Bl8tant
ArboristSite Member
I have the same splitter, and have had similar issues. I'm a small-engine gearhead and I know how frustrating a cranky engine can be. The bad news is that most of your issue is related to the cold fluid in the hydraulic system. It makes it difficult to spin the engine fast enough to get it to fire and have enough inertia left to KEEP running even if it fires. Since we have no way to disconnect the pump from the engine, your only option is to improve the conditions as much as possible. Use ethanol-free fuel, don't be afraid to use starting fluid, warm the splitter if you have any way to do so (magnetic block heaters really work), make sure you have a good plug, heat the plug.........ANYTHING you can do to give the engine a better chance to get spinning. The real bummer is that the hard-to-start due to cold weather issue also makes it easy to flood the engine. Keep a plug wrench and propane torch handy (remove plug, use torch to dry/warm plug).
On a side note, I switched the L-head briggs that came with the splitter for a OHV briggs (quieter, little more power), and the new engine has the same issue. If anything the new motor is even harder to start, but it's also spinning a 13gpm pump in lieu of the factory 11gpm pump. I cured 90% of my issues with ethanol-free fuel and magnetic block heaters (one on hydraulic tank, one on engine block).
Good Luck.....
On a side note, I switched the L-head briggs that came with the splitter for a OHV briggs (quieter, little more power), and the new engine has the same issue. If anything the new motor is even harder to start, but it's also spinning a 13gpm pump in lieu of the factory 11gpm pump. I cured 90% of my issues with ethanol-free fuel and magnetic block heaters (one on hydraulic tank, one on engine block).
Good Luck.....