MTD 242-610-000 - Manual (Page 7)

A WARNING: Do not operate the log splitter
without the proper amount of transmis­
sion fiuid in the reservoir tank.
NOTE: Be certain to purge the air from the hydraulic
system as instructed above after any repair work is
performed on the pump, valve or cylinder, if a hose is
removed for any reason or when adding fluid to the
reservoir.
BEFORE STARTING
Before each use, check the following;
1. Place the log spitter on a firm, level surface.
2. Remove the fluid check plug. See figure 8. If fluid
starts to come out of the hole, fluid level is cor­
rect. If it does not, fill reservoir as instructed in
step 4 of the previous section.
3. Lubricate the area of the beam on which the ram
will slide with automotive grease.
4. Fill gasoline tank as instructed in the 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 9.
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.
NOTE: When restarting a warm engine, be careful to
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.
NOTE: In order to idle smoothly, a new engine may
require 3 to 5 minutes running above slow idle speed.
Idle speed has been adjusted to be correct after this
break-in period.
7. If weather is cold, cycle the ram 6 to 8 times to
circulate the hydraulic fluid, which will warm and
thin the fluid.
TO STOP ENGINE
1. Move throttle control lever to OFF position.
2. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug to
prevent accidental starting while equipment is
unattended.
USING THE LOG SPLITTER
Use the log splitter only on a level, hard surface.
Never stand next to the ram when operating the log
splitter. Always stand behind the ram. See figure 10.
Never attempt to cut a log in half sideways. Always
split the log lengthwise. Maximum length of log to be
split is 25".
The control handle has three positions:
FORWARD (Push the control handle forward)—
Ram moves toward the splitting wedge. Control
handle will return to neutral position as soon as
hatidje is released^
NEUTRAL-(Mi^dle position)—Ram stops in place.
REVERSE (Push the control handle to the rear)—
Ram returns. The control handle will lock in the
reverse position, and will return to neutral automati­
cally when the reverse stroke is complete.
TO OPERATE LOG SPLITTER:
1. Set throttle at maximum speed.
2. Place log on beam. Steady it by placing your
hand on top of the log.
3. Slowly move control handle forward until the ram
rests against the log. Release the control handle
(Neutral).
4. Remove your hand from the log and step behind
the ram. See figure 10.
5. Move control handle forward until log is split.
6. Move the control handle to the rear to return the
ram.