Product Manual

34
Summary of Important Safety Information for Operation
• Unattended. Never leave the machine unattended while the engine is running.
• Under the influence. Never operate, or let anyone else operate, the log splitter while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or
medication.
• Adjusting/repairing. Always make sure the engine is off before cleaning, repairing or adjusting the splitter, except as
recommended by the manufacturer. In addition, disconnect the spark plug and move all control handles back and forth to relieve
system pressure before changing or adjusting hydraulic system components such as hoses, tubing, fittings or other components.
• Carbon monoxide. The running engine gives off carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas that can kill you. You CANNOT smell it, see
it, or taste it. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using the log splitter, shut off the engine and get to fresh air RIGHT
AWAY. See a doctor. You may have carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Other exhaust dangers. Engine exhaust, some of its constituents and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Avoid inhalation of exhaust.
Safety in Loading, Operating, and Unloading
• Square log ends. Logs that are not cut square can slide out while splitting and become a safety hazard or cause excessive force to
log splitter components. Use a chainsaw to cut logs square on each end before attempting to split them.
• Single log. Never attempt to split more than one log at a time. Pieces of log can unexpectedly be thrown from the machine
causing serious injury.
• Split along grain. Do not use the log splitter to split logs across the grain. Doing so will damage the log splitter and could also
cause pieces of log to be thrown, injuring the operator or bystanders.
• Keep hands clear. ALWAYS keep hands and feet away from the ram, wedge, and partially split logs while loading, operating
and unloading the log splitter.
• Operator position. ALWAYS operate the log splitter from the manufacturer’s indicated OPERATOR POSITION. Other
positions are unsafe because they can increase the risk of injury from crushing, cutting, flying objects, or burns.
• Straddling / reaching across. Never straddle, reach across, or step over the beam while the engine is running and the log splitter
is in the horizontal position. You could trip, actuate the controls, and get seriously injured.
• Second person. Many accidents occur when there is more than one person involved in loading and operating the log splitter.
Only one person should operate the controls. If a second person is assisting in loading logs, the operator must NEVER actuate
the Split Control Lever until the assistant and all bystanders are at least 10 feet away. NEVER allow an assistant to hold the log
in place while the operator actuates the Split Control Lever.
• Loading/Unloading
• Unsplit log pile. Do not pile logs to be split in a place that will make you reach across the log splitter in order to load them.
• Hold bark side. Hold the bark side of logs when loading or positioning, never the ends. Never place your hands or any part
of your body between a log and any part of the log splitter.
• Ram moving. NEVER load or unload logs while the ram is moving.
• Cracks. Cracks in logs can close quickly and pinch fingers. Keep fingers away from any cracks that open in partially split
logs.
• Split log pile. Move each log away from log splitter after it is split. Split logs left near the log splitter are a trip hazard.
• Remove hands. Remove both hands from log before activating Split Control Lever.
• Hand activate. Use only your hand to operate the Split Control Lever. Never use any other body part, or a rope, cable, or other
remote device to actuate the control.
• Returning ram. Once the control valve is actuated in the return direction, the ram is designed to keep returning by itself
completely and then stop automatically. Stay clear while the ram is returning. It is still powerful enough on the return stroke to
cause serious injury.
• Log stuck on wedge. A log can become stuck to the wedge if the wedge becomes embedded in the log and the log doesn’t split
and separate. This can happen if the log is too stringy or tough to split completely. If this happens, follow the directions below to
manually remove the log:
IMPORTANT: NEVER attempt to remove a stuck log by using the hydraulic force of the splitter, or by modifying or
adding attachments to splitter. Personal injury could result from log or metal pieces flying out at high speed toward
the operator or bystanders, or the splitter could become damaged.
1. Retract ram fully.
2. Turn engine OFF.
3. Remove stuck log from the wedge manually with a pry bar or a sledgehammer. Be extremely careful, as log pieces may fly
off as they separate from the wedge. Wear safety goggles and make sure bystanders are clear.
4. Do not attempt to resplit a stuck log once it has been removed from the wedge.
• Refueling. Never refuel the engine until it has cooled at least two minutes.