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. Keep the operator zone and adjacent area
clear for safe, secure footing.
11. 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.
12. If injured by escaping fluid, see a doctor
immediately. Serious infection or reaction
can develop if proper medical treatment is
not administered immediately.
13. This machine should be used for splitting
wood only, do not use it for any other
purpose.
14. 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.
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
Fig. 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.
1. Use only an approved gasoline container.
2. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and
other sources of ignition.
3. Never fuel machine indoors.
4. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the
engine is hot or running.
5. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes
before refueling.
6. Never overfill the fuel tank. Fill tank to no
more than 1/2 inch below bottom of filler
neck to provide space for fuel expansion.
7. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
8. 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.
9. 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.
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.
10. 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. 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.
b. When splitting extra large or uneven
logs, the log must be stabilized with
wooden shims or split wood placed
between the log and end plate or
ground.
7. Use only your right hand to operate the
controls.
8. Never attempt to split more than one log at
a time.
9. 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.
10. This machine should not be towed on any
street, highway or public road without checking
the existing federal, state, or local vehicle
requirements. Any licensing or modifications
such as taillights, etc., needed to comply, is
the sole responsibility of the purchaser. If a
“Statement of Origin” is required in your state,
see your local dealer.
11. 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.
12. Always keep fingers away from any cracks that
open in the log while splitting. They can quickly
close and pinch or amputate your fingers.
13. Keep your work area clean. Immediately
remove split wood around the machine so you
do not stumble over it.