Operating Guide

Important Safe Operation Practices
2
3
Training
1. Read, understand, and follow all instructions
on the machine and in the manual(s) before
attempting to assemble and operate. Keep this
manual in a safe place for future and regular
reference and for ordering replacement parts.
2. Be familiar with all controls and their proper
operation. Know how to stop the machine and
disengage them quickly.
3. Never allow children under 16 years of age to
operate this machine. Children 16 and over
should read and understand the instructions
and safe operation practices in this manual and
on the machine and be trained and supervised
by an adult.
4. Never allow adults to operate this machine
without proper instruction.
5. Many accidents occur when more than one
person operates the machine. If a helper is
assisting in stacking logs, never activate the
control until the helper is a minimum of 10 feet
from the machine.
6. Keep bystanders, pets, and children at least 10
feet from the machine while it is in operation.
7. Never allow anyone to ride on this machine.
8. Never transport cargo on this machine.
9. Hydraulic log splitters develop high fluid
pressures during operation. Fluid escaping
through a pin hole opening can penetrate your
skin and cause blood poisoning, gangrene,
or death. Give attention to the following
instructions at all times:
a. Do not check for leaks with your hand.
b. Do not operate machine with frayed,
kinked, cracked, or damaged hoses,
fittings, or tubing.
c. Stop the engine and relieve hydraulic
system pressure by cycling the valve
control lever from forward to reverse
several times while engine is not
running; returning to neutral before
repairing or adjusting fittings, hoses,
tubing, or other system components.
d. Do not adjust the pressure settings of
the pump or valve.
10. Leaks can be detected by passing cardboard
or wood, while wearing protective gloves and
safety glasses, over the suspected area. Look for
discoloration of cardboard or wood.
11. If injured by escaping fluid, see a doctor
immediately. Serious infection or reaction can
develop if proper medical treatment is not
administered immediately.
12. Keep the operator zone and adjacent area clear
for safe, secure footing.
13. If your machine is equipped with an internal
combustion engine and is intended for use near
any unimproved forest, brush, or grass covered
land, the engine exhaust should be equipped
with a spark arrestor. Make sure you comply
with applicable local, state, and federal codes.
Take appropriate firefighting equipment with
you.
14. This machine should be used for splitting wood
only, do not use it for any other purpose.
15. Follow the instructions in the manual(s)
provided with any attachment(s) for this
machine.
Preparation
1. Always wear safety shoes or heavy boots.
2. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles
when operating this machine.
3. Never wear jewelry or loose clothing that might
become entangled in moving or rotating parts
of the machine.
4. Make sure machine is on a flat, dry, solid ground
before operating.
5. Always block wheels to prevent unintended
movement, and lock beam in either the
horizontal or vertical position.
6. Always operate this machine from the operator
zone(s) specified in the manual. See Figure 2-1.
Horizontal
Vertical
Figure 2-1
7. Logs should be cut with square ends prior to
splitting.
8. Use log splitter in daylight or under good
artificial light.
Safe Handling of Gasoline
To avoid personal injury or property damage use
extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is
extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive.
Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is
spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite.
Wash your skin and change clothes immediately.
a. Use only an approved gasoline
container.
b. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes,
and other sources of ignition.
c. Never fuel machine indoors.
d. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while
the engine is hot or running.
e. Allow engine to cool at least two
minutes before refueling.
WARNING! This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the personal safety and/or property of yourself
and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result
in personal injury. When you see this symbol. HEED ITS WARNING!
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65
WARNING! Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
DANGER! This machine was built to be operated according to the safe operation practices in this manual. As with any type of power equipment,
carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury. This machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing debris.
Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
f. Never overfill the fuel tank. Fill tank to
no more than ⁄-inch below bottom
of filler neck to provide space for fuel
expansion.
g. Replace gasoline cap and tighten
securely.
h. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the
engine and equipment and move
machine to another area. Wait five (5)
minutes before starting the engine.
i. Never store the machine or fuel
container inside where there is an open
flame, spark or pilot light as on a water
heater, space heater, furnace, clothes
dryer or other gas appliances.
j. Allow machine to cool at least five (5)
minutes before storing.
Operation
1. Before starting this machine, review the “Safe
Operation Practices”. Failure to follow these
rules may result in serious injury to the operator
or bystanders.
2. Never leave this machine unattended with the
engine running.
3. Do not operate machine while under the
influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication.
4. Never allow anyone to operate this machine
without proper instruction.
5. Always operate this machine with all safety
equipment in place and working. Make sure
all controls are operating properly for safe
operation.
6. Operator Zone
a. Horizontal Operating Position: Stand on
the control lever side of the log splitter
and stabilize log as shown, if needed.
See Figure 2-1.
b. Vertical Operating Position: Stand in
front of the log splitter and stabilize log
as shown, if needed. See Figure 2-1.
WARNING! When stabilizing log with
left hand, remove your hand when the
wedge just contacts the log or serious
injury may occur.
7. When loading a log, always place your hands on
the side of the log, not on the ends, and never
use your foot to help stabilize a log. Failure to do
so, may result in crushed or amputated fingers,
toes, hand, or foot.
8. Use only your right hand to operate the controls.
9. Never attempt to split more than one log at a
time.
10. For logs which are not cut square, the least
square end of the log should be placed toward
the beam and wedge, and the square end
placed toward the end plate.
11. When splitting in the vertical position, stabilize
the log before moving the control handle. Split
as follows:
a. Place log on the end plate and turn until
it leans against the beam and is stable.