MTD 249-610-000 - Manual (Page 7)

d. Stop the engine. Remove the fluid check plug.
Add fluid as necessary until fluid starts to come
out of the hole. Replace the check plug.
e. Repeat steps “c” and “d” until the ram
operates smoothly and the fluid level is correct.
Then replace the breather cap securely.
Total capacity of the system is approximately 3
gallons.
A
t WARNING i
Do not operate the log splitter with­
out the proper amount of transmission
fluid in the reservoir tank.
NOTE
Be certain to purge the air from the
hydraulic system as instructed above
after any repair work is performed on
the pump, valve or cylinder, if a hose
is removed for any reason or when
adding fluid to the reservoir.
BEFORE STARTING
Before each use, check the following:
1. Place the log spitter on a firm, level surface.
2. Remove the fluid check plug. See figure 8. If fluid
starts to come out of the hole, fluid level is correct.
If it does not, fill reservoir as instructed in step 4
of the previous section.
3. Lubricate the area of the beam on which the ram
will slide with automotive grease.
4. Fill gasoline tank as instructed in the separate
engine manual.
5. Attach spark plug wire to spark plug.
TO START ENGINE
1. Place throttle control lever on the engine in FAST
position. See figure 9.
2. Place choke lever in CHOKE position.
NOTE
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.
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. Move throttle control lever to IDLE position for a
few minutes warm-up. 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.
7. If weather is cold, cycle the ram 6 to 8 times to cir­
culate the hydraulic fluid, which will warm and thin
the fluid.
TO STOP ENGINE
1. Move throttle control lever to OFF position.
2. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug to pre-
vent accidental starting while equipment is unat­
tended.
USING THE LOG SPLITTER
Use the log splitter only on a level, hard surface.
Never stand next to the ram when operating the log
splitter. Always stand behind the ram. See figure 10.
Never attempt to cut a log in half sideways. Always split
the log lengthwise. Maximum length of log to be split
is 25".
The control handle has three positions:
FORWARD (Push the control handle forward)—
Ram moves toward the splitting wedge. Control han­
dle will return to neutral position as soon as handle
is released.
NEUTRAL (Middle position)—Ram stops in place.
REVERSE (Push the control handle to the rear)—
Ram returns. The control handle will lock in the
reverse position, and will return to neutral
automatically when the reverse stroke is complete.