MTD 500, 510 manual Important Safe Operation Practices, General Practices, Preparation

SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES

WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol - heed its warning.

WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

DANGER: This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury. This machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.

General Practices

1.Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine and in the manual(s) before attempting to assemble and operate. Keep this manual in a safe place for future and regular reference and for ordering replacement parts.

2.Be familiar with all controls and proper operation. Know how to stop the machine and disengage them quickly.

3.Never allow children under 16 years to operate this machine. Children,16 years and over, should read and understand instructions and safety rules in this manual and should be trained and supervised by a parent.

4.Never allow adults to operate this machine without proper instruction.

5.Many accidents occur when more than one person operates the machine. If a helper is assisting in loading logs, never activate the control until the helper is a minimum of 10 feet from the machine.

6.Keep bystanders, helpers, pets, and children at least 20 feet from the machine while it is in operation.

7.Never allow anyone to ride on this machine.

8.Never transport cargo on this machine.

9.Hydraulic log splitters develop high fluid pressures during operation. Fluid escaping through a pin hole opening can penetrate your skin and cause blood poisoning, gangrene, or death. Give attention to the following instructions at all times:

a.Do not check for leaks with your hand.

b.Do not operate machine with frayed, kinked, cracked, or damaged hoses, fitting, or tubing.

c.Stop the engine and relieve hydraulic system pressure before changing or adjusting fittings, hoses, tubing, or other system components.

d.Do not adjust the pressure settings of the pump or

valve.

5.Leaks can be detected by passing cardboard or wood, while wearing protective gloves and safety glasses, over the suspected area. Look for discoloration of cardboard or wood.

6.If injured by escaping fluid, see a doctor immediately. Serious infection or reaction can develop if proper medical treatment is not administered immediately.

7.Keep the operator zone and adjacent area clear for safe, secure footing.

8.If your machine is equipped with an internal combustion engine and it is intended for use near any unimproved forest, brush, or grass covered land, the engine exhaust

should be equipped with a spark arrester. Make sure you comply with applicable local, state, and federal codes. Take appropriate fire fighting equipment with you.

9.This machine should be used for splitting wood only, do not use it for any other purpose.

10.Follow the instructions in the manual(s) provided with any attachment(s) for this machine.

Preparation

1.Always wear safety shoes or heavy boots.

2.Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during operating this machine.

3.Never wear jewelry or loose clothing that might become entangled in moving or rotating parts of the machine.

4.Make sure machine is on level surface before operating.

5.Always block machine to prevent unintended movement, and lock in either horizontal or vertical position.

6.Always operate this machine from the operator zone(s) specified in the manual.

7.Logs should be cut with square ends prior to splitting.

8.Use log splitter in daylight or under good artificial light.

9.To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite. Wash your skin and change immediately.

a.Use only an approved gasoline container.

b.Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other sources of ignition.

c.Never fuel machine indoors.

d.Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is hot or running.

e.Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling.

f.Never overfill the fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than 1/2 inch below bottom of filler neck to provide space for fuel expansion.

g.Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.

h.If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and equipment. move machine to another area. Wait 5 minutes before starting the engine.

i.Never store the machine or fuel container inside where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light as on a water heater, space heater, furnace, clothes dryer or other gas appliances.

j.Allow machine to cool 5 minutes before storing.

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