Fault Finding

The sizes or hardness of the log exceeds the capacity of the machine

Reduce the log sizes before splitting it on the log splitter

Wedge cutting edge is blunt

Refer to “Sharpening Wedge“ section of the manual.

Unauthorised adjustment of the Max. Pressure Limiting Screw.

Contact the dealer.

Partial blockage of the pump oil ways.

Turn the splitter upside down. Undo the 3 bolts fastening the pump to the underside of the rear end plate. Check the oilways in the pump and the end plate for signs of a blockage. If no sign of a blockage, contact the dealer

Operating lever loose or not bent correctly and therefore not operating valve correctly

Check that the nut securing the lever is fully tightened. Check that the face of the lever that operates the valve is bent through a full 90 degrees in relation to the mounting face. If not, remove the lever and correct the bend in a vice.

Intermittently fails to split logs

Silicone sealant or other contaminent floating in tank

Remove the combined drain plug and dipstick, tip the log splitter vertically and drain the old oil.

Tip the log splitter vertically and refill with fresh oil so that it just touches the dipstick. Note that the dipstick must be fully screwed in when checking the level.

We recommend using our HYD46+ hydraulic oil which has been specially formulated.

The carriage moves slowly, jerks, making unfamiliar noise, fails to split

Log splitter pointing downhill

Check that the front (fixed blade end) of the log splitter is not pointing downhill, the splitter should be level or pointing uphill.

Low oil level

Check oil level or raise the front foot on a block of wood, if the splitter works normally then the oil level is low, top up. The log splitter must be vertical and the dipstick screwed in to check the level.

Oil leaks around cylinder ram

Air sealed in hydraulic system while operating.

Loosen Bleed Screw by 3 ~ 4 rotations before operating the log splitter

Bleed Screw is not tightened before moving the log splitter.

Tighten the Bleed Screw up before moving the log splitter.

Oil Drain Bolt with Dipstick is not tight.

Tighten the Oil Drain Bolt with Dipstick.

Oil leaks around rear of motor or other points

Seals worn or pump leaking

Locate the oil leak. Clean the area around the rear of the motor and log splitter with white spirit and dry it. Dab around the area with kitchen towel which should pick up spots of oil from the source of the leak. It may help to operate the pump.

After locating the leak contact the dealer.

As soon as the motor starts, the carriage begins to move without pressing the lever.

Operating valve sticking or obstructed

Check that end of the valve stem remains in contact with the face of the lever when the lever is depressed and released. If the valve does not pop back out when the lever is realeased, clean as explained below.

ENSURE THE RAM IS FULLY RETURNED

Remove the nut holding the lever and remove the lever. Remove the valve, check the O-Ring and clean the valve with lint free cloth. Replace the valve and the lever.

Carriage moves without pressing the lever and the splitter fails to split.

Operating valve sleeve misalligned

Remove the valve as above. Loosen the grub screw in the angled hole below the valve sleeve then use a wooden drift to tap in the sleeve and tighten the grub screw.

No power to motor

Fuse blown or RCD tripped

Check fuse in plug. If blown replace with a working 13 amp fuse. Check RCD for the ring main has not tripped.

If the RCD has tripped, try the machine on a separate ring main. If it repeatedly trips, unplug all other equipment from sockets on the ring main and switch these sockets off. Try to start the motor.

Log splitter trips RCD or blows fuse each time it starts or after running for a short while

Motor jammed

Check motor turns freely, remove the black fan cover. It should be possible to turn the fan with slight pressure from one finger. If not check for obstructions of the fan.

Operating lever loose or not bent correctly and therefore not operating valve correctly

Check that the nut securing the lever is fully tightened.

Check that the face of the lever that operates the valve is bent through a full 90 degrees in relation to the mounting face. If not, remove the lever and correct the bend in a vice.

Pump gears binding

Loosen each of the 6 bolts on the back of the pump by ¼ of a turn and check if the motor turns freely.

Pump gears jammed

Remove the 6 bolts from the pump and separate the motor and pump. Check the gears for any silicone sealant or other material. When reasembling, the torque for the bolts is 12 ft lb, 16 N m.

Ram does not return fully or returns jerkily

Moving carriage is obstructed

Check underneath the blade/pusher and down the sides of the carriage, for any splinters of wood that may be obstructing the carriage.

Also check that the plastic spacers underneath the blade and between the carriage and the underside of the splitter have not been dislodged.

Sap on log bed

Check the log bed for a build up of sap. Apply a thin layer of grease to the bed.

Moving carriage arms bent

Use the Ramstop to lock the ram in position about 150mm forward. Remove the 4 bolts holding the Duoct blade/pusher to the carriage and remove the blade/pusher. Unlock the Ramstop, if the carriage returns then the arms are bent.

Check the amount of bend with a straight edge, if it is less than 5mm then you may be able to straighten them in a vice.

Ram bent

If the ram does not return after removing the Duocut blade. Loosen the 2 rear lock nuts on the carriage arms and remove the 2 nuts in front of the crosspiece. Remove the carriage from the log splitter. If the ram does not return contact the dealer.