Safety & Operating Instructions
Chapter 5: Troubleshooting
Most problems are easy to fix. Consult the Troubleshooting Table below for common problems and their solutions. If you
continue to experience problems, contact us at www.MacKissic.com or call (800)348-1117 for support.
Shut down the Engine (The flywheel will continue to rotate for a while after the engine is shut off), Wait 5 minutes for the engine
to cool and all moving parts to come to a complete stop, remove spark plug wire and disconnect the negative battery cable before
moving or working on the chipper.
Troubleshooting Table
S
YMPTOM
POSSIBLE CAUSE
The engine won’t start
using electric-start.
Is the Fuel Shut-Off Valve in the ON position?
Is the spark plug wire attached?
Have you checked all the items under the section called Electric Starting in Chapter 3?
Check the wire connections, especially the large black ground wire where it connects to the
battery and where it connects to the engine.
Is your battery charged? Check the voltage yourself or at a service station. If it’s low, charge it
with a 12-volt, 1 to 2 Amp trickle charger. If you don’t use your Chipper for at least 45 minutes at
a time, the battery may need to be periodically charged. See the Battery Care section in Chapter
4.
If your battery is charged and your GRAVITY SELF-FEEDING WOOD CHIPPER still won’t
start, contact us at
www.MacKissic.com or call (800)348-1117 for assistance.
(Please refer to the
Engine Owner’s manual
for engine-specific
procedures.)
The engine lacks power
or is not running
smoothly.
Check the Throttle Lever travel and adjustment. Is the Throttle Lever in the Run position?
Is the Choke lever pushed all the way over to the RUN position? See Chapter 3.
Is the air filter clean? If it’s dirty, change it following the procedure in the Engine Owner’s
Manual.
Is the spark plug clean? If it is fouled or cracked, change it. If it is oily, leave it out, hold a rag
over the spark plug hole and engage the electric starter for a few seconds to blow out any oil in
the cylinder, then wipe off the spark plug and reinsert it.
Are you using fresh, clean unleaded gas? If it’s old, change it. Use a fuel stabilizer if you keep
gas longer than two weeks or so.
Does your engine have the right amount of clean oil? If it’s dirty, change it following the
procedure in Chapter 4.
If your engine still lacks power, contact us at
www.MacKissic.com
or call
(800)348-1117
for assistance.
(Please refer to the
Engine Owner’s Manual
for engine-specific
procedures.)
The machine’s wheels
track left or right while
being towed.
Check the tire pressure. There should be 38 psi in each tire. There should be 60 psi in each tire
if you have the Highway Accessory.
Engine smokes.
Check the oil level and adjust as needed.
You may be operating the machine on too great an incline. The machine should be level.
Check the air filter and clean or replace if needed.
You may be using the wrong oil - too light for the temperature. Refer to your Engine Owner’s
Manual for detailed information.
Clean the engine cooling fins and the carburetor housing if they’re dirty.
If the engine still smokes, contact us at
www.MacKissic.com
or call
(800)348-1117 for
assistance.
38 MACKISSIC GRAVITY SELF-FEEDING WOOD CHIPPER