Operations and Procedures Manual for PowerQuip Wood Splitters
Please read this manual, serious injury or death can result if operating instructions and procedures are not followed.
Before assembly of the wood splitter, please read the assembly guide provided.
Before start up, please read the engine manual provided.
Note: Hydraulic oil and engine oil must be added before start up or serious component damage will occur.
Operating Environment
Always operate the wood splitter with all safety equipment in place and in good working order, and all controls properly adjusted for safe operation.
Only use the wood splitter in daylight so you can see what you are doing.
Only operate the wood splitter outdoors and ensure adequate ventilation, never operate in an enclosed area. Engine exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide which is an odourless and deadly gas if inhaled. The engine and exhaust muffler get very hot, do not touch or place anything on top of these.
Never smoke while operating the wood splitter, and never operate near sources of sparks and flames.
Only responsible adults can use this wood splitter, never let children operate the machine.
Never operate, or let anyone else operate, the wood splitter while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication.
Never leave the machine unattended while the engine is running.
Never modify or use the wood splitter in any other manner other than wood splitting, failure to adhere to this can cause serious injury or death.
Never refuel while the engine is running or hot, stop and allow to cool down before adding fuel.
Always maintain your wood splitter in good mechanical condition. Follow all recommended and required services, and inspect the condition of the wood splitter before operating. Do not attempt to operate the wood splitter if it is in need of repair.
Pre Operation
1) Use the following protective clothing/gear:
Eye protection – Always wear safety glasses or goggles when operating the machine. Pieces of log may fly out and serious eye injury can occur.
Footwear – Falling logs can crush feet. Always wear safety shoes or heavy boots when operating or helping to load logs.
Gloves – Wear snug fitting gloves without drawstrings or loose cuffs.
Hearing protection – The use of earmuffs or earplugs is recommended.
Clothing – Never wear loose fitting clothing or jewellery as these can become entangled in moving parts of the wood splitter.
2) Lock and Block:
Make sure the wood splitter is positioned on level firm ground.
Block the wheels to prevent unintended movement of the wood splitter. Check that all support legs are down and locked in position.
3) Operating Position:
For multi position models, set the wood splitter to either the Horizontal or Vertical position before starting the engine. Never change these positions while the engine is running as unintentional contact with the engine exhaust will cause serious burns.
Operating the Wood Splitter
1) Operator Safety:
Always operate the wood splitter from the manufacturers indicated operator position, this is always in front of the log support. The log support prevents a log rolling off and crushing the operator’s feet. Other positions are unsafe because they can increase the risk of injury from crushing, cutting, flying objects and burns.
Remove both hands from the log before activating the control valve lever.
Use only your hands to operate the control valve lever. Never use any other body part, or a rope, cable or other device to actuate the control valve lever.
Many accidents occur when there is more than one person involved in loading and operating the wood splitter. Only the operator can be in control of all aspects of the operation including loading logs, splitting and the removal of split wood. All other persons must stay out of the work zone as not to hinder the operator while the wood splitter is running.
If using a wood splitter with a log lifting device, always place the log in a position that it will not move or roll when the lifting device is being operated. Never use the log lifting device for anything else other than wood splitting operations. Failure to adhere to this can result in serious injury or death.
Never attempt to loosen or remove hydraulic fittings, hydraulic hoses, filters or reservoir caps while the engine is running. Hydraulic fluid can escape and cause serious injury. Before adjusting or servicing the hydraulic system, turn off the engine, cycle the valve levers to release system pressure and allow the hydraulic oil to cool. If hydraulic oil escapes and enters your skin, seek medical treatment immediately.
2) Wood Splitter Operation:
Inspect the wood splitter before every use. Check:
- Engine oil and hydraulic oil levels are correct.
- Hoses and connections are tight and don’t leak
- Bolts and nuts, especially the jaw coupler set screws and the muffler bolts.
- Tire pressures
3) Fuel
Use only fresh fuel of 91 octane rating or higher. Do not fill the fuel tank completely, leaving no space may hinder the fuel vent causing fuel to vacuum and not let fuel flow to the carburetor. If towing or transporting the wood splitter, run the engine first with the fuel tap off. This will drain the carburetor and prevent fuel from entering the engine when in transit.
4) Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level before every use. Always check the oil level with the wood splitter on level ground and when the engine is cold. The correct oil level is at the top of the threaded port, keep adding oil until engine oil comes out the filler port neck. Note either of the two filler ports can be used to fill and check the oil level. The engine is equipped with a low oil cut-off switch, operating the wood splitter with low oil or on a slope may actuate the switch to turn the engine off.
Change the engine oil regularly to maintain the engine and prolong wear. First engine oil change after the initial run in period is 2-5 hours. Thereafter change every 25 hours or as the manufacturers manual recommends.
5) Hydraulic Oil
Check the hydraulic oil level before every use. Always check the oil level with the wood splitter on level ground. Change the hydraulic oil at 100 hours intervals or yearly, along with checking and cleaning the hydraulic oil filter housed in the oil tank.
6) Start Up
Make sure the control valve lever is in neutral before starting and stopping the wood splitter.
Start and operate the engine as per the engine manual supplied. Let the engine warm up before operating.
There will be air in the hydraulic system at first start up and after hydraulic oil changes. The cylinder rod will move in a jerky manner at first, this is caused by trapped air in the hydraulic system. The hydraulic system will automatically bleed the air from the lines and the cylinder will move smoothly after a few cycles of extending and retracting the cylinder rod. Excess hydraulic oil may escape through the vent on the tank fill cap/dipstick.
7) Wood Splitting
Cut both ends of the log as squarely as possible to prevent the log from sliding out of the wood splitter during operation. Do not exceed the rated log length capacity of the wood splitter
Always split wood in the direction of the grain, attempting to split cross-grain may cause the log to explode or pieces of wood may fly out of the wood splitter and cause serious injury. This will also strain hydraulic system and the beam and may damage the wood splitter.
If using a four way split head, these are designed to split straight grain logs up to 20”. If splitting knotty logs, remove the two side wings and split these down to smaller pieces before using the four way split.
Do not allow pieces of wood to become lodged behind the split head, this can cause damage to the splitter valve, retraction box and parts behind the split head.
Towing
Use caution when towing the wood splitter. Do not exceed 50KPH while towing the wood splitter as it is not equipped with suspension or open road rated tires.
Securely attach the wood splitter to the towing vehicle.
Make sure the support leg(s) and any other component such as log lifter tray are secured in their respective towing positions.
Check tire pressures and condition of tires before towing.
Make sure wheel bearing lubrication service has been performed and that the castle nut split pins were installed properly.
Turn off the engine fuel tap and run the engine to drain the carburetor. Once it stops, turn off the engine switch. This will prevent fuel from entering the engine during transit.
Do not operate the wood splitter while connected to the tow vehicle, unhitch and deploy the support leg(s) before operating.
All PowerQuip made products are sold with the express understanding that the purchaser is thoroughly familiar with the safe and correct operation of the product as provided in our above information.
