5
Maintenance
Starting the engine
1. Read engine owner's manual for complete starting instruction. Do not operate this Splitter without reading
the engine owner's manual.
2. Move the throttle control lever out to the START position.
3. Grasp rope handle and pull slowly until resistance is felt. Then pull cord rapidly to overcome compression,
prevent kickback and start engine.
4. Operate engine in the 3/4 throttle position.
Splitting Wood
Logs may be split in either a vertical or horizontal position. To place splitter into the vertical position. Remove
clevis pin from u-bracket on tongue (see Figure 1) and push beam into position. Reattach clevis pin.
1. Always keep hands and feet from the splitting area.
2. To prevent severe injury only one person should operate the log splitter. Any helpers or bystanders should
remain at least 10 feet from the splitter.
3. Place log up to 26" long into log cradle.
4. Standing in the safe splitting zone, push long handle forward or down. When log is split release handle.
5. For best results and safety do not attempt to split across the grain of the wood.
6. Remove pieces and place a safe distance from the splitter.
7. Reload splitter.
There is very little maintenance with your Maxim Log Splitter.
Follow engine manual for taking care of your engine.
Before each use . . .
1. Check oil in engine.
2. Check hydraulic uid.
3. Check to make sure all bolts holding the engine are tight.
4. Check to insure that all hydraulic ttings are tight.
After each use . . .
Clean dust and debris from engine.
After 25 splitting hours . . .
1. Check oil in engine.
2. Check hydraulic uid.
3. Check and clean air lter.
After 100 splitting hours . . .
1. Change hydraulic uid.
Hydraulic Fluid
1. To check uid
• Place splitter on level ground.
• Remove uid check plug (See gure 1).
• Insert clean dowel or other dip stick into hydraulic uid tank. Level should be 1/2 to 3/4 full.
• Add uid, if needed. Use any good universal tractor grade hydraulic uid. You should be able to nd the uid at
any Co-op, tractor supply, and many hardware stores. Do not mix different types of uid.
• Recheck level.
2. To change uid
• Unscrew hydraulic uid lter (See gure 1)
• Drain old oil into an appropriate container. Dispose of properly.
• After the old hydraulic oil is drained, replace lter (Figure 4, #47a) and rell reservoir with any good quality uni
versal tractor grade hydraulic uid.
3. To remove air from the hydraulic line
• Lift rear wheels onto a raised surface.
• Block wheels.
• Start engine.
• Move operating handles forward and backward several times until the hydraulic ram moves smoothly.