Hydraulic fluid "top-up". In my usual maintenance of my Ryobi log splitter (Model # RY49701), I noticed the hydralic fluid to be somewhat low. The operator's manual suggested topping upo with , I assume, 22 grade hydraulic fluid, and gave several examples, eg.Shell Tellus 22, Mobil DTE 11, ARAL Vitam GF 22, etc. I am only assuming that the fluid is 22 grade given the examples but I'm unable to find that in any of the hardware, automotive, shops that I have tried. What grade hydraulic fluid should I be using, and if another grade is suggested, can I mix the fluid in the splitter as I bought it , with the top up, or should I drain the fluid and replace it with an alternative fluid? Thanks for the help. Perhaps a rather stupid question but I do want to follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Thanks again, Eric Pasquet

Check electric motor starting capacitor. See item 24 in following parts diagram.
https://www.partstree.com/parts/ryobi/log-splitters/ry49701-ryobi-electric-log-splitter/general-assembly-part-2/

Hi. You will need to run some diagnostics. I would first make sure the fluid level, color and condition is good. Low level would cause air to enter into the ram. Water in fluid would also cause the ram to loose power. Lastly you need to take a look at the ram and valve body. If the fluid passes your inspection. Take one hydraulic hose off the ram. Doesn't matter which one. Choose one that is easy to get to and easiest to place a bucket or pan underneath the open ram fitting and hydraulic hose. This test is to figure out if the ram has a bad seal or the valve body. Start the engine, actuate the lever to move the ram out and wait. When the ram reaches the limit of its travel. Either hydraulic fluid will continue to flow out of the cylinder even after the ram has stopped traveling or it won't. If fluid does not bypass the ram's seal then the issue is inside the valve body. Please start here and let me know if you need more test information. Typically a hydraulic test gauge is used to to look at line pressures. Good Luck.

Are you low on hydraulic fluid due to a leak? Check the fluid first, if that is ok the ram control valve may be leaking internally.

Air conditioners usually cannot split logs very well. They are better at cooling instead of splitting wood. If you have a wood splitter and picked AC by mistake then I would check the hydraulic fluid level, grease the slide that the splitter wedge runs on. Then change the oil in the engine and clean the airfilter or replace it. Also make sure you use fresh gas and not old gas. gas goes bad after sitting a few months.

check hydraulic fluid level in the hydralic motor pump behind left side trim panel in the trunk.look on side or end of the motor pump assembly.look for screw type check plug. first place rags under the check plug to catch fluid spill unscrew the check plug fluid level should be 1/4 inch bottom of check plug hole if low you need add correct level fluid. then screw in check plug back in place.to bleed air out hydralic system you need helper to hold switch while you raise and lower the top slowly by hand raise and lower top several times to remove air out hydralic system. see if your convertible top will open and close all the way.

Replace the Hydraulic oil in the log splitter after
every 150 hours of use. Take following steps to
replace it.

1. Make sure all moving parts stops and the log splitter is unplugged.
2. Unscrew Oil Drain Bolt with Dipstick to remove it.
3. Turn the log splitter on the Support Leg side over an 4 liters capacity container to drain the hydraulic oil off.
4. Turn the log splitter on the the motor side.
5. Refill fresh hydraulic oil at the volume as per the hydraulic oil capacity of a particular model indicated in above specifications table.
6. Clean the surface of Dipstick on the Oil Drain Bolt and put it back into the oil tank while keep the log splitter vertically.
7. Make sure the level of the refilled oil is just between 2 grooves around the Dipstick.
8. Clean the Oil Drain Bolt before thread them back. Make sure they are tightened to avoid leakage before place the log splitter horizontally.

Periodically check oil level to ensure it is between
2 grooves around the Dipstick. Upon Lower oil
level, oil refilling is required.

Source:
http://www.qci.net/files/5_Ton_Log_Splitter_-_USE_THIS_MANUAL.pdf

do you hear hydralic motor if not use test light while operating control switch up and down position, you need a helper for this procedure.if power is at switch, see if power at hydralic motor while helper work the control switch, if no power at motor hook test light to good ground if no power at hydralic motor check fuse.if power at hydralic motor and you hear no sound hydralic motor bad.if power going to control switch and not to hydralic motor either control switch bad or you have broke loose wire at switch going to motor.if all electrical system okay and when you work the up switch and hear hydralic motor running your hydralic fluid level low reason why convertible top not going up.check fluid level at the side of the motor and pump you should see screw type check plug.you should have see through side reservoir fluid level should be between min and max marks.if fluid is low check for leaks at the pump hoses and hydralic cylinders.

LISTEN FOR HYDRALIC PUMP MOTOR OPERATION IN THE TRUNK AREA..IF YES YOU HEAR HYDRALIC PUMP MOTOR RUNNING MAKING A NOISE.CHECK HYDRALIC PUMP FLUID LEVEL BY REMOVING THE SCREW TYPE CHECK PLUG.PLACE RAGS UNDER THE CHECK PLUG.AND UNSCREW REMOVE THE CHECK PLUG. FLUID SHOULD BE 1/4 INCH BELOW THE CHECK PLUG HOLE.IF FLUID IS LOW ADD FLUID UNTIL FLUID LEVEL 1/4 INCH FROM THE PLUG HOLE.IF HYDRALIC FLUID WAS WAY LOW YOU NEED TO BLEED AIR OUT OF THE SYSTEM.MAKE SURE FLUID LEVEL CORRECT.START ENGINE AND TRY RAISING AND LOWER THE CONVERTIBLE TOP USING THE SWITCH.IF TOO MUCH AIR GOT IN SYSTEM.HAVE A HELPER WORK UP AND DOWN CONTROL SWITCH WHILE YOU MANUAL OPEN CLOSE CONVERTIBLE TOP BY HANDS BLEEDING AIR OUT OF SYSTEM.KEEP EYE ON HYDRALIC FLUID LEVEL WHILE BLEEDING THE SYSTEM..LOWER THE TOP AND TURN OFF ENGINE. BEFORE OPENING THE HYDRALIC PUMP FLUID CHECK PLUG BECAUSE FLUID WILL SPRAY EVERY WHERE..IF HYDRALIC PUMP CHECK OUT OKAY AND YOU DO NOT HEAR NO HYDRALIC PUMP NOISE.POWER IS GOING TO HYDRALIC PUMP.EITHER HYDRALIC PUMP MOTOR FAULTY OR FAULTY HYDRALIC PUMP RELAY BEST TO LET MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP CHECK IT OUT...

Plug a known working lamp into the power socket to verify that power is there. This unit should be used on a 20 ampere circuit and use a heavy 12 gauge extension cord if required. When the motor runs, it also drives the pump. The pump could be in poor condition or the piston may be passing hydraulic fluid by it. Service of these units should be left to an experienced hydraulic mechanic who will have the necessary pressure gauges and other specific tools. If you just obtained this splitter, take it back for warranty service or replacement. Hydraulic service is not cheap! Hope this helps!

Make sure that you are not using a light extension cord (use a heavy 12 gauge cord) as it will starve the motor for voltage. Hopefully, there are no contaminants in the hydraulic oil which could cause the pump to bind up at times. Worst case is if the motor bearings are going bad. Hope this helps!