Swisher LS422X User Manual

swisherinc.com

OWNER’S

MANUAL

MODEL NO.
LS422X

STARTING SERIAL #:
L206-010001

LOG

SPLITTER

Safety

IMPORTANT

Read and follow all Safety
Precautions and Instructions
before operating this
equipment.

Rev. 06-010

1602 CORPORATE DRIVE, WARRENSBURG, MISSOURI 64093 PHONE [phone]

Manufacturing quality lawn care equipment since 1945

11421

Assembly
Operation
Service and Adjustment
Repair Parts

FAX [phone]

Made In The

USA

LIMITED WARRANTY

The manufacturer’s warranty to the original consumer purchaser is: This product is free from defects in
materials and workmanship for a period of ONE (1) year from the date of purchase by the original consumer
purchaser. We will repair or replace, at our discretion, parts found to be defective due to materials or
workmanship. This warranty is subject to the following limitations and exclusions:

1) Engine Warranty All engines utilized on our products have a separate warranty extended
to them by the individual engine manufacturer. Any engine service
difficulty is the responsibility of the engine manufacturer and in no
way is Swisher Mower Co., Inc. or its agents responsible for the engine
warranty. The Briggs & Stratton Engine Service Hot-Line is 1-800­233-3723.

2) Commercial Use The warranty period for any product used for commercial or rental is
limited to ninety (90) days from the date of original purchase.

3) Limitation This warranty applies only to products which have been properly
assembled, adjusted, and operated in accordance with the instructions
contained within this manual. This warranty does not apply to any
product of Swisher Mower Co., Inc., that has been subject to alteration,
misuse, abuse, improper assembly or installation, shipping damage, or
to normal wear of product.

4) Exclusions Excluded from this warranty are normal wear, normal adjustments, and
normal maintenance. The pump, valve, and cylinder each carry separate
manufacture’s warranties. The valve and cylinder both carry a one (1) year
limited warranty. The pump carries a two (2) year limited warranty.

In the event you have a claim under this warranty, you must return the product to an authorized service dealer.
All transportation charges, damage, or loss incurred during transportation of parts submitted for replacement or
repair under this warranty shall be borne by the purchaser. Should you have any questions concerning this
warranty, please contact us toll-free at 1-800-222-8183. The model number, serial number, date of purchase,
and the name of the authorized Swisher dealer from whom you purchased the splitter will be needed before any
warranty claim can be processed.

THIS WARRANTY DOES NOT APPLY TO ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARE LIMITED TO THE SAME TIME PERIODS
STATED HEREIN FOR ALL EXPRESSED WARRANTIES. Some states do not allow the limitation of

consequential damages or limitations on how long an implied warranty may last, so the above limitations or
exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may have other rights,
which vary from state-to-state. This is a limited warranty as defined by the Magnuson-Moss Act of 1975.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

WARRANTY………………....….2

SAFETY PERCAUTIONS………3-4
TOWING..….……..……………..5
OPERATION……………………5-8

MAINTENANCE.…………………….7-8
DECALS…..………….……………….9
PARTS BREAKDOWN………………10-13
SPECIFICATIONS..…………………..15

2

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

When you see this symbol, carefully read the message that follows and be

This Safety Alert Symbol indicates important messages in this manual.

alert to the possibility of personal injury.

Read this manual completely. This machine can amputate hands, feet, and throw objects.
Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.

WARNING:

to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the state of California

DANGER:

manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result
in serious injury. If you violate any of these rules, you may cause serious injury to yourself or others.

Your log splitter was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this

• Read and understand the manual. Learn to operate this equipment in a safe manner. Familiarize
yourself with all of the controls in a safe environment before starting to work with this machine.

• DO NOT under any circumstances alter this log splitter. This equipment was designed and
engineered in accordance with operating instructions. Altering this equipment, or using this
equipment in such a way as to circumvent its design capabilities and capacities, could result in
serious injury or fatality and WILL VOID THE WARRANTY.

• Allow ONLY responsible adults who have read this manual to operate this machine. NEVER
allow children to operate this machine.

• NEVER operate or allow someone to operate this equipment while under the influence of
alcohol, drugs or medication. Being coherent is essential for safety.

• ALWAYS use outdoors with adequate ventilation. DON’T run the engine in an enclosed area.
Exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide. This odorless gas can be deadly when inhaled.

• NEVER use splitter for any other purpose than splitting wood. Any other use can result in
injury. Your splitter is a precision piece of power equipment, not a toy. Therefore, exercise
extreme caution at all times.

•

ONLY a single operator is to load and operate the log splitter. KEEP all others, including pets
and children, a minimum of 20 feet away from your work area. More accidents occur when
more than one person operates the log splitter than any other time.

• ALWAYS wear protective gear such as safety goggles, protective hearing device, steel-toed
shoes, and tight-fitting gloves without drawstrings or loose cuffs.

• NEVER wear loose clothing or jewelry that can be caught by moving parts of the splitter and
pull you into it. Keep hair away from moving parts.

• NEVER operate your splitter on wet, muddy, or icy surfaces. KEEP work area clean of split
wood. Safe footing is essential in preventing accidents.

ONLY operate splitter on level ground with wheels blocked, not on the side of a hill. It could

•

tip, or rolling logs, poor footing, etc. could cause an accident.

3

•

NEVER operate your splitter near a flame or spark. Hydraulic oil and gasoline are flammable and can
explode.

• NEVER fill gas tank while the engine is hot or running. Allow the engine to cool before refueling.

• 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.

-NOTE-

In the state of California, the above is required by law (Section 442 of the California Public Resources Code).
Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark arrester muffler (optional by
manufacturer) is available at your nearest engine dealer. Check legal requirements in your area.

• ONLY use your hands to operate the control lever. NEVER use foot, knee, rope or any extension device.

• Split ONLY one log at a time. NEVER attempt to split two logs on top of each other.

• NEVER place hands or feet between log and splitting wedge or between log and ram during forward or

reverse stroke. ALWAYS keep fingers clear of splits that open in log during splitting operation.

• DO NOT straddle or reach across the splitting area while operating the splitter.

• DO NOT step over splitter when the engine is running. You may trip or accidentally activate the splitting

wedge. Walk around to get to the other side.

• NEVER attempt to load splitter while splitting wedge is in motion. When loading log splitter, place hands
on the sides of the log, not the ends.

• NEVER attempt to split woods across the grain. Wood may burst or fly out of your splitter and result in
serious injury.

• NEVER leave your splitter unattended with the engine running. Shut off the engine if you are leaving
your splitter, even for a short period of time. Someone could accidentally activate the ram and be injured.

• Both ends of the log should be cut as squarely as possible to prevent the log from sliding out of the splitter
during operation. Log length should be kept to 24” or less.

• NEVER operate your splitter while it is attached to the tow vehicle.

• BEFORE towing, be certain that the splitter is securely attached to the towing vehicle and that the support

leg, beam and cylinder are secured in there respective towing positions.

• NEVER allow persons to ride on splitter. DO NOT carry any cargo or wood on your splitter. It may fall
off and cause an accident.

• DO NOT loosen or remove any hydraulic fitting, line or reservoir cap while your splitter or engine is
running.

• Fluid escaping from a very small hole can almost be invisible. DO NOT check for leaks with your hand.
See maintenance section for instructions. IF injured by escaping fluid, see a doctor at once. Serious
infection or reaction can develop if proper medical treatment is not administered immediately.

• DO NOT operate your splitter in poor mechanical condition or when it is need of repair.

• ALWAYS disconnect the spark plug wire and place the wire where it cannot contact the spark plug, to

prevent accidental starting the engine when setting up, transporting, adjusting or repairing.

4

ASSEMBLY

t it. Repeat this procedure several

DO NOT START OR RUN THE LOG SPLITTER WITHOUT OIL IN THE ENGINE

This log splitter has been partially assembled at the factory. Refer to the drawings and part lists should it become
necessary to disassemble the unit for repair or replacement of parts.

Inspect all components for damage. If you believe you have a damaged part please contact customer service
immediately at 1-800-222-8183.

WARNING:

equipment should be used.

Refer to uncrating and assembly instructions for assembly procedures.

Exercise extreme caution, as parts are very heavy. Sufficient persons or mechanical handling

OPERATION

INTENDED USE:

purposes. Doing so can cause injury or VOID THE WARRANTY.

IMPORTANT:

Engine Manual for proper fuel and oil recommendations.

WARNING:

DO NOT START OR RUN THE LOG SPLITTER WITHOUT OIL IN THE ENGINE

AND HYDRAULIC RESERVOIR.

FILLING THE HYDRAULIC RESERVOIR

Fill the hydraulic reservoir with at least 12 Quarts of Dextron III Automatic Transmission fluid or 10W AW
hydraulic fluid. After the hydraulic reservoir and the engine crankcase are filled correctly with their respective
oils, start the engine. Remember to set the throttle and turn on the fuel shut-off valve. The hydraulic pump
should prime itself. With the engine running, move the hydraulic valve lever toward the wedge. This will cause
the cylinder to extend and expel air. When the cylinder is fully extended, retrac
times. (An erratic movement of the cylinder indicates that there is air in the system). Once the cylinder has a
smooth and constant speed indicating that all air has been expelled, add another 4 quarts of oil, this should then
bring the fluid level up to approximately 3” below the fill hole. This model requires approx. 16-17 Quarts of
hydraulic fluid.

NOTE:

If the tank is overfilled, it will tend to expel oil from the breather cap when the cylinder is retracted.

START UP
WARNING:

AND HYDRAULIC RESERVOIR.

See separate Engine Manual for fuel and oil recommendations. If applicable your log splitter has come equipped
with a fuel shut-off valve for towing purposes.
Before starting engine make sure crankcase is filled correctly with oil and the proper fuel has been used. The
engine will only start when the throttle lever and fuel shut-off valve if applicable are turned to their ON positions.

STARTING INSTRUCTIONS

Briggs & Stratton 4HP Engine

1. Move throttle control to “FAST.”

2. Push primer bulb three (3) times. NOTE:
shutdown.

3. Grasp rope handle and pull out slowly until resistance it felt. Then pull rapidly with a full arm stroke.
NOTE:

4. When Engine starts, leave throttle control at “FAST.” The throttle must be set in the fast position for
maximum performance.

5. To stop engine, move throttle lever to “SLOW” for a few seconds then to “STOP.”

This log splitter is intended and designed to only split wood. NEVER use for any other

This unit is shipped with oil but without gasoline in the engine. After assembly, see separate

Do not use primer to restart a warm engine after a short

If engine fails to start after three (3) pulls, repeat steps 1 and 2.

5