Question about DHT 35T splitter leaking hyd oil at shaft

[motoguy]

My DHT 35T splitter is about 3 years old now. I've probably split 20-ish cords with it. After the last use, I noticed it will leak oil all over the ground when stored. Just seems to be an endless supply of oil leaking onto the floor. I think I've determined the oil is coming from the shaft area, running to the bottom of the cylinder, dripping and then down the beam, and dripping off the end and/or running down the trailer wheel I put on it.

Is this a normal issue, with this little usage? I see they hydraulic warranty is only 1 year, so I need to get it fixed. Is this something I can fix myself? If not, where do I need to take it? Cylinder rebuild place like construction guys (dozers, backhoes, tracks) use?

I'd like to end all it's puking on the floor. I've never dealt with a hydraulic issue, like this, so I'm not quite sure what to do about it.

Please disregard all the dog air...the dogs sleep on the wooden deck above where it's stored, and the hair gets blown down there.

 

[pen]

Can't identify your leak from the pics, these are aftermath pics, even though they are good pics.

You have to work your way up to the highest spot you can find a leak.

Could be as simple as a line that needs tightening. But you have to find the highest dry / wet spot to identify the source.

 

[greg13]

The one picture looks like a seal leak on the cylinder. Check the rod for any rough spots, if it's smooth you may just need a seal kit

 

[VirginiaIron]

The piston photo appears too dark and close to determine definitely if that location is leaking. Any soiled hydraulic seal locations need to be cleaned well. Then, run the unit to observe where the fluid is coming from.
EDIT: if it is the cylinder you could price a repair or replacement and go from there. Northern Tool may have a replacement with a standard 2 year warranty and extended warranty options.

 

[Woodsplitter67]

Wicked hard to see from photo... get a cleaner like a carb cleaner, wipe it down, run and check for the leak.. should be easy to fined

 

[salecker]

Looks like the ram seal is leaking.To minimize the leak store with the ram in the extended position,then there wouln't be much oil on the leaking side of the piston.Seeing it is stored inside it wouln't matter.

 

[motoguy]

I'll clean it up and take another photo. I agree, it seems to be the ram seal that is leaking. Any idea what I should expect to pay for a repair like this?

 

[motoguy]

Shop about an hour away is quoting <$300 for repair. "couple hours labor and $50 for parts". DHT has the whole replacement cylinder available for $266, w/ free shipping.

(broken link removed)

Any reason I wouldn't just replace the cylinder?

 

[Woodsplitter67]

If it's really the seal I would order the seal and YouTube video on how to put the seal in it's not that difficult

 

[motoguy]

I'll PM DHT for info on the seal. I'm quite confident at this point it's just leaking around that shaft seal. I guess worst case...I end up buying a new cylinder. lol

 

[salecker]

Myself...
I would buy the seal and change it,or store with ram extended $300 bones will buy a lot of oil.

 

[motoguy]

It's stored outside, so storing with ram extended is not an option.

 

[salecker]

Storing it outside with the ram extended will not hurt it.The rams are chrome plated.Think of all the chrome bumpers that are exposed to the elements
If you look at heavy equipment sitting around you will see rams extended while they are sitting doing nothing.My EX200 has been sitting for a year and there are rams showing.Same as my Cat 426 backhoe while it is in the locked position the main ram is totally exposed.It's a 93 and i have not replaced any ram parts on it,just shy of 9000 hrs on that one so you can see that there has been 100 times that where the ram is just sitting out in the elements.