Setting up your log splitter, Warning – MTD 5DM User Manual
Page 7

IMPORTANT: This unit is shipped without gasoline or oil 
in the engine. Fill up gasoline and oil BEFORE priming 
pump or operating your log splitter.
5. Add oil provided before priming pump or starting unit
for the first time out of the box. See Engine Operation 
section for this and for location of the oil fill.
6. Service the engine with gasoline as instructed in the
Engine Operation section. See Engine Operation 
section for location of gas fill.
WARNING: Use extreme care when han-
dling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely 
flammable and the vapors are explosive. 
Never fuel the machine indoors or while 
the engine is hot or running. Extinguish cigarettes, 
cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition. 
7. Make sure that the engine switch is off. See Figure
3-2. Prime the hydraulic pump by pulling the recoil 
starter as far as it will go. Repeat approximately 4-6 
times.
8. a. Remove clevis pin and hairpin clip. See Figure 3-3.
 b. Pivot hydraulic valve control back into slot of valve.
 c. Align holes and reinstall clevis pin and hairpin clip.
9. a. Pull locking pin from cylinder base. See Figure 3-4.
 b. Use handle to slide cylinder back to lock in place.
 c. Reinstall pin.
10. Lubricate the beam area (where the cylinder will slide) 
with engine oil; do not use grease.
Figure 3-4
3
Setting Up
Your Log
Splitter
Figure 3-
A
C
B
B
A
A
C
C
B
Figure 3-3
WARNING
Use extreme care 
when handling 
gasoline. Gasoline is 
extremely flammable 
and the vapors are 
explosive. Never fuel 
the machine indoors 
or while the engine 
is hot or running. 
Extinguish ciga-
rettes, cigars, pipes 
and other sources of 
ignition. 
