MTD 24BF551D700, 24BF550C729 Owner’s Manual

Safety • Assembly • Operation • Adjustments • Maintenance • Troubleshooting • Parts Lists • Warranty

OF A O A AL

* Model24BF572B729Shown

Log Splitter -- Model Series 550 Thru 570

IMPORTANT

READ SAFETY RULES AND iNSTRUCTiONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION

Warning: Thisunitisequippedwithan internalcombustionengineandshouldnot beusedon ornearany unimprovedforest-covered,brush-

coveredorgrass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemisequippedwitha sparkarrestermeetingapplicablelocalor statelaws(if any). If a sparkarresterisused,itshouldbemaintainedineffectiveworkingorderbytheoperator.IntheStateofCaliforniatheaboveisrequiredbylaw (Section4442oftheCaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Otherstatesmayhavesimilarlaws.Federallawsapplyonfederallands.A sparkarrester forthemufflerisavailablethroughyournearestengineauthorizedservicedealeror contactthe servicedepartment,RO.Box361131Cleveland,

Ohio44136-0019.

PRINTEDIN U.S.A

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

FORMNO.770-10529F

01/24/2007

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.

Table of Contents

Safety Labels ......................................... Page 3

Safe Operation Practices ...................... Page 4

Setting UpYour Log Splitter ................. Page 6

Operating Your Log Splitter .................. Page 8

Finding and Recording Model Number

BEFOREYOU STARTASSEMBLING

YOURNEW EQUIPMENT

Pleaselocatethe modelplate on the equipment andcopy the informationto the sample modelplate provided to the right.

You can locatethe modelplate bystanding behind the unit and lookingdown at the hydraulictank. This informationwill be

necessaryto use the website or obtain assistance from your MTDdealer.

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

Troubleshooting ................................... Page 16

illustrated Parts List ............................ Page 18

Warranty ......................................... Back Cover

Model Number

, www, rntdproducts.com

Serial Number

MTD LLC

P.O. BOX 361131

CLEVELAND, OH 44136 330-220-4683

800-800-731 0 /

Customer Support

Please do IVOTreturn the unit to the retailer from which it was

purchased, without first contacting Customer Support.

Ifyou have difficultyassemblingthis product or have any questions regardingthe controls,operation,or maintenance ofthis unit,you can seek helpfrom the experts.Choosefrom the options below:

1. Visit mtdproducts.com. Click on Yardmachinesand then the CustomerSupport menu option.

2. Phonea Customer Support Representative at 1 (800) 800-7310.

3. The engine manufacturer is responsiblefor allengine-relatedissueswith regardsto performance,power-rating,specifica- tions,warranty andservice. Pleasereferto the engine manufacturer'sOwner's/Operator's Manual,packedseparatelywith your unit, for more information.

Safety Labels Found On Your Log Splitter

oREVERSE

INEUTRAL

IFORWARD

LOG

DISLODGER

Retract wedge,

lodged wood will be

automatically removed.

WARNING

DO NOT remove safety

{orany) labelsfromlog

;plitterfor any reason.

m_AIMOVING LOG SPLITTER BY HAND • coup er a jus men is nee e , re er o

• oc jac s an n own pus on, position,

• Do not attempt to move log splitter . Attach safety ohains to tow vehiole, up or down a slope by hand . Do not tow faster than 45 mph.

TOWING LOG SPLITTER High speed may cause loss of control.

Lock beam in horizontal osition. " Check Iooal, state and federal .

J__" Lock beakh _ _" hd°;iz _ ........ _t]i_ ........ j ................................

_/_" requirements be ore towing on any pub io road.

WARNING: EngineExhaust,some of its constituents, andcertain vehicle compo- nentscontain or emit chemicals knownto Stateof Californiato cause cancer and

birth defects or otherreproductiveharm.

DANGER: This machinewas builtto beoperatedaccordingto the rulesfor safe operation in this manual.As with any type of power equipment,carelessnessor error on the part ofthe operator can

result in serious injury.This machineis capableof amputatinghands andfeet andthrowing objects.

Failureto observethe followingsafety instructionscould resultin serious injury or death.

i WARNING

Thissymbol points outimportant safety instructionswhich, if notfollowed,could

endangerthe personal Soafetyand/or property

f yourselfand others. i Readand follow all I instructionsinthis man-

ualbeforeattempting to operatethis machine.

Failureto complywith

i these instructionsmay I resultin personalinjury.

Whenyou seethis

symbol -

HEED ITS WARNING

Your

I = = w

i Responsubuluty

Restrictthe use

i of this power machine i to personswho read,

understand

and followthe warnings

and instructions

inthis manual.

General Practices

1. Read,understand,andfollowall instructionson the machineandinthe manual(s)beforeattempting

toassembleandoperate.Keepthismanualin a safeplaceforfutureandregularreferenceandfor orderingreplacementparts.

2. Befamiliarwithall controlsandproperoperation. Knowhowtostopthemachineanddisengagethem quickly.

3. Neverallowchildrenunder16yearstooperatethis machine.Children,16yearsandover,shouldread andunderstandinstructionsandsafetyrulesinthis manualandshouldbetrainedandsupervisedbya parent.

4. Neverallowadultstooperatethismachinewithout properinstruction.

5. Manyaccidentsoccurwhenmorethanoneperson operatesthe machine.If a helperisassistinginload- inglogs,neveractivatethecontroluntilthehelperis

a minimumof 10feetfromthe machine.

6. Keepbystanders,helpers,pets,andchildrenat least 20feetfromthe machinewhileitisinoperation.

7. Neverallowanyoneto rideon thismachine.

8. Nevertransportcargoonthis machine.

9. Hydrauliclogsplittersdevelophighfluidpressures duringoperation.Fluidescapingthrougha pin hole openingcanpenetrateyourskinandcauseblood poisoning,gangrene,or death.Giveattentiontothe followinginstructionsatalltimes:

a. Donotcheckfor leakswithyourhand. b. Donotoperatemachinewithfrayed,kinked,

cracked,ordamagedhoses,fitting,ortubing.

c. Stopthe engineand relievehydraulicsystem

pressurebeforechangingoradjustingfittings, hoses,tubing,orothersystemcomponents.

d. Donotadjustthepressuresettingsofthe pumpor

valve.

10.Leakscanbedetectedbypassingcardboardor wood,whilewearingprotectiveglovesand safety glasses,overthesuspectedarea.Lookfordiscolor-

ationof cardboardorwood.

11.

If injuredby escapingfluid,seea doctorimmediately. Seriousinfectionor reactioncandevelopifproper medicaltreatmentis not administeredimmediately.

12.Keeptheoperatorzoneandadjacentareaclearfor safe,securefooting.

13.If yourmachineisequippedwithan internalcom- bustionengineanditisintendedfor usenearany unimprovedforest,brush,or grasscoveredland, theengineexhaustshouldbeequippedwitha spark arrester.Makesureyoucomplywithapplicablelocal, state,andfederalcodes.Takeappropriatefirefighting equipmentwithyou.

14.Thismachineshouldbeusedforsplittingwoodonly, donotuseitfor anyotherpurpose.

15.Followtheinstructionsinthe manual(s)providedwith anyattachment(s)forthismachine.

Preparation

1. Alwayswearsafetyshoesorheavyboots.

2. Alwayswearsafetyglassesorsafetygogglesduring operatingthismachine.

3. Neverwearjewelryor looseclothingthatmight becomeentangledinmovingor rotatingpartsofthe

machine.

Makesuremachineis on levelsurfacebeforeoperat- ing.

Alwaysblockmachineto preventunintendedmove- ment,andlockineitherhorizontalor verticalposition.

Alwaysoperatethis machinefromtheoperator zone(s)specifiedinthemanual.

Logsshouldbecutwith squareendspriorto splitting.

Uselogsplitterindaylightor undergoodartificiallight.

Toavoidpersonalinjuryor propertydamageuse extremecareinhandlinggasoline.Gasolineis extremelyflammableandthevaporsareexplosive. Seriouspersonalinjury canoccurwhengasolineis spilledonyourselforyourclotheswhichcanignite. Washyourskinandchangeimmediately.

a. Useonlyan approvedgasolinecontainer. b. Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipes,andother

sourcesofignition.

c. Neverfuelmachineindoors. d. Neverremovegascaporaddfuel whiletheengine

ishot or running.

e. Allowenginetocoolat leasttwo minutesbefore

refueling.

f. Neveroverfillthefueltank.Filltanktono more

than1/2inch belowbottomof filler neckto provide

spaceforfuelexpansion.

g. Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely. h. Ifgasolineis spilled,wipeit offtheengineand

equipment,movemachinetoanotherarea.Wait5

minutesbeforestartingtheengine.

i. Neverstorethemachineor fuelcontainerinside

wherethereisan openflame,sparkor pilotlightas on a waterheater,spaceheater,furnace,clothes dryeror othergasappliances.

j. Allow machinetocool5 minutesbeforestoring.

Operation

1. Beforestartingthismachine,reviewthe"Safety instructions".Failuretofollowtheserulesmayresultin

seriousinjurytothe operatoror bystanders.

2. Neverleavethismachineunattendedwiththeengine running.

3. Donotoperatemachinewhileundertheinfluenceof

alcohol,drugs,or medication.

4. Neverallowanyonetooperatethismachinewithout

properinstruction.

5. Alwaysoperatethismachinewithall safetyequipment

inplaceandworking.Makesureallcontrolsare properlyadjustedforsafeoperation.

6. Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingsor

overspeedthe engine.Thegovernorcontrolsthe maximumsafeoperatingspeedofthe engine.

7. Whenloadingalog,alwaysplaceyourhandsonthe

sidesofthelog,noton theends,andneveruseyour footto helpstabilizea log.Failuretodo so,mayresult incrushedoramputatedfingers,toes,hand,orfoot.

8. Useonly yourhandto operatethecontrols.

9. Neverattemptto splitmorethanonelogat a time

unlesstheramhasfullyextendedanda secondlogis neededtocompletetheseparationofthe first log.

10.Forlogswhicharenot cutsquare,theleastsquare endandthe longestportionofthelogshouldbe placedtowardthe beamand wedge,andthe square end placedtowardtheendplate.

11.Whensplittingintheverticalposition,stabilizethe log beforemovingthecontrol.Splitasfollows:

a. Placelog ontheendplateandturnuntilit leans

againstthebeamandis stable.

b. Whensplittingextralargeor unevenlogs,thelog

mustbestabilizedwithwoodenshimsor splitwood betweenthe logandendplateor ground.

12.Alwayskeepfingersawayfromanycracksthatopen inthelogwhilesplitting.Theycanquicklycloseand pinchoramputateyourfingers.

13.Keepyourworkareaclean,immediatelyremovesplit woodaroundthe machineso youdo notstumbleover

it.

14.Nevermovethismachinewhiletheengineisrunning.

15.Thismachineshouldnotbetowedon anystreet, highwayorpublicroadwithoutcheckingtheexisting federal,state,or localvehiclerequirements.Any licensingor modificationssuchastaillights,etc., neededtocomply,is thesoleresponsibilityofthe purchaser.If a"Statementof Origin"isrequiredin yourstate,seeyourlocaldealer.

16.Donottowmachinefasterthan45mph.

17.SeeTransportingthe LogSplittersectionin this manualforpropertowinginstructionsonceall federal,local,or staterequirementsare met.

Maintenance and Storage

1. Stoptheengine,disconnectthe sparkplugand grounditagainstthe enginebeforecleaning,or inspectingthemachine.

2. Stoptheengineand relievehydraulicsystem pressurebeforerepairingor adjustingfittings,hoses, tubing,orothersystemcomponents.

3. Topreventfires,cleandebrisandchafffromthe engineandmufflerareas,if theengineis equipped witha sparkarrestermuffler,cleanand inspectit regularlyaccordingtomanufacturersinstructions. Replaceifdamaged.

4. Periodicallycheckthatall nutsandbolts,hose clamps,andhydraulicfittingsaretightto besure equipmentisinsafeworkingcondition.

5. Checkall safetyguardsandshieldsto besure theyareintheproperposition.Neveroperatewith safetyguards,shields,orotherprotectivefeatures

removed.

6. The pressurereliefvalveispresetatthefactory.Do notadjustthevalve.

7. Neverattemptto movethismachineoverhillyor uneventerrainwithouta towvehicleor adequate help.

8. Foryoursafety,replaceall damagedor wornparts immediatelywithoriginalequipmentmanufacturer's (O.E.M.)partsonly."Useof partswhichdo notmeet theoriginalequipmentspecificationsmayleadto improperperformanceandcompromisesafety!"

9. Do notalterthismachineinany manner,alterations suchasattachinga ropeor extensiontothecontrol handle,oraddingtothe widthor heightofthewedge mayresultin personalinjury.

Your Responsibility

Restricttheuseofthispowermachinetopersonswho read,understandandfollowthe warningsandinstruc- tionsinthis manualandonthemachine.Alwaysfollow directionsonsafetylabelsfoundon yourequipment.

Safe.

o,o,a.,,oo

Practices

WARNING

Thissymbol points out importantsafety

instructionswhich, if notfollowed, could endangerthe personal

safety and/or property of yourself and others.

Readand followall instructions inthis man- ual before attempt ngto operatethis machine.

Failureto comply with these instructionsmay

result in personalinjury. Whenyou seethis symbol-

HEED ITS WARNING

Your

Responsibility

Restrictthe use

ofthis powermachine

to personswho read,

understand

and followthe warnings

and instructions

in this manual.

YourLog

Splitter

Figure 3-1

"_ ,_ WARNING:Useextreme caution

unpacking this machine.Some

__ components arevery heavy and will

require additional people or mechanical handlingequipment.

NOTE:Allreferencesin thismanualtotheleft or right sideof thelog splitterisfromtheoperatingpositiononly. Exceptions,ifany,willbespecified.

Assembling the Tongue

Attaching the Jack Stand

Thejackstandisshippedinthetransportposition.

1. Removethespringclipandclevispinand pivot thejack standtowardsthegroundto the operating position.

2. Securethejackstandin positionwiththeclevispin andspringclip.SeeFigure3-1.

WARNING

tion unpackingthis

machinei Some

componentsare,e y

heavy and will require additional people or

mechanical handling equipmenL

Manual coversa range of productspecifications

for Variousmodels: Characteristicsand

featUresdiscussed and/or illustratedin

this manual applicableto a!l models:

MTD LLC reSerVesthe

Figure 3=2

Attaching the Tongue

1. Withthelogsplitterstillstandingupright,removetwo hexboltsandhexnutsfromthetankbracket.See

Figure3-2.

2. Aligntheholes inthetonguewiththe holesin thetank bracketandsecurewithhardwarejust removed.See Figure3-2.

NOTE:Highpressurehosemustbeabovethetongue assembly.

Connecting Cylinder to Beam

Thelogsplitterisshippedwiththebeaminthevertical position.

1. Pulloutthe verticalbeamlock,rotateit back,and pivotthebeamto the horizontalpositionuntilitlocks. SeeFigure3-3.

2. Disconnectthedislodgerfromthe beamweldbracket byremovingthe sixhexscrews.SeeFigure3-4.

right to ChangeProduct

specifiCatiOns:designs

and equipment Without notice andwith0ut inCur:

ring obligation:

,... j k,,

Figure 3=3 Figure 3-4

+ 14 hidden pages