Allow any spilled gas to evaporate before starting Engine. 7. Inflate tires to 60 PSI. 8. Remove Wheel Bearing Dust Proof Caps (15) and verify Bearings (19) are completely packed with bearing grease. If they are not greased, remove Bearings and completely pack with bearing grease. Replace Bearings and Wheel Bearing Covers. If you are not familiar with this procedure, have a qualified mechanic do it. Engine Controls Hydraulic Fluid Fill Tube Cap with Dip Stick Hydraulic Fluid Fill Tube Primer Button Throttle Lever Choke Lever Rope Handle Air Cleaner Gas Cap Starting the Engine During this procedure, refer to the photos of the Engine Controls on page 6. 1. Push the Throttle Lever to the fast (left) position, then slightly to the right. 2. Close the Choke by pulling it to the left. Note: If the Engine is already hot, it is not necessary to close the Choke. 3. Push the red Prime Button three times to inject gas into the carburetor. Wait two seconds between each prime. If this is the first time starting the new Engine, prime five times. Excessive priming will flood the Engine and it will not start. 4. Gently pull the starter Rope Handle until it engages. Then pull it hard and all the way out. Slowly guide the Rope Handle back into the starter housing. The Engine should start. Try again if it does not start. Refer to the Troubleshooting section if problems persist. Let the engine run for five minutes to warm up. 5. Push in the Choke Lever to the right to close. 6. Push the Throttle Lever (all the way) to the fast position (left). Stopping the Engine 1. Push the Throttle Lever all the way to the Off (right) position. Engine should shut down. When Engine is cool, remove Spark Plug cable to avoid restarting accidently. 2. Push the Ram Control forward and backward until all pressure is used up. Splitting Logs 1. Place wheel chocks (not supplied) on each side of the wheels to keep the Log Splitter from moving. See photo below. 2. Allow the engine to run for a few minutes to build up pressure in the hydraulic system. 3. Pull back on Ram Control to retract the Ram, then move to neutral (center) position. 4. Center a log on the Main Body (23), no more than 20” long and 14” in diameter. Ram Control Handle (36) Reverse Forward Cutting Wedge Main Body (23) Sliding Seat (33) Wheel Chocks (not included) 5. Momentarily push forward lightly on the Ram Control until the log is locked in place between the Sliding Seat (33) and the Cutting Wedge. If the log is correctly seated, continue with Step 5. 6. Stand to one side of the Engine, then push the Ram Control forward until the log is split. 7. When the log is split, pull back on the Ram Control to retract the Ram. Prepare the next log to be split. The Log Splitter hydraulic system can split up to four logs per minute. Basic Troubleshooting Maintenance Before performing maintenance procedures, it may be helpful to locate the items to be serviced in the photos on page 6, or the Assembly Drawing and Parts List at the end of this manual. Some Engine maintenance, adjustments, and repairs must be completed by a qualified, small engine mechanic. Refer to the Briggs and Stratton Service Manual (supplied). Scheduled Maintenance Cleaning Air Filter Using compressed air, blow the dust from both elements and the Filter Base on the Engine. If the Filter Elements cannot be cleaned, wash the foam element with mild soap and water, and dry. Purchase a new paper Filter Element if necessary. Reinstall Filter Elements, Air Filter Housing, and Nut. See photo below, left. Cleaning and Replacing Spark Plug 1. Pull off the Spark Plug Cable. 2. Using a socket wrench (not supplied), carefully unscrew the Spark Plug. Wait for the Engine to cool to avoid burning hands. 3. Clean Spark Plug with a steel brush. If the insulator is damaged, replace Spark Plug. Caution: Using other than the recommended Spark Plug replacement type can damage the Engine (see Specifications on page 2). 4. Measure the Spark Plug electrode gap with a feeler gauge (not supplied). See illustration above, left. It should be set to 0.030” (0.76 mm). If adjustment is necessary, bend the side electrode carefully, then re-measure. If Spark Plug Gasket is damaged, replace it. 5. Replace Spark Plug by hand for the first few turns, then tighten with the socket wrench completely. Securely tighten. A Spark Plug with a new Gasket requires 1/2 more turns to tighten than the used Gasket which requires 1/8 to 1/4 turns to tighten. Changing Oil 1. Run the Engine for five minutes to warm up the oil, then shut off the Engine. 2. Place a drain pan under the Drain Plug. (Drain plug screw is located under the Engine.) 3. Remove the Dip Stick and unscrew the Drain Plug. 4. Allow all the oil to drain out into the pan. Pour the used oil into a container with a lid. Deliver used oil to a recycling center. Do not dump oil into the earth or storm drain. 5. Replace Drain Plug and securely tighten. 6. Add 1/2 quart of 10W 30 motor oil through a siphon into the Di...