Product Manual
31
Summary of Important Safety Information for Operation
• Know how to stop. Be thoroughly familiar with all controls and with the proper use of the equipment. Know how
to stop the log splitter and relieve system pressures quickly if needed.
• Daylight only. Only use the log splitter in daylight so you can see what you are doing.
• Smoking / sparks. Never smoke while operating the log splitter, and never operate near sources of sparks or
flames.
• Unattended. Never leave the machine unattended while the tractor engine is running.
• Under the influence. Never operate, or let anyone else operate, the log splitter while under the influence of
alcohol, drugs, or medication.
• Adjusting / repairing. Always make sure the tractor engine is off before cleaning, repairing or adjusting the
splitter, except as recommended by the manufacturer. In addition, move all control handles back and forth to
relieve system pressure before changing or adjusting hydraulic system components such as hoses, tubing, fittings or
other components.
• Carbon monoxide. The running tractor engine gives off carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas that can kill you. You
CANNOT smell it, see it, or taste it. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using the log splitter, shut off the
tractor engine and get to fresh air RIGHT AWAY. See a doctor. You may have carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Other exhaust dangers. 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. Avoid
inhalation of exhaust.
Safety in Loading, Operating, and Unloading
• Square log ends. Logs that are not cut square can slide out while splitting and become a safety hazard or cause
excessive force to log splitter components. Use a chainsaw to cut logs square on each end before attempting to split
them.
• Single log. Never attempt to split more than one log at a time. Pieces of log can unexpectedly be thrown from the
machine causing serious injury.
• Split along grain. Do not use the log splitter to split logs across the grain. Doing so will damage the log splitter
and could also cause pieces of log to be thrown, injuring the operator or bystanders.
• Keep hands clear. ALWAYS keep hands and feet away from the endplate, wedge, and partially split logs while
loading, operating and unloading the log splitter.
• Operator position. ALWAYS operate the log splitter from the manufacturer’s indicated OPERATOR POSITION.
Other positions are unsafe because they can increase the risk of injury from crushing, cutting, flying objects, or
burns.
• Straddling / reaching across. Never straddle, reach across, or step over the beam while the engine is running and
the log splitter is in the horizontal position. You could trip, actuate the controls, and get seriously injured.
• Second person. Many accidents occur when there is more than one person involved in loading and operating the
log splitter. Only one person should operate the controls. If a second person is assisting in loading logs, the
operator must NEVER actuate the Split Control Lever until the assistant and all bystanders are at least 10 feet
away. NEVER allow an assistant to hold the log in place while the operator actuates the Split Control Lever.
• Loading/Unloading
o Unsplit log pile. Do not pile logs to be split in a place that will make you reach across the log splitter in
order to load them.
o Hold bark side. Hold the bark side of logs when loading or positioning, never the ends. Never place
your hands or any part of your body between a log and any part of the log splitter.
o NOTE for vertical position loading: Place the log on the endplate and turn it until it leans against the
beam and is stable. If the log is too big or oddly shaped, stabilize the log with wooden shims between the
log and endplate or ground. DO NOT use your leg or knee to stabilize the log. NEVER stabilize the log
by placing your hand on top of the log.
o Wedge moving. NEVER load or unload logs while the wedge is moving.
o Cracks. Cracks in logs can close quickly and pinch fingers. Keep fingers away from any cracks that
open in partially split logs.