MTD compact log splitter Operator's Manual

Safe Operation Practices • Set-Up • Operation • Maintenance • Service • Troubleshooting • Warranty

OperatOr’s Manual

Compact Log Splitter

WARNING

READ AND FOLLOW ALL SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL

BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THIS MACHINE.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.

MTD MACHINERY (SUZHOU) CO., LTD. SUZHOU, CHINA 215121

Printed In China

Form No. 769-09769

(March 6, 2014)

To The Owner

Thank You

Thank you for purchasing an MTD Log Splitter. It was carefully
engineered to provide excellent performance when properly
operated and maintained.

Please read this entire manual prior to operating the equipment.
It instructs you how to safely and easily set up, operate and
maintain your machine. Please be sure that you, and any other
persons who will operate the machine, carefully follow the
recommended safety practices at all times. Failure to do so could
result in personal injury or property damage.

All information in this manual is relative to the most recent
product information available at the time of printing. Review
this manual frequently to familiarize yourself with the machine,
its features and operation. Please be aware that this Operator’s
Manual may cover a range of product specifications for various
models. Characteristics and features discussed and/or illustrated
in this manual may not be applicable to all models. We reserve
the right to change product specifications, designs and
equipment without notice and without incurring obligation.

Table of Contents

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

Assembly & Set-Up .................................................. 7

Controls & Features ................................................. 9

Operation ................................................................10

Maintenance & Adjustments ................................12

1

If applicable, the power testing information used to establish
the power rating of the engine equipped on this machine can be
found at www.opei.org or the engine manufacturer’s web site.

If you have any problems or questions concerning the machine,
phone your local authorized MTD service dealer or contact us
directly. MTD’s Customer Support telephone numbers, website
address and mailing address can be found on this page. We want
to ensure your complete satisfaction at all times.

Throughout this manual, all references to right and left side of the
machine are observed from the operating position

Service .....................................................................13

Troubleshooting .....................................................14

Replacement Parts .................................................15

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

Record Product Information

Before setting up and operating your new equipment, please
locate the model plate on the equipment and record the
information in the provided area to the right. You can locate
the model plate by standing behind the log splitter and looking
down at the engine. This information will be necessary, should
you seek technical support via our web site, Customer Support
Department, or with a local authorized service dealer.

Model NuMber

Serial NuMber

Customer Support

Please do NOT return the machine to the retailer or dealer without first contacting the Customer Support Department.

If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation, or maintenance of
this machine, you can seek help from the experts. Choose from the options below:

◊ Visit us on the web at www.mtdproducts.com

See How-to Maintenance and Parts Installation Videos at www.mtdparts.com/KnowledgeCenter

◊ Call a Customer Support Representative at (86) 512-62891900

◊ Write to MTD Machinery (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. Suzhou, China 215121

2

Important Safe Operation Practices

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!

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

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 safe operation practices 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 debris. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in
serious injury or death.

2

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 16 years of age to operate this
machine. Children 16 and over should read and understand
the instructions and safe operation practices in this manual
and on the machine and be trained and supervised by an
adult.

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

6. Keep bystanders, 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, fittings, 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 is intended for use near any unimproved forest,
brush, or grass covered land, the engine exhaust should be
equipped with a spark arrestor. Make sure you comply with
applicable local, state, and federal codes. Take appropriate
firefighting equipment with you.

3

14. This machine should be used for splitting wood only, do
not use it for 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 when
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 machine is on a level surface before operating.

5. Always block wheels to prevent unintended movement.

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 log splitter in daylight or under good artificial light.

Safe Handling of Gasoline

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 clothes immediately.

a. Use only an approved gasoline container.

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

sources of ignition.

c. Never fuel 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 five
(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 five (5) minutes

before storing.

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

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

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

14. This machine should not be towed on any street, highway
or public road behind a vehicle.

Maintenance and Storage

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.

4 Section 2 — impo rtant Safe operation practiceS

3. To prevent fires, clean debris and chaff from the engine
and muffler areas. If the engine is equipped with a spark
arrestor 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 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 safety!”

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

10. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission
(CPSC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
this product has an Average Useful Life of seven (7) years,
or 130 hours of operation. At the end of the Average Useful
Life have the machine inspected annually by an authorized
service dealer to ensure that all mechanical and safety
systems are working properly and not worn excessively.
Failure to do so can result in accidents, injuries or death.

Spark Arrestor

WARNING: This machine is equipped with an

internal combustion engine and should not be used
on or near any unimproved forest-covered,
brushcovered or grass-covered land unless the
engine’s exhaust system is equipped with a spark
arrestor meeting applicable local or state laws (if
any).

If a spark arrestor 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 arrestor for the muffler is available through your
nearest engine authorized service dealer or contact the service

department, MTD Machinery (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. Suzhou,

China 215121.

WARNING: Your Responsibility—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.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

5Section 2 — impo rtant Safe operation practiceS