Splitter not starting??

[WellSeasoned]

Anyone else have trouble starting the huskee 22 ton or another splitter? Temp 13 deg F in morning by early afternoon temp 21 F.
It started 3 times for about 5 seconds, then nothing. I HAVE done prev mainten on it over the months. I need to go through the manual to see maybe fuel filter froze?? If any....
Any suggestions appreciated. Thx

 

[Backwoods Savage]

That could be it. I always put anti-freeze stuff (I think it is Heat) in the gas during the winter months. Also always use Stabil.

 

[WellSeasoned]

Thx Dennis, I was looking at a thread from 2009 that has some ideas, torpedo heater ect. Or your idea.... wait for mother nature to warm things up. I cut up huge red oak today, about 2 cords worth. When the splitter didnt start, not happy. I dont know what tired me out more, cuttin or pulling the pull start. Even tried getting close with the truck and warming it with the exhaust! No luck

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Ya, I'm at the point where I want electric start on all motors. Have you tried any starting fluid? Sometimes that is enough to get things working; sometimes not.

 

[thewoodlands]

Anyone else have trouble starting the huskee 22 ton or another splitter? Temp 13 deg F in morning by early afternoon temp 21 F.
It started 3 times for about 5 seconds, then nothing. I HAVE done prev mainten on it over the months. I need to go through the manual to see maybe fuel filter froze?? If any....
Any suggestions appreciated. Thx

Stupid question, do you have a fuel shut off, is it on?

 

[Foragefarmer]

I have had a Huskee 22 ton for 3 years now. Mine can be hard to start when it is in the 20's and below. Although I don't like doing it a squirt or two of ether gets it going. I wish it had a choke rather than the primer bulb set up.

 

[WellSeasoned]

I would have used starting fluid/ether, but didnt have any, wasnt at home. No fuel shutoff on it either. Going to research magnetic engine block heater. Even researching online, tsc co, ect this is a common problem with the huskees. This is something I should have considered back in the spring, but didnt even think it...

 

[Butcher]

I have encountered this with a friends splitter that is the same as yours. It should start no matter what the temp is. Next time you try it, get it to running and when it starts to kill, push the primer bulb in giving it more fuel and see if it gets ta going. Keep pumping the bulb until it keeps runnin and this will narrow down the problem.

 

[MasterMech]

You can choke an engine a bit by hand, remove the air cleaner/filter and cover the intake with your hand (gloves are a good idea), and give 'er a tug.

 

[Foragefarmer]

I have encountered this with a friends splitter that is the same as yours. It should start no matter what the temp is. Next time you try it, get it to running and when it starts to kill, push the primer bulb in giving it more fuel and see if it gets ta going. Keep pumping the bulb until it keeps runnin and this will narrow down the problem.

You are right about keep pressing the bulb once you get it started, but with mine you can pull and pull and pull when it is cold and it won't start without a little ether on cold days. I really just don't try to run it when it is below about 30 anymore. I have wood in the barn and on the patio.

 

[ScotO]

+1 for MM's idea, see if that helps. I have that problem on occasion with different bulb-prime engines, but I honestly think that cold weather + ethanol laced gas is a bigger part of the problem nowadays. The engine heater you mentioned will probably help out alot, but it won't kill you to use a shot of ether (or even a catalyst spray like Trizoil or WD-40) in the carb to help start her up.....

 

[greg13]

You need to remember that not only are you dealing with cold engine oil ( I like to use synthetic oil in the snow blower), you are also trying to pump Hydraulic oil that may as well be peanut butter through the pump at the same time. A magnetic heater on the Hydraulic tank may help more than the engine heater.

 

[ScotO]

You need to remember that not only are you dealing with cold engine oil ( I like to use synthetic oil in the snow blower), you are also trying to pump Hydraulic oil that may as well be peanut butter through the pump at the same time. A magnetic heater on the Hydraulic tank may help more than the engine heater.

Thats true, too. My Swisher 22 ton has a pump disengage option, a lever that you can pull out to remove tension on the belt that drives the pump. Makes a HUGE difference when cold starting. I overlooked mentioning that, but boy it does make a difference!

 

[loon]

When its this cold out i leave the engine in the off position and pull the cord slowly till it gets easier. Then turn on with full choke and starts everytime

That heater on the oil tank is a great suggestion greg

 

[Backwoods Savage]

I would have used starting fluid/ether, but didnt have any, wasnt at home. No fuel shutoff on it either. Going to research magnetic engine block heater. Even researching online, tsc co, ect this is a common problem with the huskees. This is something I should have considered back in the spring, but didnt even think it...

It is just one of the reasons I like to wait until spring to do the splitting.

 

[thewoodlands]

Anyone else have trouble starting the huskee 22 ton or another splitter? Temp 13 deg F in morning by early afternoon temp 21 F.
It started 3 times for about 5 seconds, then nothing. I HAVE done prev mainten on it over the months. I need to go through the manual to see maybe fuel filter froze?? If any....
Any suggestions appreciated. Thx

After reading this earlier today I started up the MTD 20 ton, it started hard but once it was going ran great. It was outside covered with a tarp, started after about 12-15 pulls, usually starts after two.

 

[WellSeasoned]

After reading this earlier today I started up the MTD 20 ton, it started hard but once it was going ran great. It was outside covered with a tarp, started after about 12-15 pulls, usually starts after two.

What were your temps? I think it was the cold and the added wind yesterday. Wasnt fun loading the heavy rounds into the superduty x 3 trips. Havent got off the couch yet today.

 

[thewoodlands]

What were your temps? I think it was the cold and the added wind yesterday. Wasnt fun loading the heavy rounds into the superduty x 3 trips. Havent got off the couch yet today.

I think we had a high of 13, last week we had nights -34 (thats with the windchill) I might put some dry gas in it this week.

 

[aussiedog3]

try priming it ALOT, and then give it a pull.

 

[MasterMech]

... ethanol laced gas is a bigger part of the problem nowadays.​

Actually should help with sub-freezing starts. (You pour alchohol in your fuel tank to help prevent freeze-ups and get rid of water. That's what Dry-gas/Heet is, alchohol. )

A magnetic heater on the Hydraulic tank may help more than the engine heater.​

Apply your wisdom with the engine oil to the hydraulic oil as well. A good quality synthetic hydraulic oil will do wonders for cold-weather operation and help keep system temps in check for summer use as well. Am I the only nut that runs synthetic in everything now? (Even my saws and other 2-cycle equipment is burning synthetic pre-mix.)

Used my splitter Friday morning, 7 degrees outside not factoring windchill (doesn't affect machinery like it does you and I!). Fired 1st tug but lost it as soon as I opened the choke. The choke is somewhat touchy to "feather" on that engine. 2nd tug was the last one for the day. (and we fulfilled our quota for the morning, 2 mid-size truck loads, my Canyon and his Dakota.)

 

[nate379]

1500w heater, stick it near the engine for 5-10mins. My tractor wouldn't start this afternoon, was -15*. Starter could barely turn it over, oil was so thick. 5w30 synthetic too.
After I threw the heater near the motor it was cranking over like it was 60* out.

 

[MasterMech]

5w30 synthetic too.​

Just curious Nate, what brand?

 

[nate379]

Don't remember, Walmart brand probably. I don't get too fussy with the yard equipment.

 

[BobUrban]

I run synthetics in every toy as well. I just think it is a small price to pay for tools that get run infrequently. I pretty much keep my friends Husky 34 ton(I think - it's the big one) at my house 10 months a year and do all the maintenance on it. I feel it is a small price to pay for pretty much a free splitter and he is not big on maintaining his toys. I have not had too much trouble getting it running in cold temps but the first start is always the toughest!!

 

[nate379]

If I think of it I'll see if the "Chonda" on my wood splitter will fire up when I get home. It was about -10* when I left this morning. I've used it in single digit temps with no hassle starting it. The cylinder was really slow to move till it got warmed up though.