MTD 242-630-000 - Manual (Page 8)

OPERATION
INITIAL PREPARATION
1. Place the log splitter on a firm, level surfar e.
2. Service engine with gasoline and oil as
instructed in the separate engine manual packed
with your log splitter.
3. Lubricate the beam area where splitting wedge
will slide with engine oil (DO NOT USE
GREASE). Make certain to oil both front and back
of the beam face.
4. Fill the reservoir tank as follows.
a. Remove reservoir vent plug. See figure 11.
Using Dexron II automatic transmission fluid,
or
low
non-foaming hydraulic fluid, fill reser­
voir to the top. Replace vent plug securely.
b. Disconnect the spark plug wire. Prime the
pump by pulling the recoil starter, to turn
the engine over, approximately 10 times.
Reconnect the spark plug wire.
c. Start engine. Use the control handle tc extend
the wedge to the far extended position. Leave
the wedge in this position (do not retract).
d. Refill tank to within 11/2" to 2" from tha top of
the tank. Total capacity of system is approxi­
mately 4 gallons.
e. Now retract the wedge. Extend and retract the
wedge fully 10 to 12 complete cycles to
remove trapped air in the system (system is
“self-bleeding”).
f. Refill the reservoir to within 11/2" to 2" from
the top of the tank. Much of the original fluid
has been drawn into the cylinder and hoses.
Make certain to refill the reservoir, to prevent
extreme damage to the hydraulic pump Failure
to refill the tank will void your warranty.
NOTE: Some fluid may overflow from the vem plug as
the system builds heat and the fluid expands and
seeks its own level.
A WARNING: Do not operate the log splitter
without the proper amount of transmis­
sion fuild in the reservoir tank.
BEFORE STARTING
Before each use, check the following;
1. Place log splitter on a firm, level surface. For ver­
tical operation, pull the locking rod out and pivot it
down to release the beam. Place the beam in the
vertical position.
2. Remove the vent plug and check the fluid level.
Fluid level should be 11/2" to 2" from the top of
the tank.
IMPORTANT: Reservoir tank must be full as instruct­
ed. Low fluid level will damage the pump and void
your warranty.
3. Lubricate the beam area where splitting wedge
will slide with engine oil (DO NOT USE
GREASE). Make certain to oil both front and back
of the beam face.
4. Fill gasoline tank as instructed in separate engine
manual.
5. Attach spark plug wire to spark plug.
TO START ENGINE
1. Place throttle control lever on the engine in FAST
position. See figure 12.
2. Place choke lever in CHOKE position (a warm
engine may not require choking).
3. Grasp starter handle and pull rope out slowly until
engine reaches start of compression cycle (rope
will pull slightly harder at this point). Let the rope
rewind slowly.
A
WARNING: When restarting a warm
engine, keep away from muffler and other
heated surfaces on the engine.
4. Pull rope with a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke.
Keep a firm grip on the starter handle. Let the
rope rewind slowly. Do not let starter handle snap
back against starter.
5. Repeat preceding instructions 3 and 4 until
engine fires. When engine starts, move choke
lever halfway between CHOKE and RUN.
6. Move throttle control lever to IDLE position for a
few minutes warm-up. Gradually move choke
lever to RUN position as engine warms up.