MTD 243-635-000 - Manual (Page 9)

f. Refill the reservoir to within 1-1/2" to 2" from
the top of the tank. Much of the original fluid
has been drawn into the cylinder and hoses.
Make certain to refill the reservoir, to prevent
extreme damage to the hydraulic pump. Failure
to refill the tank will void your warranty.
NOTE: Some fluid may overflow from the vent plug as
the system builds heat and the fluid expands and
seeks its own level.
A
WARNING: Do not operate the log splitter
without the proper amount of transmis­
sion fluid in the reservoir tank.
^ BEFORE STARTING
Before each use, check the following:
1. Place log splitter on a firm, level surface. For ver­
tical operation, pull the locking rod out and pivot it
down to release the beam. Place the beam in the
vertical position.
2. Remove the vent plug and check the fluid level.
Fluid level should be 1-1/2" to 2" from the top of
the tank.
IMPORTANT: Reservoir tank must be full as instruct­
ed. Low fluid level will damage the pump and void
your warranty.
3. Lubricate the beam area where splitting wedge
will slide with engine oil (DO NOT USE
GREASE). Make certain to oil both front and back
of the beam face.
4. Fill gasoline tank as instructed in separate engine
manual.
5. Attach spark plug wire to spark plug.
TO START ENGINE
IMPORTANT: Refer to the separate engine manual
for detailed starting instructions for your model.
1. 5 H.P. Only: Place throttle control lever on the
engine in FAST position.
8 H.P. Only: Place the engine shut-off switch in
ON position.
2. Place choke lever in CHOKE position (a warm
engine may not require choking).
3. Grasp starter handle and pull rope out slowly until
engine reaches start of compression cycle (rope
will pull slightly harder at this point). Let the rope
rewind slowly.
A WARNING: When restarting a warm
engine, keep away from muffler and other
heated surfaces on the engine.
4. Pull rope with a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke.
Keep a firm grip on the starter handle. Let the
rope rewind slowly. Do not let starter handle snap
back against starter.
5. Repeat preceding instructions 3 and 4 until
engine fires. When engine starts, move choke
lever halfway between CHOKE and RUN.
6. 5 H.P. Only: Move throttle control lever to IDLE
position for a few minutes warm-up.
7. Gradually move choke lever to RUN position as
engine warms up.
NOTE: In order to idle smoothly, a new engine may
require 3 to 5 minutes running above slow idle speed.
Idle speed has been adjusted to be correct after this
break-in period.
8. If weather is cold, run wedge up and down beam
6 to 8 times to circulate the hydraulic fluid, which
will warm and thin the fluid.
TO STOP ENGINE
1. 5 H.P. Only: Move throttle control lever to OFF
position.
8 H.P. Only: Move the engine shut-off switch to
the OFF position.
2. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug to
prevent accidental starting while equipment is
unattended.
USING THE LOG SPLITTER
Use the log splitter only on a level, hard surface.
Never stand next to the splitting wedge when operat­
ing the log splitter. Always stand behind the reservoir
tank. See figures 13 and 14. Never attempt to cut a
log in half sideways. Always split the log lengthwise.
Maximum length of log to be split is 24".
A
WARNING: Always use the log splitter In
the vertical position only when splitting
heavy logs.
fN.
The control handle has three positions:
FORWARD—Push the control handle down for vertical
operation, push it forward for horizontal operation—
Splitting wedge moves toward the end plate. Control
handle will return to neutral position as soon as han­
dle is released.