MTD 560, 530, 511, 24AB561E062, 24AB561D352 Owner’s Manual

YARD

OPERATOR'S MANUAL

Log Splitter

Vertical Shaft

Assembled

Model Series

500, 501,510, 511

530, 550, 560, and 561

MTD

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IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

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 PRODUCTS INC. P.O. BOX 368022 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-9722

PRINTED IN U.S.A. FORM NO. 770-10055B

ECO No. 1481 (5/00)

TABLEOFCONTENTS

Content Page

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

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

Know Your Log Splitter ...................................................................................... 7

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

Adjusting Your Log Splitter ................................................................................. 10

Maintaining Your Log Splitter ............................................................................. 10

Conditions That Will Void Warranty ................................................................... 12

Troubleshooting ................................................................................................. 12

Parts List ............................................................................................................ 14

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 information from itin the 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) (Sedal Number)

MTD PRODUCTS INC

CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136

Copy the model number here:

Copy the serial number here:

CALLINGCUSTOMERSUPPORT

If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation or

maintenance of this unit, please call the Customer Support Department.

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

WARNING: 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 State of California to cause cancer
and 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.

TRAINING

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 their proper
operation. Know how to stop the machine and
disengage them quickly.

3. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate
this machine. Children 14 years old and over
should read and understand the operation
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.

5. Many accidents occur when more than one person
operates the machine. If a 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 feet from the machine while it is in

operation.

7. Never allow anyone to ride on this machine.

8. Never transport cargo on this machine.

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, gangrene, or death. Give attention to the
following 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.

10. 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.

11. If injured by escaping fluid, see a doctor
immediately. Serious infection or reaction can
develop if proper medical treatment is not
administered immediately.

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

13. 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.

14. This machine should be used for splitting wood
only, do not use itfor any other purpose.

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

PREPARATION

1. 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.

4. Make sure this machine is on level surface before
operating.

5. Always block the machine as required to prevent
unintended movement, and lock in either the

horizontal or vertical position.

6. Always operate this machine from the operator
zone(s) specified in the manual.

7. Logs should be cut with square ends prior to
splitting.

8. Use your log splitter in daylight or under good
artificial light.

g.

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 at least 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 it off the engine

and equipment, move machine to another
area. Wait 5 minutes before starting the
engine.

i. Never store the machine or fuel container

inside where there is an open flame, spark or
pilot light as on a water heater, space heater,

furnace, clothes dryer or other gas

appliances.

j. Allow machine to cool at least 5 minutes

before storing.

OPERATION

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 the 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 that 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. If a "Statement of
Odgin" is required in your state, see your local

dealer.

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

1. Before staring 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.

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 atow vehicle or adequate
help.

.

For your safety, replace all damaged or worn parts

g.

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 safety!"

understand and follow the warnings and instructions in this manual and on the machine.

WARNING: - YOUR RESPONSIBILITY: Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who read,

NOTE: Not all safety labels shown may apply to your log spfitters.

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.

V_T]CAL

OPERATOR'S INSTRUCTIONS _,_ eP_'_e_'_ _,_

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SECTION2: ASSEMBLINGYOURLOGSPLITTER

IMPORTANT: This unit is shipped without gasoline or oil
in the engine. Be certain to service engine with gasoline
and oil as instructed in the separate engine manual
before operating your machine.

NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the log

spfitter is observed from the operating position.

RemovingUnitFromCarton

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.)

WARNING: Use extreme caution unpack-

ing this machine. Some components are

very heavy and will require additional peo-

ple or mechanical handling equipment.

_1_ WARNING: Disconnect the spark plug wire

NOTE: Do not remove the banding from around the

tank until the log splitter is assembled.

and ground against the engine to prevent
unintended starting.

Remove the two bolts, lock washers, and hex nuts

that secure the tongue assembly to the beam

assembly.
Unlock the two beam locks by pulling out on the
beam locks and pivoting them down. Remove the

tongue assembly. See Figure 1.

Place the end of the tongue assembly in between

the brackets on the wheel and reservoir tank

assembly. Secure with hardware previously
removed.