11
OPERATION
Gasoline
1. Remove the fuel cap from the fuel tank.
2. Make sure the container from which you will pour the gasoline is
clean and free from rust or foreign particles. Never use gasoline
that may be stale from long periods of storage in its container.
Gasoline that has been sitting for any period longer than four weeks
should be considered stale.
3. Fill the fuel tank with about 1.5 quarts of clean, fresh gasoline with a
minimum of 85 octane.
NOTE
: Gasoline can be added to the engine when the log splitter is
in either the horizontal or vertical position. However, there are less
obstructions when the beam is in the vertical position.
NOTE
: Do not use gasoline containing methanol. Gasoline containing
up to about 10% ethanol or up to 15% methyl tertiary butyl ether
(MTBE) may be used, but will require special care when the engine is
left unused for an extended period.
4. Replace the fuel cap.
NOTE
: To avoid engine problems, the fuel system should be emptied
before storage for 30 days or longer. Drain the gas tank, start the
engine and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty. Use
fresh fuel the next season. See the STORAGE section for additional
information.
SToppING ENGINE
1. Push the stop switch to OFF.
2. Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground it against the engine to
prevent unintended starting.
ENGINE CoNTRoLS
Stop Switch
Push the switch to ON prior to choking for the engine start; push to
OFF to shut the engine down.
Choke Control
The choke control is used to choke off the carburetor and assist in
starting the engine.
Starter handle
The starter handle is located on the engine. Pull the starter handle to
start engine.
Control handle
The control handle has three positions. See Figure 4-2.
•
FORWARD
: Move the control handle FORWARD or DOWN to
move the wedge and split wood.
NOTE
:The Control Handle will return to the neutral position as soon as
the handle is released.
(Forward Position only)
•
NEUTRAL
: Release the control handle or move the lever to neutral
position to stop the wedge movement.
•
REVERSE
: Move the control handle BACK or UP to return the
wedge toward the cylinder. The control handle stays in the return
(Reverse) position and returns to neutral automatically when fully
retracted.
NOTE
: The reverse position may also be operated back to neutral
position manually, if necessary.
GAS AND oIL FILL-up
IMPORTANT
: Your log splitter may be shipped with motor oil in the
engine. You MUST check the oil level before operating. Be careful not
to overfill.
WARNING
Use extreme care when handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely
flammable and the vapors are explosive. Never fuel machine indoors
or while the engine is hot or running.
oil
1. Remove oil fill dipstick.
2. Check the oil level making certain not to rub the dipstick along the
inside walls of the oil fill tube. This would result in a false dipstick
reading. Refill to the FULL mark on the dipstick, if necessary.
Replace the dipstick and tighten.
3. If necessary, with the log splitter on level ground, use a funnel to fill
engine with oil to the FULL mark on the dipstick. Be careful not to
overfill. Overfilling will cause the engine to smoke profusely and will
result in poor engine performance.
4. Check the oil level three times prior to starting the engine to be
certain you’ve gotten an accurate dipstick reading. Running the
engine with too little oil can result in permanent engine damage.
Figure 4-2
Neutral
To return
wedge
To stop
wedge
To split wood
