MTD 24AD585F000 Owner’s Manual

Operator's Manual

Log Splitter

Series 580

IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment.

Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-

covered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting
applicable local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator.
In the State of California the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have
similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest engine authorized
service dealer or contact the service department, P.O. Box 368022 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-9722.

MTD LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

FORM NO. 770-10031G.

(7/2003)

TABLEOFCONTENTS

Content Page

Important Safe Operation Practices ................................................................... 3

Assembling Your Log Splitter ............................................................................ 5

Know Your Log Splitter ...................................................................................... 9

Operating Your Log Splitter ............................................................................... 10

Adjusting Your Log Splitter ................................................................................ 12

Maintaining Your Log Splitter ............................................................................. 12

Storing Your Log Splitter .................................................................................... 14

Troubleshooting ................................................................................................. 15

Parts List ............................................................................................................ 18

FINDINGMODELNUMBER

This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new log splitter. It will help you assemble, prepare and
maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.

Before you start assembling your new equipment, please locate the model plate on the

equipment and copy the informationfrom itinthe space provided below. The information on

the model plate is very important if you need help from our Customer Support Department or

an authorized dealer.

You can locate the model number by standing behind the unit and looking down at the hydraulic tank.
A sample model plate is explained below. For future reference, please copy the model number and
the serial number of the equipment in the space below.

(Model Number) (Serial Number)

I B_Jlh'_ _ MTD LLC

Copy the model number here:

Copy the serial number here:

BIm B B.XlIR! P.o. BOX 361131

lllo 4,138

www.mtdproducts.com 800-800-731 0

eIiB® 330-220-4683

ENGINEINFORMATION

The engine manufacturer is responsible for all engine-related issues with regards to performance, power-
rating, specifications, warranty and service. Please refer to the engine manufacturer's Owner's/Operator's

Manual packed separately with your unit for more information.

CALLINGCUSTOMERSUPPORT

Pleasedo NOTreturnthe unittotheretailer fromwhichit waspurchased,withoutfirstcontactingCustomerSupport.

If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls,
operation or maintenance of this unit, please call 1- (330) 220-4MTD (4683) or 1- (800)-800-
7310 to reach a Customer Support representative. Please have your unit's model number and
serial number ready when you call. See previous section to locate this information. You will be
asked to enter the serial number in order to process your call.

SECTION1: IMPORTANTSAFEOPERATIONPRACTICES

_ ARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger

the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual

before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal
injury. When you see this symbol - heed its warning.

WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or
emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other

reproductive harm.

DANGER: This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this manual. As

with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury.
This machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following

safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.

GeneralPractices

1. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the
machine and in the manual(s) before attempting to
assemble and operate. Keep this manual in a safe place
for future and regular reference and for ordering

replacement parts.

2. Be familiar with all controls and proper operation. Know
how to stop the machine and disengage them quickly.

3. Never allow children under 16 years to operate this
machine. Children, 16 years and over, should read and

understand instructions and safety rules in this manual
and should be trained and supervised by a parent.

4. Never allow adults to operate this machine without
proper instruction. 1.

5. Many accidents occur when more than one person
operates the machine. Ifa helper is assisting in loading

logs, never activate the control until the helper is a
minimum of 10 feet from the machine.

6. Keep bystanders, helpers, pets, and children at least 20 4.
feet from the machine while it is in operation. 5.

7. Never allow anyone to ride on this machine.

8. Never transport cargo on this machine. 6.

9. Hydraulic log splitters develop high fluid pressures during
operation. Fluid escaping through a pin hole opening can

penetrate your skin and cause blood poisoning, 8.
gangrene, or death. Give attention to the following 9.

instructions at all times:

a. Do not check for leaks with your hand.
b. Do not operate machine with frayed, kinked,

cracked, or damaged hoses, fitting, or tubing.

c. Stop the engine and relieve hydraulic system

pressure before changing or adjusting fittings,
hoses, tubing, or other system components.

d. Do not adjust the pressure settings of the pump or

valve.

5. Leaks can be detected by passing cardboard or wood,
while wearing protective gloves and safety glasses, over
the suspected area. Look for discoloration of cardboard

or wood.

6. If injured by escaping fluid, see a doctor immediately.
Serious infection or reaction can develop if proper

medical treatment is not administered immediately.

7. Keep the operator zone and adjacent area clear for safe,
secure footing.

8. If your machine is equipped with an internal combustion
engine and it is intended for use near any unimproved

forest, brush, or grass covered land, the engine exhaust
should be equipped with a spark arrester. Make sure you

comply with applicable local, state, and federal codes.
Take appropriate firefighting equipment with you.

9. This machine should be used for splitting wood only, do

not use it for any other purpose.

10. Follow the instructions in the manual(s) provided with any
attachment(s) for this machine.

Preparation

Always wear safety shoes or heavy boots.

2.

Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during
operating this machine.

3.

Never wear jewelry or loose clothing that might become

entangled in moving or rotating parts of the machine.

Make sure machine is on level surface before operating.

Always block machine to prevent unintended movement,
and lock in either horizontal or vertical position.
Always operate this machine from the operator zone(s)

specified in the manual.

7.

Logs should be cut with square ends prior to splitting.
Use log splitter in daylight or under good artificial light.

To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme
care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely
flammable and the vapors are explosive. Serious

personal injury can occur when gasoline is spilled on
yourself or your clothes which can ignite. Wash your skin

and change immediately.

a. Use only an approved gasoline container.

b. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other

sources of ignition.

c. Neverfuel machine indoors.
d. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the

engine is hot or running.
e. Allow engine to cool two minutes before refueling.
f. Never overfill the fuel tank. Fill tank to no more

than 1/2 inch below bottom of filler neck to provide

space for fuel expansion.
g. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.

h. If gasoline is spilled, wipe itoff the engine and

equipment, move machine to another area. Wait 5

minutes before starting the engine.

i. Neverstorethemachineorfuelcontainerinside

wherethereisanopenflame,sparkorpilotlight
asonawaterheater,spaceheater,furnace,
clothesdryerorothergasappliances.

j. Allowmachinetocool5minutesbeforestoring.

Operation

1. Before starting this machine, review the "Safety
Instructions". Failure to follow these rules may result in
serious injury to the operator or bystanders.

2. Never leave this machine unattended with the engine
running.

3. Do not operate machine while under the influence of
alcohol, drugs, or medication.

4. Never allow anyone to operate this machine without
proper instruction.

5. Always operate this machine with all safety equipment in
place and working. Make sure all controls are properly
adjusted for safe operation.

6. Do not change the engine governor settings or
overspeed the engine. The governor controls the
maximum safe operating speed of the engine.

7. When loading a log, always place your hands on the
sides of the log, not on the ends, and never use your foot
to help stabilize a log. Failure to do so, may result in
crushed or amputated fingers, toes, hand, or foot.

8. Use only your hand to operate the controls.

9. Never attempt to split more than one log at a time unless
the ram has fully extended and a second log is needed to
complete the separation of the first log.

10. For logs which are not cut square, the least square end
and the longest portion of the log should be placed
toward the beam and wedge, and the square end placed
toward the end plate.

11. When splitting in the vertical position, stabilize the log
before moving the control. Split as follows:

a. Place log on the end plate and turn until it leans

against the beam and is stable.

b. When splitting extra large or uneven logs, the log

must be stabilized with wooden shims or split

wood between the log and end plate or ground.

12. Always keep fingers away from any cracks that open in
the log while splitting. They can quickly close and pinch
or amputate your fingers.

13. Keep your work area clean. Immediately remove split
wood around the machine so you do not stumble over it.

14. Never move this machine while the engine is running.

15. This machine should not be towed on any street, highway
or public road without checking the existing federal, state,
or local vehicle requirements. Any licensing or
modifications such as taillights, etc., needed to comply, is
the sole responsibility of the purchaser. Ifa "Statement of
Origin" is required in your state, see your local dealer.

16. Do not tow machine faster than 45mph.

17. See Transporting the Log Splitter section in this manual
for proper towing instructions once all federal, local, or
state requirements are met.

MaintenanceandStorage

1. Stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug and ground it
against the engine before cleaning, or inspecting the

machine.

2. Stop the engine and relieve hydraulic system pressure

before repairing or adjusting fittings, hoses, tubing, or

other system components.

3. To prevent fires, clean debris and chaff from the engine
and muffler areas. If the engine is equipped with a spark
arrester muffler, clean and inspect it regularly according
to manufacturers instructions. Replace if damaged.

4. Periodically check that all nuts and bolts, hose clamps,
and hydraulic fittings are tight to be sure equipment is in
safe working condition.

5. Check all safety guards and shields to be sure they are in
the proper position. Never operate with safety guards,
shields, or other protective features removed.

6. The pressure relief valve is preset at the factory. Do not
adjust the valve.

7. Never attempt to move this machine over hilly or uneven
terrain without a tow vehicle or adequate help.

8. For your safety, replace all damaged or worn parts

immediately with original equipment manufacturer's
(O.E.M.) parts only. "Use of parts which do not meet the

original equipment specifications may lead to improper

performance and compromise safetyP

9. Do not alter this machine in any manner, alterations such
as attaching a rope or extension to the control lever, or
adding to the width or height of the wedge may result in

personal injury.

YourResponsibility

Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who read,
understand and follow the warnings and instructions in this
manual and on the machine. Some of the safety labels are
reproduced here. Always follow directions on safety labels

found on your equipment.

SECTION2: ASSEMBLINGYOURLOGSPLITTER

UnpackingfromCrate

WARNING: Use extreme caution unpacking

_lu_, this machine. Some components are

heavy and will require additional people or
mechanical handling equipment.

• Pry the top, sides, and ends off crate.

• Set panels aside to avoid tire punctures or personal
injury.

• Remove and discard plastic bag that covers unit.

• Remove wheels and loose parts if included with
unit (i.e., operator's manual, etc.)

• Cut and remove straps which secure parts to
bottom of crate. Unbolt any remaining parts which
may be bolted to the bottom of the crate.

very

LoosePartsIn Carton

1. Reservoir Tank and Engine-Pump Assembly

2. Engine-Pump Assembly Hardware

3. Wedge, Beam, and Cylinder Assembly

4. Tongue Assembly

5. Wheels

6. Hitch Assembly

7. Beam Support/Latch Bracket

8. Log Cradle Brackets and Hardware

9. Fenders (If Equipped)

10. Adjustable Jack Stand Assembly (If Equipped)

11. Tail Light Kit (If Equipped)

12. 2 Hub Caps

AssemblingTongue

AttachingBeamSupport/LatchBracket

• Remove two hex bolts, lock washers, and hex nuts
from the tongue. See Figure 1.

• Place the beam support/latch bracket on the
tongue and secure with the hex bolts, lock washers,
and hex nuts previously removed. Tighten securely.

HexBolts

AttachingThe JackStand

• The jack stand is shipped in the transport position.

• Remove the spring clip and clevis pin and pivot the
jack stand to the operating position. See Figure 2.

• Secure the jack stand in position with the clevis pin
and spring clip. See Figure 2.

Spring

Clip

I--

Clevis
Pin

Iperating

Position

Figure 2

AttachingAdjustableJackStand(If Equipped)

• Remove four hex bolts,lock washers, and hex nuts
that secure jack stand mounting brackets to

adjustable jack stand. See Figure 3.

• Place adjustable jack stand halfway between beam
support/latch bracket and end of tongue.

• Insert hex bolts through top holes injack stand

mounting brackets and holes in the adjustable jack

stand. Secure with lock washers and hex nuts. See

Figure 3.

• Insert hex boltsthrough upper holes inthe bottom
of the mounting brackets and adjustable jack stand.

Secure with lockwashers and hex nuts.

• The adjustable jack stand is raised byturning the

crank clockwise and lowered byturning counter-
clockwise.

HexBolst.s._

Mountin

PPp

Beam Support
Latch

Hex Nut

Figure 1

ue

Figure 3

AttachingTheHitchAssembly

• Remove the hardware assembled on the hitch
assembly and place the hitch on the end of the

tongue. See Figure 4.

• Insert hex bolt through flat washer, end of safety
chain, spacer, and then rear hitch hole. Pivot the
end of safety chain so it faces the ball end of hitch.

Tongue Hex

Lock Nut

FJat

Washer

ex

Bolt

Spacer

Hitch

zin

Figure 4

• Insert other spacer, safety chain, and flat washer
on the other end of the hex bolt and secure with hex

lock nut. See Figure 4.

• Insert hex bolt through the front hole of hitch and
secure with flat washer and hex lock nut. See

Figure 4. Tighten both hex nuts to 23 ft-lbs.

AttachingWheels

• Block up the reservoir tank assembly about eight to
twelve inches.

• Remove and discard plastic shipping caps on the
outside of the wheels.

• Remove the cotter pin, hex slotted nut, and flat
washer from each axle. See Figure 5.

Assembly

NOTE: It is recommended that you polish the axles with

emery cloth before you install the wheels.

• Place a wheel on each axle with the valve stem
facing outward.

• Place a flat washer on each axle and secure with

hex slotted nut. See Figure 5.

• Tighten slotted nut until snug and then back off
approximately 1/3 turn or until one of the slots on
the slotted nut lines up with the hole in the axle.

• Insert cotter pins through slots in nuts and holes in
axle and secure by bending the ends of the cotter

pins in opposite directions. See Figure 5.

• The wheels should spin freely and there should be

no side to side play.

• Place hub caps in position on wheels and tap onto
axle with a soft hammer or mallet. See Figure 5.

WARNING: Maximum tire pressure under

any circumstance is 30 psi. Equal tire pressure

should be maintained at all times.

If equipped with fenders, proceed to next step.

• Remove the hex nuts, lock washers, flat washers,
and hex bolts from the side of tank. See Figure 5.

• Determine the proper assembly holes in the
fenders over the tires against the tank.

• Insert hex bolts through flat washers, holes in
fenders, and tank. Secure fender with lock washers

and hex nuts. Tighten securely.

AttachingtheTongue

• Remove two hex bolts, lock washers, and hex nuts
on the front of the reservoir tank. See Figure 6.

• Place the tongue in position and secure with

hardware just removed.

• Remove the reservoir tank from the blocks.

Reservoir
Tank

\

Hex
Bolts

:otter

Pin

ex Slotted

Nut

Figure 5

Figure 6

AttachingBeam

• For shipping purposes, the pressure hose is
attached to the pump on the engine and to the
control valve on the cylinder.