Revive/Restore/Reclaim

I guess you could say I was bestowed this wood splitter and an ancient Belarus tractor. I don't know exactly how long it sat there unmoved or untouched. It came as is with the property I bought 2 years ago. The 2 big hunks of rust to the side of the property looked promising. 2 years later, I gave it a try. The valve control lever was so sticky and rough, with debris from wood chips, wood sap, and long-time moisture from being out to the elements for some years; of course, it's not going to be smooth sailing. Hoses here are broken, rust everywhere, and seized bolts. everything so just left for the earth to take. I tried to restore, revive, and reclaim it to a functional piece of machinery.

The entire wood splitter needed a lot of work, but it was doable... seized bolts, worn out cracked hoses, frame somewhat twisted, gas tank hanging off, motor, seized lever, hydraulic filters, system itself. These were most affected by all the moisture, wood sap, debris, and gunk. In the end..Smooth operator!

cleaned up the rusty parts, sprayed and repaired, replaced the motor and the hoses too. The lever handle offered the most resistance, but with WD-40, I got it done.
You will see how smooth it has become. In the end..Smooth operator! Not the nicest looking repair, but it will save on heating oil when I can cut and split my own wood. I think I am already a winner in that.