Summary of Important Safety Information for Operation
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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 ram, 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
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.
When operating log lift:
Stay in the designated OPERATOR position while operating log lift control.
If a helper is assisting in loading logs to be split, do not actuate log lift control until the helper is at
least 10 feet away.
Use only your hand to operate the log lift control. Never use any other body part, or a rope, cable, or
other remote device to actuate the control.
Keep hands clear while log is rolling onto the beam.
NEVER reach across the beam to move a log off the log lift onto the beam -- the controls could be
accidentally be activated. If a log is oddly shaped and does not roll down onto the beam by itself,
walk around the log splitter to the log lift side and move the log onto the beam by hand.
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.
Ram moving. NEVER load or unload logs while the ram is moving.
Cracks
. Cracks in logs can close quickly and pinch fingers. Keep fingers away from any cracks that open in
partially split logs.
Split log pile
. Move each log away from log splitter after it is split. Split logs left near the log splitter are a trip
hazard.
Forked logs.
Do not attempt a 4-way split on forked logs. They can be extremely hard to split and can get stuck
on the 4-way wedge. Only split forked logs with the 2-way wedge completely down.
Keep hands clear when lowering wedge.
The 4-way wedge and cam mechanism can pinch fingers and toes.
When lowering the wedge, keep hands and feet clear of the wedge, the area directly below wedge, and the cam
mechanism.
Remove hands
. Remove both hands from log before activating Split Control Lever.
Hand activate
. Use only your hand to operate the Split Control Lever. Never use any other body part, or a rope,
cable, or other remote device to actuate the control
.
Returning ram.
Once the control valve is actuated in the return direction, the ram is designed to keep returning
by itself completely and then stop automatically. Stay clear while the ram is returning. It is still powerful enough
on the return stroke to cause serious injury.
