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Start-up Procedure

Important Notice

Do not start the engine.  Follow all the instructions in the “Start-up Procedure”
before operating the log splitter.  Failure to follow this recommendation will
result in engine and hydraulic pump damage.

If this log splitter is purchased without an engine, the customer assumes all liabilities that
might arise from an engine that is incompatible with the design of the log splitter.  Also
any unauthorized changes or modifications to the log splitter will void all warranties.

IMPORTANT: Before starting the engine, read the engine manufacturer’s operating and
maintenance instruction manual.  If an engine manual was not supplied with the log split-
ter, it is your responsibility to obtain a manual.  Start by contacting the store where you
purchased the log splitter.  If they cannot help you, contact the engine manufacturer.

1.  Fill the hydraulic tank with 9 gallons of SAE 10W tractor hydraulic oil or automatic

transmission fluid such as Dextron III.  The tank is full when the oil level is one inch
from the top of the tank.  Do not tighten the fill cap at this time.

2.  Fill the engine’s crank case with the engine manufacturer’s recommended oil.

3.  Lubricate the surface of slide rail with grease.  This will help to prevent wear between

the slide plates and the slide rail.

4.  Remove the spark plug wire from the engine.  This prevents the engine from starting

until the hydraulic pump and cylinder are completely filled with oil.  Make sure the
spark plug wire is held away from the spark plug with string or other nonconductive
material.

5.  Push the valve control handle to the forward position (towards the front of the cylin-

der) with one hand and pull the engine starter cord (about 15 times) with the other
hand until the cylinder piston moves forward.  (Keep everything away from the split-
ting wedge during this step.)

NOTE: Extending the cylinder piston draws the hydraulic fluid through the system and
expels any trapped air in the system.

Important Notice

If your log splitter is equipped with a factory installed engine, do not mix oil
with the gasoline.  Using mixed oil/gasoline in a four cycle engine can cause
engine damage.

815-672-8861

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Brave Products, Inc.

Inspection and Maintenance

General Maintenance Check (before operating)

The hydraulic system (hoses, cylinder, and pump) should be carefully inspected before
each use.  Also inspect the mechanical parts at the same time.  Make sure all hoses,
clamps, nuts, bolts, fittings, etc. are properly installed and tightened.

Do not check for leaks with your hand.  Leaks can be located by pass-
ing a piece of cardboard or wood around the suspected leak and look-
ing for discoloration.  High-pressure fluid escaping from a very small
hole can be almost invisible.  Escaping fluid under pressure can have
sufficient force to penetrate skin, causing serious injury or even death.
If fluid is injected into your skin, it must be treated immediately by a doc-
tor familiar with this type of injury.

Always replace frayed, kinked, or cracked hoses and/or other damaged hydraulic com-
ponents with Brave Products authorized parts and components specified in the “Parts”
section of this manual.  Replacement parts from secondary suppliers (not original Brave
replacement parts) can lead to product damage and/or personal injury, and will void the
warranty.

Do not remove the cap from the hydraulic tank or reservoir while the log
splitter is running.  Hot oil under pressure could be expelled resulting in
serious injury.

Should it become necessary to loosen or remove any hydraulic fitting or line, be sure to
relieve all hydraulic pressure by shutting off the engine, removing spark plug wire, and
moving the valve control handle back and forth several times until no cylinder movement
is visible. 

Engine Service

Refer to the engine manufacturers’ manual for engine maintenance and repair.

Storage

Refer to the engine manufacturers’ manual for engine storage.  No special procedures
are required for the hydraulic system to store the log splitter.

CAUTION

WARNING

Brave Products, Inc.

28

815-672-8861

Summary of Contents for VH9934

Page 1: ...o n p a g e o n e B Br ra av ve e 3 34 4 T To on n Vertical Horizontal Log Splitter M Mo od de el l V VH H9 99 93 34 4 Brave Products Inc 410 W Broadway Ave Streator Illinois 61364 0577 Phone 815 672 8861 Fax 815 672 9073 E mail sales braveproducts com Web Site www braveproducts com VH9934 01 ...

Page 2: ......

Page 3: ...anufacturer s recommended type and quantity of oil See Start Up Procedure section Fill the engine fuel tank with fresh clean lead free gasoline Do not mix oil with gasoline Bleed the air out of the cylinder before starting the log splitter See Start Up Proce dure section Make sure the trailer hitch of the towing vehicle is equipped with a 2 inch ball 815 672 8861 1 Brave Products Inc Serial Number...

Page 4: ...ortant Warranty Information To activate your Brave log splitter warranty please fill out the information in the form below clip out the form on the dotted line insert into an envelope and mail to Brave Products Inc P O Box 577 Streator IL 61364 0577 Brave Log Splitter Warranty Information Please Print Model _VH9934 SERIAL _________________________ OWNER S NAME _____________________________________...

Page 5: ... to the Brave Products log splitter Do not attempt to assemble operate or maintain our product without fully understanding all our instructions and safety precautions Do not operate the log splitter unless you read and understand the instructions and warnings in this manual If any doubt or question arises about the correct or safe method of performing anything found in this or other Brave Products...

Page 6: ...mponents and hydraulic tank Powder coated finish for the best appearance and weather protection Year round manufacturing parts and support For additional information contact us at Brave Products Inc 410 W Broadway Ave P O Box 577 Streator Illinois 61364 0577 Phone 815 672 8861 Fax 815 672 9073 E mail sales braveproducts com Web Site www braveproducts com Safety The following is a list of safety ru...

Page 7: ...n When the ram of the log splitter is in the return mode keep your hands off the machine the log splitter is designed to automatically stop when the cylinder is fully retracted ALWAYS disconnect the spark plug wire when the log splitter is not in operation Do not allow any person to operate the log splitter until they have read and understood the safe operating instructions contained in this manua...

Page 8: ...ter while the ram is in motion Only use your hand to operate the control lever NEVER use your foot knee a rope or any other extension device Log Splitting Safety Always keep your fingers away from any cracks that open in the log during the splitting operation ALWAYS make sure that both ends of the log you are splitting are cut as square as possible This will prevent the log from sliding out of pos...

Page 9: ...low for added length of the log splitter when turning parking cross ing intersections and in all driving situations ALWAYS be careful when backing up You could jackknife your log splitter if care is not taken ALWAYS disconnect your log splitter from your towing vehicle before attempt ing to use it NEVER exceed 35 m p h when towing your log splitter Obey all state and local regulations when towing ...

Page 10: ... up the spill and allow the excess to evaporate before continuing Make sure gasoline soaked rags are properly disposed of DO NOT fill the gas tank while the engine is hot or running Allow time for the engine to cool down before refueling Preventing Fires NEVER operate the log splitter near a flame or spark Oil and gasoline are flammable and can explode NEVER smoke while operating or refueling the ...

Page 11: ...s2 8 Bolts 5 16 18 x 1 inch 2 8 Locknuts 5 16 18 2 1 On the pallet 2 In cardboard box Parts Section Brave Products Inc 36 815 672 8861 Item Part No Description Qty 1 BR021249 Weldment Base 1 2 BR008301B Seal Inside 2 3 BR008301A Bearing Tapered Roller 4 4 BR008301 Tire 4 8 x 8 2 5 BR008301D Washer Thrust 2 6 BR008301F Key Cotter 1 8 2 7 BR008301E Nut Spindle 2 8 BR008301G Dust Cap 2 9 BR007003 Fen...

Page 12: ...ipping List section provides a com plete list of all the parts shipped with your log splitter If any parts are missing call Brave Products at 815 672 8861 NOTE The contents of the cardboard box contains the hitch assembly valve handle two safety chains two fenders rail rest assembly rail latch plate and one bag of hardware as shown Brave Products Inc 10 815 672 8861 815 672 8861 35 Brave Products ...

Page 13: ...bling or operating this log splitter 2 Before removing the base unit from the pallet remove the tongue and front leg assembly and install it to the base unit using two 1 2 13 x 1 1 2 inch hex head bolts lockwashers and nuts Tighten the nuts securely Roll the tongue base unit off the pallet CAUTION 815 672 8861 11 Brave Products Inc Decals Make sure all decals are attached to the log splitter and o...

Page 14: ...fully align the hinge brackets in the base unit with the holes in the rail assem bly Have someone hold the rail assembly to prevent it from falling during this part of the assembly 5 Bolt the base unit to the rail assembly using two 1 2 13 x 1 1 2 inch long hex head bolts lockwashers and nuts as shown Tighten the nuts securely 6 Bolt the rail rest to the rail assembly using two 1 2 13 x 1 1 2 inch...

Page 15: ...e hydraulic tank to make sure the oil level is one inch from the top of the tank 2 Remove the pump from the engine flange Check the coupler making sure the drive keys are in place and there is no damage to the blue urethane spider 3 Disconnect the wedge from the cylinder Grasp the hydraulic cylinder shaft and try to pull it out If the rod comes out easily you will need to rebuild or replace the cy...

Page 16: ...s SAE 10W For extremely warm weather conditions SAE 30W Transmission Fluid Dextron Ill 815 672 8861 31 Brave Products Inc 11 Attach the two towing safety chains to the hitch front hole using a 3 8 16 x 3 1 2 inch long hex head bolt two flat washers and a locknut Tighten the locknut securely NOTE The safety chain should be installed against the hitch assembly with the flat wash ers on the outside o...

Page 17: ...using two 5 16 18 x 1 inch long hex head bolts and 5 16 18 locknuts The fenders are interchangeable left or right Posi tion the fender over the tire with equal spacing in the front and back 815 672 8861 15 Brave Products Inc c Remove the hydraulic tank fill cap and fill the tank with the recommended type and quantity of oil Replace the cap d Hold the valve handle in the extend position and pull th...

Page 18: ...re and spark plug to help reduce the back pressure on the engine and to prevent it from starting b Disconnect return hose 1 from the oil filter housing and place it in a waste oil container Please properly dispose of the waste oil per local regulations c Extend the cylinder by holding the valve handle forward and pulling on the engine s pull start cord until oil from the return line stops flowing ...

Page 19: ...ystem and expels any trapped air in the system Important Notice If your log splitter is equipped with a factory installed engine do not mix oil with the gasoline Using mixed oil gasoline in a four cycle engine can cause engine damage 815 672 8861 17 Brave Products Inc Inspection and Maintenance General Maintenance Check before operating The hydraulic system hoses cylinder and pump should be carefu...

Page 20: ...omatically stop the cylinder from retracting when it reaches the end of its stroke 10 Check the fluid level in the hydraulic tank and add oil as needed Replace and tight en the fill cap 11 Your log splitter is now ready to use WARNING Brave Products Inc 18 815 672 8861 g Once the wedge reaches its full downward travel pull up on the control lever to the full retract position The splitting wedge wi...

Page 21: ...ut your hand on top of the log If you must hold the log in the middle of the block Remove your hand immediately when the wedge engages the log Never use your hip or any extension device to operate the valve control handle e Only using your hand push the control lever down towards the log If the log moves before it is contacted by the splitting wedge release the control lever and then reposition th...

Page 22: ...read all the recommenda tions from the Safety section before using the log splitter 2 Make sure both ends of the log you are splitting are cut as square as possible This will prevent the log from sliding out of position while under pressure All logs should be 24 inches long or shorter 3 Start the engine using the instructions from the engine manual Warm up the engine and hydraulic system by runnin...

Page 23: ...the hydraulic control valve control lever Do not place your hands on the ends of the log when loading the log splitter This is a very UNSAFE method and could result in injury to your hands CAUTION WARNING 815 672 8861 21 Brave Products Inc 5 Operating the log splitter in a vertical position Use the following photos for the correct and incorrect methods of splitting logs Never split a log using an ...

Page 24: ...sing your hand push the control lever forward towards the log If the log moves before it is contacted by the splitting wedge release the control lever and then reposition the log Operate the log splitter only when standing in the safe operating area shown in the picture If you find you must hold the log until the wedge touches it and holds it in place be very careful not to put your hand between t...

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