Wood splitters do a great job in the cold season when it comes to splitting wood quickly and with little effort. It is all the more annoying when the log splitter fails. Below we will explain to you what errors or problems could occur if the log splitter no longer works.
Why is my log splitter no longer working?
If the log splitter stops working, first check the fuel orPower supply, oil and hydraulic fluid levels and the size of the wood. Possible problems include loose screws, clogged oil filters, broken seals, leaking valves or hoses and bent parts. If the engine is damaged, have a specialist carry out the repair.
Vertical or horizontal log splitter
Wood splitters are available in two different versions: horizontal (lying) and vertical (standing). Private individuals usually own horizontal log splitters because they are significantly cheaper, more manageable and easier to transport. However, they are also more prone to defects because they are designed for less heavy work, i.e. for thinner wood. Below we will explain the most common causes of errors in horizontal log splitters.
What's the problem?
With horizontal and occasionally also with vertical log splitters, one problem in particular always occurs: the log splitter no longer moves up, so it gets stuck in the wood, so to speak. This can have various causes.
Causes of malfunction
First you should make sure that there is a defect and check the following:
- Does the wood splitter have enough gasoline or is there a power supply?
- Is the wood perhaps so hard or too big?
- Is the log splitter supplied with sufficient oil and hydraulic fluid?
Once you have checked these basic things, it's time to get down to the smallest details. In order to take a closer look at your log splitter, you should remove the panel. Thenlook for leaking oil, leaking hoses and loose screws. The error can have the following causes, among others:
- Screw loose
- Oil filter clogged
- used gaskets
- leaking valve
- hoses leaking
- bent parts
How to repair your log splitter
If you have one of the problems mentioned above, you can fix it yourself, for example:
- Refill hydraulic fluid and/or oil (€24.00 on Amazon)
- Replace valves, hoses or seals
- Tighten screws
- Clean or replace oil filter
- replace individual parts
When should an expert be consulted?
You can't repair everything yourself. If there is damage to the engine or you cannot determine the cause of the damage, you should consult a specialist. The repair is usually worth it, because even a cheap log splitter costs at least 150 euros new.
