Should I lubricate/grease the splitter beam?

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SawdustSA

Burning Hunk
Apr 1, 2014
164
Eastern Cape, South Africa
I am sure this has been discussed before but cannot find it.

Should I grease the splitter beam or leave it clean? I guess the grease will attract dust and sand, causing grinding paste and potentially more wear and tear.

My splitter came with grease nipples on the beam, so I often added some grease. I am just not convinced this is a good idea.

Any advice?
 
I am referring to the I-beam on which the wedge/blade is sliding on.
 

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Never greased mine, and haven't suffered for it, but it's a loose fit to the wedge, so maybe different philosophy than yours. I'd tend to agree with you though, sounds like an unnecessary mess.
 
Since my beam shows wear I spritz it with aerosol cable/chain lube before a splitting session.
 
I only oil my hydraulically adjustable wedge. I leave the beam alone
 
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Agree with the dry lube if you are gonna lube it...well, unless you like the stylish look of horizontal grease lines on the legs of your pants.
 
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My family ha been using the splitter my father got about 30 years ago.
We pour a little bit of motor oil on the beam and hydro ram.
It might be more for peace of mind, but it sure doesn't hurt.
 
Split some new Sweet Gum with ours yesterday and it got lubed and cooled with Gum sap. That was the most sap I've ever seen come out while splitting or being Gum maybe I should say cut and tearing it apart. If someone says they can split Sweet Gum with one of those flywheel splitters I'd like to see that.