DR Power Dual Action 3 pt. Hitch Model (Aug 2011 - Present) - Manual (Page 12)

12 DR ® DUAL-ACTION 3 PT HITCH LOG SPLITTER
Hands on
Sides of Wood
Figure 21
Wood
Against
Stop Base
5. Place the log on the Log Splitter. Grasp the log on the sides near the middle
of the block (Figure 21). Center the log, side-to-side, on the rail of the Log
Splitter, making sure that one end is against the Stop Base.
6. Using only your hand, push the Valve Control Handle forward (towards the
log) (Figure 22). If the log moves before it is contacted by the Wedge, release the
Valve Control Handle and then reposition the log.
7. Hold the Valve Control Handle, moving the Wedge towards the Log until the
log is split or the cylinder rod stops at its maximum travel position. Stop the Log
Splitter (forward movement), at any point in the splitting process, if you feel an
unsafe splitting condition is occurring. As the log is being split, DO NOT reach
forward and attempt to catch the split wood — let it fall to the ground/Tray.
8. Once the Wedge reaches its full forward travel, let go of the Valve Control
Handle and the Wedge will stay at that position.
9. Load another log on the other side of the Wedge and pull the Valve Control
Handle, moving the Wedge towards you and the Log until the log is split or the
cylinder rod stops at its maximum travel position.
Splitting Large Logs
When splitting a large log, or one in which the wood is extremely tough or stringy
(such as elm), the first pass through the Splitter may not split the log into two
sections. If this happens, turn the log and split off small sections. Repeat this process
as necessary to split the entire log.
Figure 22
Valve Control
Handle
Wedge
Figure 20
Make sure both ends of the log you are splitting are cut as square as possible.
This will prevent the log from sliding out of position while under pressure
(Figure 20)
Never run the Log Splitter unless the Hydraulic Fluid Tank is at the proper
level.
If the log does not split immediately, do not continue the forward thrust of the
Ram for more than five (5) seconds. This can damage the Splitter. Try
repositioning the log on the Splitter or set the log aside.
Depending on the type of wood being split, a log may not always split into two pieces and fall onto the Trays. If a log sticks to the
Wedge, move the Wedge away from the Base, stop the Engine, and carefully remove the log from the Wedge. If the Log is stuck
onto the Wedge and you can’t remove it by hand, a piece of wood cut into a Wedge shape can be used between the Log and Base
to lift the Log from the machine as you actuate the Lever.