Good point on the need of a filter because my splitter does not have one. Would most or all non-professional or non-commercial grade splitters come stock with a filter? I have checked Northern Tools filters and surveyed possible areas to mount one. Would splitting 2-4 cords a season at home only still be a good idea? Maintenance has all ways been a priority with machinery but I would hate to spend the bucks if it's not enhancing the use or life of the machinery with my level of use. How often would it be recommended to change the element? Is there a minimal in-line filter that you know a link to, since this splitter was not designed with a mounted filter? Ewalk and All: Would seasoning wood in Canada in a shed be slower and last longer than in the open TX sun and rain? I was very surprised (mid 80s) when I lost some quality cut and split Post Oak in 2-3 years. I feel Live Oak will last longer. I was into burning Post Oak stumps then as All Nighters and junk wood 1st because they held so well. I could get 4' X 7' X 3' high utility trailer loads free (due to being left as junk by others). Other cutters cut them just above the ground and the dozer cut them about 16"-18" below the ground. With an ax only there was very little to no work needed on the trunk. No tree or trunk was over 12" dia in the acres of development. Standing free wood or wood period is almost history in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area. Thanks to All! Loger

tpaul,if this were my tractor I'd take this opportunity to get 'two birds with one stone' and change the old hydro oil with a synthetic 5w-50 or even 0w-40 and get yourself better flow at cold temperatures and also better protection at high temps.There have been several posts on this site on how to do this.It's not that hard and could make a difference for you. If not, you've only helped yourself with better, fresher oil than what's in there now and added years to the life of your tranny.

Either you've mis-read your Operator's Manual or it has a misprint. For sure, you should be checking the level of hydraulic fluid before using the machine. WHY? Because if there is a small oil leak, it may go unnoticed by you. Checking the level every time you go to use the machine will alert you quickly to the fact that the machine is losing oil. If you ignore this rule and the machine runs low on oil, the pump will start to suck air along with the oil. When that happens, the pump wears out very quickly due to lack of proper lubrication. Making sure that the oil level is topped up is a very easy and simple exercise that requires no tools and no real mechanical ability. On top of that, the expense incurred in topping up the reservoir is minimal. The oil is supposed to be changed every 100 hours, along with the filter. Again, these things are something that most people can do on their own. You've already exceeded that change interval by 2.5 times and the first changeout is the most crucial one. Why you think it matters to the machine or the maintenance schedule whether you are cutting grass privately or commercially is rather strange. Hours on the machine are hours on the machine, no matter how the machine was used during those hours. As long as the machine is running and being used, then wear is taking place. To help you clarify in your own mind just how important these 100 hour oil changes are; here's what you should do. Get the model and serial number of your machine and jot it down on a piece of paper. Then, call up the dealer you bought it from and ask for the parts department. Have the parts man price a new hydro pump and also a drive motor for your particular unit. Jot those prices down, add them together and multiply by two because you have two of each in your machine. At that point, you can decide whether it is prudent to follow the maintenance schedule or not.

This trans axle is out of a murray lawn tractor 20 hp briggs....I didn't mention make of tractor because seems that the names may be different and the colors,but most of the hydrostatic lawn tractors use a peerless trans axle. At least it seems that way from what I've been reading, since mine failed. Brave or dumb, it's just a bunch of nuts and bolt so to speak, anyone can disassemble one of these babies...getting it to work again , well I'll let you know next weekend. Thanks for the response.