Had a couple hoses start to leak under heavy pressure just pinholes so I shut it down the hoses were hard they got scorched from being close to the fire I noticed the fluid coming out was cream colored or off white. Could be from the heat, water in the fluid or air maybe. No leaks of any kind that I’ve ever seen so I’m thinking heat or the cooler weather caused the change in color.

I’m going to change the fluid in the tank then put on a new Zinga filter and fresh hydraulic oil a complete fluid change. I had 2 new hoses made the other day just need the filter to get here. So did anybody ever see the color that hydraulic is in 30-40 degree temps? Don’t want to ruin the splitter it’s a custom built 35 ton the thing splits everything it's fed.

So what’s the normal color of winter hydraulic fluid, it’s getting changed either was past due I’d say.

Sounds like it has water in it.

Unless it got water in it, probably just frothy.

That was my first thought but just cannot see that as possible it’s a closed system so it’s weird.

Color does not change

Water in oil is white I'm thinking.

There could be several reasons. Either water in the fluid. Or it is frothing up because it is getting old. When you get yourself new fluid, make sure it has a foam inhibitor in it or you/ll be changing it again. I made that same mistake and its bad for the pump and dangerous running the splitter as you are then using a compressible medium due to the fine bubbles and that can make for very erratic movement of the piston.
As the oil gets older it will start to froth up in closer temps and should be changed

It’s water, the oil should be the same color as when it comes out of the jug, it can just be condensation so just do a annual oil change, it takes a lot to hurt the system and I doubt you have caused any damage.

I would think condensation/water or air.i know alot of people are going to transmission fluid instead of hydraulic fluid. The tyranny fluid stays thinner in colder weather verses hydraulic making it easier to start and operate.as far as I know fluid stays the same color no matter the temp.

It’s been a few years since the last change it’s not an easy change with no drain on the tank I need to pull a hose to do that it’s a PITA.

Mine did the same when I ran it unlevel, turned white and foam ,
Easy fix but did change filter and oil

My bad I found a drain a recessed Allen plug under the tank it looks huge nothing that I would have it’s farmer size, 3/4 maybe 1 inch size. It’s off some John Deere piece of equipment I’ll see what the neighbor has handy. I’ll change it out with a pipe plug style so I don’t go through this again.

Keep us updated on what you find out.

Will do I’ll try to get a pic up if I get the plug pulled today.

if it got water in it, it could take a couple of times to get the oil to stay good,

Has happened to me before in my log splitter and firewood processor drain it and fill with new fluid.

A lot of fluid came out of the cylinder when changing the hoses, the filter will be changed and the tank drained. I’ll see if I can drain the pump that should be almost all of it or darn close.

Dexron 2 is good oil. Put a cow magnet in tank. Joiner nut or bolt might make an allan wrench

doesn't it have a breather cap?

mine has a breather cap

I figure it condensates much like how it gets in the gas can

we get those days were it is raining on the underside of the tin roof wood shed that is completely open on one side and fence boards on the other 3 so no were close to air tight but still get the right weather were everything is cold but the moist air moves in and condensates on everything even the underside of a tin roof that sheds all the rain

condensation.