy working on small engine's but never worked on a log splitter. Thank You.

[@TheHomeHandyman]

I am not sure about the housing but the seals i used are easy to get at auto parts store - I use hydraulic oil from amazon and mine works fine

[@scottpearsontoolsmore185]

Great video thanks my friend I like the splitters. I have a buddy that has a electric one he uses at the lake. He is splitting little wood with it and likes it because it's small and portable. My son in law just got the one with the two bars. I don't know what he thinks about it yet. I know we are to go get some wood this week so I will find out soon. I like the videos you post you have a variety well rounded selection that's what I like about you. I'm glad you are that way not stuck on just one subject you are the handy man with much talent and very smart. Please just be yourself I like that in a person. Keep up the great work I'm trying to get caught up on all the videos keep putting them together and bringing them to us. Thanks again

[@TheHomeHandyman]

Thanks I appreciate it- you are right about the mixing it up - I like doing alot of different things

[@TheZemun]

Very good video ... Regarding wood splitter I would like to ask , if you don't mind . You see , recently I got 4t Atika 2hp electric wood splitter and it is moving but as soon as it touch the log it doesn't have power to split it. Really , you can put an IPhone there and it will stop. Motor will work but change the noise like it is struggling . No oil leaks anywhere. I appreciate if you can advice me what to do. Thanks.

[@TheHomeHandyman]

I am thinking it just does not have the Hp to force it into the wedge - you can try to sharpen the wedge and it may help some - look at other and if needed consider replacing the motor with a stronger onee and it should work better - I have a friend that replaced his motor for a similar reason and that thing will kick butt

[@TheZemun]

Thank you Sir for a swift answer. I'll try and do that. Thanks.

[@shaunmichealfreak]

I Have A Electric Log Splitter Like The One You Showed In This Video And It Splits Wood Great It's Just It Takes A Few Hours To Go Back So I Have To Wait Hours Before I Can Split Another Log, I Checked The Fluid And Filled It Up And Opened The Vent Screw But It Still Takes A Very Long Time So Can You Tell Me What's Going On With It Please.

[@TheHomeHandyman]

I am not sure if you adjusted the vent screw and its filled with hydraulic - ill see if someone comments

[@johnpublic438]

Great video! Mine just stopped working. I’m pretty sure the button that you press down is the issue. I pushed it a down in a rapid fashion and for a second it worked. Can you tell me where I can get a replacement for this part?

[@TheHomeHandyman]

Call HF to see if they have a replacement site for you to contact or maybe they do - aside from that search amazon, ebay etc for a generic type switch that looks close to what you have or that you can modify for mounting - I have done this several times on old drill presses and a bench top grinder. I hope this helps you

[@kerwinlee7453]

Nice Video! But how do I repair that it does not move returning back to the end.. it moves back only 70%.

[@benjaminbernal4970]

My Ryobi it's leaking from the back seal how do you repair that

[@Teejay481]

Hi guys i have a wood splitter similar to the one you used here with the electric motor on it .I was splitting some Australian Mallee wood and this stuff is dry and hard and when it splits it flies everywhere and is quite dangerous so i made a safety cage and fitted to it and yes much much safer .Very easy to make just two sides and a top that lifts up on hinges but only draw back is your limited to the size of your logs but mine can take a 12inch round log by whatever length you cut it.Cheers

[@TheHomeHandyman]

good idea and i have split some really dry mesquite and it can explode on you - good safety tip

[@deecarrillo7996]

Why would you not show us how you put the fluid in and how to grease it. Some of us don’t know anything about these. Would of been nice to see exactly how to use it. What about the wing nut?

[@Sean-Aviation]

Mine lose hydraulic oil fast. I made a nice gasket on the drain/fill opening but i suspect it is not leaking from there but from the cylinder above. anything can be done about it? any seal to be purchase? Other than that, when filled up with fluid it works very well.

[@medicineandmedicalreview3152]

I got a "O" ring kit from either HF or Autozone and matched up the rubber seals after replacing the other gaskets.........after that I have no leaks at all............

[@NowStopandThink]

I have a splitter like this and can't get the bolt off to check the hydraulic fluid. It's 8mm. Any ideas?

[@TheHomeHandyman]

try soaking it with a 50-50 mix of acetone and atf trans fluid (works like PB Blaster) or use a product similiar - or try heating it up which should expand the metal and see if that will loosen it

[@tamrawhitney]

I have a wood splitter very similar to this one and it’s leaking oil where the hydraulic part of the splitter, just above the oil dip stick, I believe it’s a rubber seal, how do I replace that? Can you send me a link to upload a picture? Also I live in Northern California so I cannot bring it in. Thanks

[@TheHomeHandyman]

Take the dip stick with you to a auto supply store and you should easily find another rubber "o" ring that will work for it - sound ok ?

[@tamrawhitney]

It’s not the dipstick that’s leaking it’s the part that goes back-and-forth above it. if you send me an email or sms or pm in Facebook I can send you a picture of what I’m talking about. facebook.com/twhitney49

[@tamrawhitney]

Well, it’s two years later and now the O-ring has completely disintegrated and oil is pouring out. Who can fix some thing like this? A chainsaw repair shop? I really need this machine to work.

[@TheHomeHandyman]

I am not sure about rebuilding the hydraulic because I didnt need to touch it but i will look closer at it and see if I can add anything....... It shouldnt be hard to do and getting seals I dont think should be hard at auto parts stores..... thanks

[@freedomisfromtruth]

So your manual tommy bar one didnt leak, thats been the problem with those they leak the oil out when a seal goes.

[@ranch60]

I fixed it leak how hydraulic on my earthquake log splitter about 3 years ago recently started leaking again I can't remember to put it back do you have a video I'm putting it back together

[@TheHomeHandyman]

no i dont but try a web search......sorry

[@rustedandtrusted130]

Never saw one with the Tommy bars. That would be a workout after awhile. Thanks for sharing, take care.

[@TheHomeHandyman]

No Problem...... Did I mention its for sale.....LOL

[@PoolFool]

@@TheHomeHandyman the tommy bars are stored under the bottom of the unit. Look at the ends, you'll see them. These units are prone to leaking oil. Some have replaced gaskets, but I haven't tried yet

[@lindamoggioable]

I have a very similar log splitter and it is leaking oil from the square box on the right side of the unit (looking from behind the splitter) and also out of the round metal cover over the motor. Where do I start to fix this? PLEASE! Need help.

[@nottthereyet4872]

Did you ever get help? Mine is leaking oil too. Thanks.

[@danielm6095]

Is the machine supposed to leak oil from the wingnut /when opened? How much fluild does it use ?

[@TheHomeHandyman]

I do not loose any fluid at all - just open the air screw at the top on the back some - does not have to be all the way open - because its at the top there is no lose of fluid - on the bottom fill screw I made sure the rubber ring seal is in good shape and if not the hardware stores carry replacements

[@terryfroude4748]

I have the same one. When I was splitting the wood the thingy wouldn't return to the start position. How do I get it to go back. It's stuck out and won't go back. Please help. Thanks.

[@TheHomeHandyman]

Check the hydraulics on it or make sure you have fluid filled up it and turn the valve like i was showing you in the video - im just guessing here but start with those things OR call HF customer service and ask to talk to a technical dept - they may be able to tell you real quick how to deal with it

[@terryfroude4748]

The Home Handyman thanks man ..I figured it out. It was the Piston spring.. the washer holding it in place came​ off. I'll get one at the store tomorrow. Never thought on sharpening the thing. Got it done now. Thanks again..

[@TheHomeHandyman]

I use Kobalt from Lowes as i remember but any good hydraulic fluid would work well

[@radosawm6268]

I have the same machine, but mine didnt work. Have no power to split the wood. The oil is enought. The motor runs properly. What's the problem in this case?

[@glendonw8888]

air in it

[@bretmazur8974]

@@glendonw8888 ok air in it how do you bleed these units mine has air

[@glendonw8888]

@@bretmazur8974 i cant remember.My brother did it,i think he just cracked the bleed screw under the hydralic ram and then worked it forward ,till clear fluid squirted out.Did that a couple times,then fill and tighten

[@ButlerPA1130]

Great video! I’m having a different problem and was hoping you could help me out if you have a second. My electric wood splitter is almost identical to the first one you fixed in the video. The problem with mine is that the ram doesn’t retract after splitting the wood. Actually, it does but very very slowly. Any ideas? Thank you in advance - John

[@TheHomeHandyman]

make sure you have the hydraulic fluid filled up - secondly i keep the ram as clean and lubed - now i will say on mine the ram does retract slowly also - if these simple steps do not help hopefully someone else will post or do a web search - both of mine actually retract slow

[@realgagne2956]

What kind of hydraulic fluid did you use? ........... My manual says T22, GF 22,HCP 22 and DTE 11. I can't find any of those numbers at Home Depot or Walmart.

[@CoBrAChiCKeN948]

I would also like to know

[@DonaldAJr]

I love your video on this so thank you so much for doing it. Granted I don't think this will fix my problem. My buddy was rolling my red Harbor Freight electric log splitter from my building in my backyard to the front yard and it rolled over breaking the push lever. I put some vise grips to it, it went out, but it automatically went right back in the second it touched the log. How do I fix this if you have an acknowledge on it, I forget the name of it, and it's already back out in my building. p.s. Thank you for telling me it's easier to split freshly cut wood than dry wood, about the air screw (I believe I remember that because it had a tag on it but now after 4 years it's gone, and I didn't know about standing it up. I have just left it on all 4s.

[@TheHomeHandyman]

not able to see how it was broken but are you able to weld it back on or another pc of steel ?

[@DonaldAJr]

@@TheHomeHandyman First of all thank you for replying to my message, I really wasn't expecting it. Actually I think I can just unscrew one piece and buy a new one to go into the hole. It didn't really look like that big of a deal and it was made a pot metal, so it didn't bend - it just snapped off and I can't see any rational reason for internal damage. I believe it's approximately 4 if not 5 years old and I watched another video that showed somebody taking out a sleeve of a different kind of electric log splitter that had o-rings on it. The one he was working on was in the same vicinity of where this piece broke off (the lever actuator). I can't remember exactly what he said now but I think he said it was something about pressure or something. It's raining here today so I can't go check on one of the things that I loved about your video. You showed there was a screw on the front of it that releases air from the inside of it. I had some guys clean out my building about 3 weeks ago and I believe there was a tag on the front of that screw because there was a twist tie on it. I need to make sure it isn't as simple as that. I also love how you showed me how to check the oil on the thing. Like an idiot, I listened to my buddy and unscrewed a piece that leaked some out and very fast I tightened it back up, so I know it's definitely low now. I definitely don't want you ripping into yours if you still have it, so I'm kind of like lost. I watched three or four videos entirely and started a few that was just off the wall. Hands down yours was the best because you broke everything down into layman's terms. Again thank you for reading my message and replying. If you have any thoughts or insight please reply back. It would be greatly appreciated.

[@TheHomeHandyman]

actually if there are "O" rings and you do have to take it apart you should probably go ahead and replace them at the same time as a precaution - this is not something i have experience at doing - Secondly you may be able to buy "All Thread" in the size you need but you will have to bend it into a handle - again this is not something i have done on this machine but im sure there may be a couple ways to repair it easy enough - again thanks for reaching out and asking about it

[@DonaldAJr]

@@TheHomeHandyman to be honest you are freaking amazing. I opened the dipstick like you showed and it was bone dry. Then I went to Walmart and got 2 hydraulic oil deals that was maybe 10 to 14 ounces each (yes it a wide range in numbers but I'm a stickular for details). It took almost 100% of the first one and worked like brand new. But again my buddy was like, unscrew a side screw and see what happens. A good half ounce probably drained out before I got it closed because I wasn't smart enough to see it for a few seconds. So a humongous thank you for helping me fix my machine. It makes life so easy compared to a sledgehammer and I log spelling wedge.

[@butler64]

is there any way to make them stronger for cheap?

[@TheHomeHandyman]

possibly a more powerful motor but its something i have not tried..........maybe someone else will comment on this

[@realgagne2956]

how to repair the hydraulic pump that is bolted to the back of the motor, and leaking fluid?

[@goldvulcan9284]

What if the motor is frozen can it be somewhat fixxed

[@TheHomeHandyman]

Yes but it depends on what is causing the freeze - where I am there is a motor repair shop - small and charges nothing for estimate and to tell you what it is - could be best to find one near you and then you can decide on the repair v. just buying a new motor

[@mdargusch]

I want to show my 9yo how to use my log splitter. I'm afraid he might forget to open the screw. Will it damage the unit or just not work properly?

[@TheHomeHandyman]

I have used it both ways with no problem but i realize right away that i need to open it............just put a note on it like I do that reminds you to open it.........I use a black marker

[@robinjohnson4884]

How do I get the log pusher to return?

[@twin.shotta]

My arm is bent on it how do I fix

[@TheHomeHandyman]

without seeing what you mean i would say to heat it up and bend it back

[@twin.shotta]

@@TheHomeHandyman I seen that they went on recall back in 2011

[@JasonGreene]

I've got a manual one and it started leaking the fluid. i think I need to take it apart and replace all the seals... not sure

[@TheHomeHandyman]

on the one in the video they are easy to replace once you locate the leak = small O rings made of rubber......unless your talking about a gasket on the one you have ....not sure what you have or how it looks