Clarke LOGBUSTER 9 Operation & Maintenance Instructions Manual

OPERATION & MAINTENANCE

INSTRUCTIONS

LS0318 ISS 4

8 TONNE LOG SPLITTER

MODEL NO: LOGBUSTER 9

PART NO: 3402043

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INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing this CLARKE 8 Tonne 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.

SPECIFICATIONS

Logbuster 9

Part Number 3402043

Weight 32.1 Kg

Dimensions (D x W x H) 537 x 402 x 1038 mm

Rated Tonnage 8 Tonne

Ram Diameter 38 mm

Ram Length 175 mm

Maximum Log Length 584mm

Minimum Log Length 280 mm

Maximum Log Diameter 230 mm

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SAFETY SYMBOLS

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GENERAL SAFETY RULES

WORK AREA

1. Keep the work area clean and well lit. Cluttered and dark areas invite
accidents.

2. Do not operate the log splitter in explosive atmospheres, such as in the
presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust. The log splitter may 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 the log splitter may result in serious personal
injury.

2. Use safety equipment. Always wear eye protection. Safety equipment such
as non-skid safety shoes, close fitting clothing and suitable work gloves
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. Store the log splitter out of the reach of children and do not allow persons

unfamiliar with the log splitter or these instructions to operate the log
splitter. Log splitters are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.

3. Maintain the log splitter. Check for misalignment or binding of moving
parts, breakage of parts and any other condition that may affect the
operation of the log splitter. If damaged, have the log splitter repaired
before use. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained tools.

WARNING: READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS. FAILURE TO FOLLOW ALL
INSTRUCTIONS LISTED BELOW MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.

WARNING: SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

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SERVICE

1. Have your log splitter serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical
replacement parts. This will ensure that safety is maintained.

ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS FOR LOG SPLITTERS

• All personnel must read the manual or receive correct training before

they use the log splitter.

• Before starting work, check for soundness of welded joints, securing

nuts & bolts.

• Examine the hydraulic system for leaks before you start work,

Hydraulic fluid can create hazards, causing you to slip and fall, your
hands to slip while using the machine, and it is also a potential fire
hazard.

• Make sure that the log splitter functions as expected before use.

• NEVER tamper with the log splitter.

• NEVER use the machine whilst under the influence of alcohol, drugs,

medicines, or when you are tired. A clear mind is essential for safety.

• The operator must take all necessary precautions to minimise the risk of

accidental damage or injury due to wood being ejected from the
machine.

• The log splitter is designed for one person operation.

• 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.

• 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.

• Please note some particular characteristics of wood when being

split. A small log can sometimes be hard to split if it has knots or
particularly tough fibres. It is important NOT to persist if the log does
not split fairly easily because the pump may be damaged.

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ASSEMBLY

ATTACH THE HANDLES

1. Attach a handle to each side of
the log splitter.

2. Use the lock washer and hex nut
to lock the handgrip in position.

ATTACH THE HYDRAULIC PUMP

1. Use the two inner hex screws
supplied to attach the hydraulic
pump to the base.

NOTE: Please use the hex wrench

supplied.

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ATTACH THE BASE FEET

1. Carefully lay the Log
Splitter on it’s back.

2. Attach the stabilisers to
each side of the bottom of
the log splitter.

3. Use two hex bolts two Lock
Washers and two hex nuts.
to secure each stabiliser.

4. Lift the Log Splitter in to a
vertical position.

ATTACH THE FOOT PEDAL

1. Engage the foot pedal
into the actuating lever.

2. Tighten the hex bolt to
secure the foot pedal to
the hydraulic pump.

ATTACH TENSION SPRINGS

1. Attach a spring to the
center hole on the
stabilisers (one each side
of the log splitter). Then
attach other end of the
springs to the log splitter
table.

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ATTACH THE LOG CRADLE

1. Attach the log cradle to
the main post by using hex
bolts and lock washers.

PREPARATION

PREPARING THE LOGS

1. Cut the logs to a suitable
length to fit into the log
spli

tter.

2. Put the log on the table.

3. Fix the safety chain to the
ar

ms as shown.

•The safety chain

prevents

the slit logs from
falling towards the
operator.

• During the splitting
process, make sure that the logs do not twist or move.

• Always split the logs in the direction of the grain.

• Do not place the log across the log splitter for splitting. It is dangerous
and can damage the machine.

• Do not try to split 2 logs at the same time. One of them could fly up and
hit you.

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ADJUST THE WEDGE HEIGHT

1. With the log is placed
securely on the table, pull
a

nd hold the two wedge
release pins and lower the
wedge to a little higher
than the top of the log.

2. Release the pins, making
sure

they both engage

into the nearest post holes.

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OPERATING THE LOG BUSTER

This Logbuster is designed to be operated by one person only.

• Do not try to split a log that is larger than

those shown in the picture.

• Do not put your hands anywhere near

the splitting wedge during use.

• Keep your hands away from splits and

cracks which open in the log; these can
close suddenly and crush your fingers.

• If the log moves away from the wedge, lower the table and turn the log

90° and try again.

• Do not leave the log splitter unattended when the ram is under pressure.

TO SPLIT THE LOG

1.

Keeping the log stable and your
hands clear, pump the hydraulic
foot pedal to raise the log up
against the wedge.

2. Continue pumping the foot pedal
until the log is split.

• For hard logs, try to rotate the

log by 90°

to see if it can be
split in a different direction. In
any case, 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 buster.

• Remove the wood pieces and clear the area of any debris.

TO LOWER THE SPLITTER TABLE

1. Press the release lever with your foot to lower the splitter table.

FREEING A JAMMED LOG

1. Press the release lever with your foot to lower the log splitter table.

2. Tap the top of the log with a rubber mallet to release the log.

WARNING: NEVER FORCE THE LOG BUSTER FOR MORE THAN 5 SECONDS
TO SPLIT EXCESSIVELY HARD WOOD. AFTER THIS TIME, THE OIL UNDER
PRESSURE WILL OVERHEAT AND THE MACHINE COULD BE DAMAGED.

230 mm

565 mm

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MAINTENANCE

CLEANING

Clean the log splitter with a dry cloth to remove tree sap or dirt after each use.

HOW TO REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC OIL

NOTE: Refer to the parts list and diagram starting on page 13 to identify

the parts mentioned in the following text.

1. Remove the tension springs and remove the table from hydraulic pump.

2. Use a 6mm inner hex wrench to remove the two inner hex screws that hold
the hydraulic pump to the base.

3. Lay the pump horizontal and remove the oil plug from the rear of the
pump.

4. Add hydraulic oil until the cylinder is approximately 3/4 full.

IMPORTANT: Only use CLARKE HYDRAULIC OIL, available from your nearest
dealer.

Part No: 1Ltr -3050830

5Ltr -3050835

5. Replace the oil plug and re-assemble the log splitter.

SHARPENING THE WEDGE

After using the log splitter for some time, sharpen the wedge with a fine­toothed file and remove any burrs or crushed area along the cutting edge.

MOVING THE LOG SPLITTER

1. Hold the handles and tilt the log splitter backwards on to its wheels.

WARNING: MAKE SURE THAT THE RAM ON THE LOGBUSTER IS NOT UNDER
PRESSURE WHEN YOU ARE CLEANING, MOVING OR MAKING ANY
ADJUSTMENTS.

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TROUBLESHOOTING

PROBLEM CAUSE REMEDY

Fails to split logs. Log is improperly positioned. Refer to “Operating the Log

Buster” on page 10.

Wedge cutting edge is blunt. Refer to “Sharpening The Wedge”

on page 11.

Oil leaks. Contact the Clarke service

department.

Unauthorised adjustment was
made to the Maximum
Pr

essure Limiting Screw.

Contact the Clarke service
department.

The table
mov

es jerkily.

Excessive air in the hydraulic
system.

Check oil level for possible oil
refilling. Contact the Clarke
service department.

Oil leaks
aroun

d cylinder
ram or from
other points.

Air sealed in hydraulic system
wh

ile operating.

Loosen Bleed Screw by 3- 4 turns
before operating the log buster.

Bleed Screw is not tightened
be

fore moving the log buster.

Tighten the Bleed Screw before
moving the log buster.

Oil Drain Cap is not tight. Tighten the Oil Drain Cap.

Hydraulic Control Valve
as

sembly and / or seal(s) worn.

Contact the Clarke service
department.

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EXPLODED DIAGRAM - PARTS LIST

NO DESCRIPTION PART NO

1 Sleeve with Thread SCLOGB901

2 Pin SCLOGB902

3 Ring SCLOGB903

4 Pressure Spring SCLOGB904

5 Foot Pedal SCLOGB905

6 Hex Bolt SCLOGB906

7 Main Post SCLOGB907

8 Handle SCLOGB908

9 Inner Hex Screw SCLOGB909

10 Wedge Ass embly SCLOGB910

11 Table SCLOGB911

12 Hydraulic Pump SCLOGB912

13 Tension Spring SCLOGB913

14 Inner Hex Screw SCLOGB914

15 Wheel SCLOGB915

16 Spacer SCLOGB916

17 Flat Washer SCLOGB917

18 Circlip SCLOGB918

19 Hex Bolt SCLOGB919

20 Lock Washer SCLOGB920

21 Hex Nut SCLOGB921

22 Base Feet SCLOGB922

23 Torsion Spring Sleeve SCLOGB923

24 Torsion Spring SCLOGB924

25 Extension Rod SCLOGB925

26 Thin Nut SCLOGB926

27 Release Lever SCLOGB927

28 Hex Nut SCLOGB928

29 Cradle SCLOGB929

30 Lock Washer SCLOGB930

31 Hex Bolt SCLOGB931

32 End Cover SCLOGB932

33 Safety Chain and

Fi

xings kit

SCLOGB933

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EXPLODED DIAGRAM - PARTS LIST

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DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY