MTD 638 - Manual (Page 9)

OPERATION
INITIAL PREPARATION
1. Place the log splitter on a firm, level surface.
2. Service engine with gasoiine 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 12.
Using Dexron II automatic transmission fluid,
or low non-foaming hydraulic fluid, fill reser­
voir to the top. Replace vent plug securely.
NOTE:
Total capacity of system is approximately 7.6
gallons.
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 to extend
the wedge to the far extended position. Leave
the wedge in this position (do not retract).
Refill tank to within 1-1/2" to 2" from the top of
the tank.
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”).
d.
e.
f. Refill the reservoir to within 1-1/2" 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 vent 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 fluid in the reservoir tank.
BEFORE STARTING
Before each use, check the following:
1. Place log splitter on a firm, level surface. For verti­
cal operation, pull the vertical position release rod
out and pivot it down to release the beam. Place
the beam in the vertical position. Lock the beam in
the vertical position, by pulling out on the locking
rod and pivoting it to the left. See figure 13.
2. Remove the vent plug and check the fluid level.
Fluid level should be 1-1/2" 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. Make sure fuel shut-off located under gasoline
tank is open.
6. Attach spark plug wire to spark plug.