Thank you for purchasing this CLARKE Log Splitter.
Before attempting to use this product, please read this manual thoroughly and
follow the instructions carefully. In doing so you will ensure the safety of yourself
and that of others around you, and you can look forward to your purchase
giving you long and satisfactory service.
GUARANTEE
This product is guaranteed against faulty manufacture for a period of 12
months from the date of purchase. Please keep your receipt which will be
required as proof of purchase.
This guarantee is invalid if the product is found to have been abused or
tampered with in any way, or not used for the purpose for which it was
intended.
Faulty goods should be returned to their place of purchase, no product can
be returned to us without prior permission.
This guarantee does not effect your statutory rights.
WARNING: READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS. FAILURE TO FOLLOW ALL
INSTRUCTIONS LISTED BELOW MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY. SAVE THESE
INSTRUCTIONS.
WORK AREA
1. Keep the work area clean and well lit. Cluttered and dark areas invite accidents.
2. Do not operate log splitters in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust. Log splitters create sparks which may ignite the
dust or fumes.
3. Keep children and bystanders away while operating the log splitter. Distractions can
cause you to lose control.
4. The surface must be perfectly level to prevent the machine from moving during
operation.
PERSONAL SAFETY
1. Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a log
splitter. Do not use the log splitter while you are tired or under the influence of drugs,
alcohol or medication. A moment of inattention while operating log splitters may
result in serious personal injury.
2. Use safety equipment. Always wear eye protection. Safety equipment such as nonskid safety shoes, close fitting clothing and suitable work gloves eye and ear
protection should always be used.
3. Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. This enables better
control of the log splitter in unexpected situations.
4. Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewellery. Keep your hair, clothing and gloves away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewellery or long hair can be caught
in moving parts.
USAGE AND CARE
1. Do not force the log splitter. It will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it
was designed.
2. Shut off the engine before making any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing
the log splitter.
3. Store the log splitter out of the reach of children and do not allow persons unfamiliar
with log splitters or these instructions to operate the log splitter. Log splitters are
dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
4. Maintain the log splitter. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts,
breakage of parts and any other condition that may affect the log splitters
operation. If damaged, have the log splitter repaired before use. Many accidents
5. Keep cutting edges sharp and clean. Properly maintained cutting edges are less
likely to bind.
SERVICE
1. Have your log splitter serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical
replacement parts. This will ensure that the safety of the log splitter is maintained.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY RULES FOR LOG SPLITTERS
Extra special care is required when using this powerful tool to safeguard yourself and
that of others around you.
1. Never tamper with the log splitter or attempt to operate the machine without covers
fitted.
2. The operator must have read and understood this manual and the safe operation of
this log splitter before use.
3. Do not allow split logs to accumulate, always clean up as you work, accumulated
split logs and wood chips can create a hazardous work environment.
4. The operator must operate the machines controls with both hands without using
other makeshift systems, i.e. wedging control levers down etc.
5. The machine must always be used by one operator only. Nobody must be allowed
to use the log splitter unless they have read the instruction manual thoroughly and
have been instructed in its use. The machine must be used by adults only. Check
that the logs to be split are free from nails or wire, which may fly up. The ends of the
logs must be cut square. Branches must be cut off flush with the trunk.
6. Never attempt to split two logs at once; one may be ejected with possibly serious
damage.
7. Split wood in the direction of the grain. Do not attempt to split a piece of wood
across the grain as this could seriously damage the machine.
8. If the log moves away from the blade, retract the ram and rotate the log through
O
90
9. Do not attempt to load the log whilst the log pusher is in motion.
10. Keep your hands well away from any splits and cracks which open in the log.
11. Do not force the blade by pushing the log on the upper part, as this can cause the
blade to break or damage the body of the machine. Always set the log on the
guides.
12. Never leave the machine unattended while it is running.
13. Never use the machine whilst under the influence of alcohol, drugs, medicines, or
when you are tired. A clear mind is essential for safety.
14. Never request the assistance of another person to help you remove a jammed log.
15. Never use the log splitter if it is not in perfect order or if it needs servicing.
16. Before starting work, check correct functioning of all the safety devices and check
for soundness of welded joints, securing nuts & bolts.
The image on the right shows the maximum log size that
can be split.
• It is important not to attempt to split a log for
longer than 5 seconds as the pump may be
damaged by the oil overheating. This could occur
when the wood being split is excessively fibrous,
knotty or wet, green wood.
NOTE: The diameter of the log is indicative: i.e. A small
log can be difficult to split if it has knots or a particularly tough fibre.
• It is therefore better to stop and rotate the log by 90
be split in a different plane.
• Not being able to split the log within 5 seconds, indicates that its hardness
exceeds the capacity of the machine and it should therefore be discarded
so as not to cause damage/injury.
O
to see whether it can
• Do not try to hit any jammed logs
off of the log splitter, this may
damage the machine or may
cause the log to fly up and cause
an accident.
MOVING THE LOG SPLITTER
CAUTION: BEFORE MOVING THE LOG SPLITTER, MAKE SURE THE BLEED
SCREW IS TIGHTENED TO AVOID OIL LEAKING.
• Lift the front of the log splitter by the handle and move the log
This log splitter is designed to be operated by one person only and requires
two handed operation by the user.
1. Push the two hand control levers
forwards simultaneously (towards
the body of the ram assembly) .
• The ram extension and pressure
piece will begin to move,
applying pressure to the log
and starting the split.
NOTE: The ram will not move if only
one lever is pushed.
• Keep the levers in the forward position until the splitting operation is
complete.
2. Releasing the levers at or before the end of the split stops the motion of the
ram.
3. Pulling the levers backwards (towards the operator) reverses the motion of
the ram extension, which will return to its rest position (fully retracted). The
operator should hold both levers backwards until the rest position is
reached.
WARNING: ONCE YOU START SPLITTING THE LOG, NEVER REACH INTO THE
SPLITTING ZONE
CAUTION: NEVER FORCE THE LOG SPLITTER FOR MORE THAN 5 SECONDS.
AFTER THIS TIME, THE MACHINE COULD BE DAMAGED.
For extremely hard logs, rotate the log by 90° to see whether it can be split in a
different plane. if you are still not able to split the log, this means that the wood
exceeds the capacity of the machine and should be discarded to protect the
log splitter.
• The log splitter will move back to its starting position.
3. Insert a wedge of wood below the jammed log.
4. Start the log splitter to push the wedge under the jammed log.
Repeat above procedure with sharper sloped wedges of woods until the log is
completely free.
ADJUSTING THE RETURN STOPPING POINT
If you are splitting a pile of shorter logs you may want to prevent the pusher
plate returning all the way back to the start, this speeds up future operations.
To adjust how far the pusher plate comes back:
1. Extend the ram fully.
NOTE: Do not put any logs on the log splitter.
2. Pull and hold both levers back towards you
• The ram starts to return to the starting position
3. When the pusher plate reaches the point at which you want to stop,
release the levers to stop the ram.
WARNING: MAKE SURE THAT THE LOG SPLITTER IS SWITCHED OFF BEFORE
STARTING ANY CLEANING OR MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES.
SHARPENING THE WEDGE
After using the log splitters for some time, sharpen the wedge of the log splitter
using a fine-toothed file and smooth any burrs or crushed area along the
cutting edge.