Gearmore LS20E User manual

3-POINT LOG
SPLITTER
Assembly, Parts
& Operator's Manual
For Model
LS20E
August 2004
Form: LS20ELogsplit.pm7

1 Introduction............................................................. 1
1.1 Serial Number Location ........................................ 2
2 Safety ....................................................................... 3
2.1 General Safety ...................................................... 4
2.2 Equipment Safety Guidelines ............................... 5
2.3 Safety Training ..................................................... 6
2.4 Safety Signs ......................................................... 6
2.5 Preparation ........................................................... 7
2.6 Hydraulic Safety ................................................... 7
2.7 Operating Safety ................................................... 8
2.8 Transport Safety ................................................... 9
2.9 Storage Safety ...................................................... 9
2.10 Maintenance Safety .............................................. 9
3 Safety Sign Locations .......................................... 10
4 Operation ............................................................... 11
4.1 To the New Operator or Owner ........................... 11
4.2 Machine Components ......................................... 11
4.3 Assembly ............................................................ 12
4.4 Pre-Operation Checklist...................................... 13
4.5 Field Operation .............................................. 14-16
4.6 Vertical to Horizontal Conversion ....................... 17
4.7 Transporting ....................................................... 18
4.8 Storage ............................................................... 18
5 Service and Maintenance ..................................... 19
5.1 Service................................................................ 19
5.1.1 Fluids and Lubricants .................................................. 19
5.1.2 Greasing ...................................................................... 19
5.1.3 Servicing Intervals ....................................................... 19
5.2 Maintenance ....................................................... 20
5.2.1 Changing Seals in Valve ............................................. 20
5.3 Premature Kick-Out ............................................ 21
6 Trouble Shooting .................................................. 22
7 Specifications ....................................................... 23
7.1 Mechanical ......................................................... 23
7.2 Bolt Torque ......................................................... 24
8 Parts Breakdown .................................................. 25
8.1 Log Splitter .................................................... 25-26
8.2 Hydraulic Valve Assembly .................................. 27
8.3 Conversion-Open to Closed Center Valve ...........28
9 Limited Warranty ...................................................29
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION DESCRIPTION
PAGE

1
1 INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your choice of a 3 Point Hitch Log Splitter to complement your log splitting
operation. This equipment has been designed and manufactured to meet the needs of a discrimi-
nating buyer for the efficient splitting of logs.
The Gearmore 3-point, PTO driven Log Splitter is the latest compact designed splitter. The Log
Splitter can be used in the vertical or horizontal position.
Safe, efficient and trouble free operation of your Log Splitter requires that you and anyone else
who will be operating or maintaining the machine, read and understand the Safety, Operation,
Maintenance and Trouble Shooting information contained within the Operator's Manual.
This manual covers the 3 Point Hitch Log Splitter. Use the Table of Contents as a guide to locate
required information.
Keep this manual handy for frequent reference and to pass on to new operators or owners. Call
your dealer if you need assistance, information or additional copies of the manuals.
OPERATOR ORIENTATION - The directions left, right, front and rear, as mentioned
throughout this manual, are as seen from the driver's seat and facing in the direction of travel.

2
1.1 SERIAL NUMBER LOCATION
Always give your dealer the serial number of your 3 Point Hitch Log Splitter when ordering parts or
requesting service or other information.
The serial number plate is located where indicated. Please mark the number in the space provided for
easy reference.
Model No: _____________________________
Serial No: _____________________________
Date of Purchase: _______________________

2 SAFETY
SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL
Why is SAFETY important to you?
The Safety Alert symbol identifies
important safety messages on the
Gearmore Log Splitter and in the
manual. When you see this symbol,
be alert to the possibility of personal
injury or death. Follow the instruc-
tions in the safety message.
This Safety Alert symbol means
ATTENTION! BECOME ALERT!
YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED!
Accidents Disable and Kill
Accidents Cost
Accidents Can Be Avoided
3 Big Reasons
WARNING - Indicates a potentially hazard-
DANGER - Indicates an imminently hazardous
CAUTION - Indicates a potentially hazardous
situation that, if not avoided, may
result in minor or moderate injury.
It may also be used to alert against
unsafe practices.
ous situation that, if not avoided,
could result in death or serious
injury, and includes hazards that are
exposed when guards are removed.
It may also be used to alert against
unsafe practices.
situation that, if not avoided, will
result in death or serious injury.
This signal word is to be limited to
the most extreme situations typi-
cally for machine components
which, for functional purposes,
cannot be guarded.
SIGNAL WORDS:
Note the use of the signal words DANGER,
WARNING and CAUTION with the safety
messages. The appropriate signal word for
each message has been selected using the
following guide-lines:
If you have any questions not answered in this manual or require additional copies or the manual is
damaged, please contact your dealer.
SI NO LEE INGLES, PIDA AYUDA
A AIGUIEN QUE SI LO LEA PARA
QUE LE TRADUZCA LAS
MIDIDAS DE SEGURIDAD.
3

1. Read and understand the
Operator’s Manual and all
safety signs before operating,
maintaining, adjusting or
unplugging the Log Splitter.
4
2.1 GENERAL SAFETY
2. Have a first-aid kit available
for use should the need arise
and know how to use it.
3. Have a fire extinguisher
available for use should the
need arise and know how to
use it.
4. Wear appropriate
protective gear. This
list includes but is not
limited to:
- A hard hat
- Protective shoes
with slip resistant
soles
SAFETY
YOU are responsible for the SAFE operation and
maintenance of your 3 Point Hitch Log Splitter.
YOU must ensure that you and anyone else who is
going to operate, maintain or work around the Log
Splitter be familiar with the operating and mainte-
nance procedures and related SAFETY informa-
tion contained in this manual. This manual will take
you step-by-step through your working day and
alerts you to all good safety practices that should be
adhered to while operating the Log Splitter.
Remember, YOU are the key to safety. Good
safety practices not only protect you but also the
people around you. Make these practices a working
part of your safety program. Be certain that
EVERYONE operating this equipment is familiar
with the recommended operating and maintenance
procedures and follows all the safety precautions.
Most accidents can be prevented. Do not risk injury
or death by ignoring good safety practices.
• Log Splitter owners must give operating
instructions to operators or employees before
allowing them to operate the machine, and at
least annually thereafter per OSHA (Occupa-
tional Safety and Health Administration)
regulation 1928.57.
• The most important safety feature on this
equipment is a SAFE operator. It is the
operator’s responsibility to read and understand
ALL Safety and Operating instructions in the
manual and to follow these. Most accidents can
be avoided.
• A person who has not read and understood all
operating and safety instructions is not qualified
to operate the machine. An untrained operator
exposes himself and bystanders to possible
serious injury or death.
• Do not modify the equipment in any way.
Unauthorized modification may impair the
function and/or safety and could affect the life
of the equipment.
•Think SAFETY! Work SAFELY!
- Protective
goggles, glasses or
face shield
- Heavy gloves
- Protective clothing
5. Install and secure all guards before starting.
6. Do not allow riders.
7. Wear suitable ear protection
for prolonged exposure to
excessive noise.
8. Place all controls in neutral, stop tractor engine,
set park brake, remove ignition key and wait
for all moving parts to stop before servicing,
adjusting, repairing or unplugging.
9. Clear the area of people, especially small
children, before starting.
10. Review safety related items annually with all
personnel who will operating or maintaining
the Log Splitter.

5
2.2 EQUIPMENT SAFETY GUIDELINES
1. Safety of the operator and bystanders is one of
the main concerns in designing and developing
a machine. However, every year many acci-
dents occur which could have been avoided by
a few seconds of thought and a more careful
approach to handling equipment. You, the
operator, can avoid many accidents by
observing the following precautions in this
section. To avoid personal injury or death,
study the following precautions and insist those
working with you, or for you, follow them.
2. In order to provide a better view, certain
photographs or illustrations in this manual may
show an assembly with a safety shield removed.
However, equipment should never be operated
in this condition. Keep all shields in place. If
shield removal becomes necessary for repairs,
replace the shield prior to use.
3. Replace any safety sign or instruction sign that is
not readable or is missing. Location of such
safety signs is indicated in this manual.
4. Never use alcoholic beverages or drugs which
can hinder alertness or coordination while
operating this equipment. Consult your doctor
about operating this machine while taking
prescription medications.
5. Under no circumstances should young
children be allowed to work with this
equipment. Do not allow persons to
operate or assemble this unit until they
have read this manual and have developed
a thorough understanding of the safety
precautions and of how it works. Review
the safety instructions with all users annually.
6. This equipment is dangerous to children and
persons unfamiliar with its operation. The
operator should be a responsible, properly
trained and physically able person familiar with
farm machinery and trained in this equipment's
operations. If the elderly are assisting with
work, their physical limitations need to be
recognized and accommodated.
7. Use a tractor equipped with a Roll Over
Protective Structure (ROPS) and a seat belt.
8. Never exceed the limits of a piece of machin-
ery. If its ability to do a job, or to do so safely,
is in question - DON'T TRY IT.
9. Do not modify the equipment in any way.
Unauthorized modification may result in
serious injury or death and may impair the
function and life of the equipment.
10. In addition to the design and configuration of
this implement, including Safety Signs and
Safety Equipment, hazard control and accident
prevention are dependent upon the awareness,
concern, prudence, and proper training of
personnel involved in the operation, transport,
maintenance, and storage of the machine.
Refer also to Safety Messages and operation
instruction in each of the appropriate sections
of the Tractor and machine Manuals. Pay close
attention to the Safety Signs affixed to the
Tractor and the machine.

2.3 SAFETY TRAINING
1. Safety is a primary concern in the design and
manufacture of our products. Unfortunately,
our efforts to provide safe equipment can be
wiped out by a single careless act of an
operator or bystander.
2. In addition to the design and configuration of
equipment, hazard control and accident
prevention are dependent upon the aware-
ness, concern, prudence and proper training
of personnel involved in the operation, trans-
port, maintenance and storage of this equip-
ment.
3. It has been said, "The best
safety feature is an in-
formed, careful operator."
We ask you to be that kind
of an operator. It is the
operator's responsibility to read and under-
stand ALL Safety and Operating instructions
in the manual and to follow these. Accidents
can be avoided.
4. Working with unfamiliar equipment
can lead to careless injuries. Read this
manual, and the manual for your
tractor, before assembly or operating,
to acquaint yourself with the machines.
If this machine is used by any person
other than yourself, or is loaned or
rented, it is the machine owner's re-
sponsibility to make certain that the
operator, prior to operating:
a. Reads and understands the
operator's manuals.
b. Is instructed in safe and proper use.
5. Know your controls and how to stop tractor
engine, and machine quickly in an emer-
gency. Read this manual and the one pro-
vided with your tractor.
6. Train all new personnel and review instruc-
tions frequently with existing workers. Be
certain only a properly trained and physically
able person will operate the machinery. A
person who has not read and understood all
operating and safety instructions is not
qualified to operate the machine. An
untrained operator exposes himself and
bystanders to possible serious injury or
death. If the elderly are assisting with farm
work, their physical limitations need to be
recognized and accommodated.
2.4 SAFETY SIGNS
1. Keep safety signs clean and legible at all
times.
2. Replace safety signs that are missing or have
become illegible.
3. Replaced parts that displayed a safety sign
should also display the current sign.
4. Safety signs are available from your author-
ized Distributor or Dealer Parts Department
or the factory.
How to Install Safety Signs:
• Be sure that the installation area is clean and
dry.
• Be sure temperature is above 50°F (10°C).
• Determine exact position before you remove
the backing paper. (See Section 3).
• Remove the smallest portion of the split
backing paper.
• Align the sign over the specified area and
carefully press the small portion with the
exposed sticky backing in place.
• Slowly peel back the remaining paper and
carefully smooth the remaining portion of the
sign in place.
• Small air pockets can be pierced with a pin
and smoothed out using the piece of sign
backing paper.
6

7
2.5 PREPARATION
1. Never operate the tractor and machine until
you have read and completely understand
this manual, the Tractor Operator's Manual,
and each of the Safety Messages found on the
safety signs on the tractor and machine.
2. Personal
protection
equipment
including hard
hat, safety
glasses, safety
shoes, and
gloves are
recommended
during assem-
bly, installation, operation, adjustment,
maintaining, repairing, removal, or moving
the implement. Do not allow long hair, loose
fitting clothing or jewelry to be around
equipment.
3. PROLONGED EXPOSURE
TO LOUD NOISE MAY
CAUSE PERMANENT
HEARING LOSS!
Tractors with or without
equipment attached can often
be noisy enough to cause
permanent, partial hearing
loss. We recommend that you wear hearing
protection on a full-time basis if the noise in
the Operator's position exceeds 80db. Noise
over 85db on a long-term basis can cause
severe hearing loss. Noise over 90db adjacent
to the Operator over a long-term basis may
cause permanent, total hearing loss. NOTE:
Hearing loss from loud noise (from tractors,
chain saws, radios, and other such sources
close to the ear) is cumulative over a lifetime
without hope of natural recovery.
4. Operate the machine only with a tractor
equipped with an approved
Roll-Over-Protective
Structure (ROPS). Always
wear your seat belt. Serious
injury or even death could
result from falling off the
tractor ---particularly during
a turnover when the
operator could be pinned under the ROPS or
the tractor.
2.6 HYDRAULIC SAFETY
1. Make sure that all the components in the
hydraulic system are kept in good condition
and are clean.
2. Replace any worn, cut, abraded, flattened or
crimped hoses and metal lines.
3. Stop engine or motor, disconnect spark plug
wire or unplug power cord, and wait for all
moving parts to stop before servicing, adjust-
ing, repairing or cleaning.
4. Do not attempt any makeshift repairs to the
hydraulic lines, fittings or hoses by using
tapes, clamps or cements. The hydraulic
system operates under extremely high-
pressure. Such repairs will fail suddenly and
create a hazardous and unsafe condition.
5. Wear proper hand and
eye protection when
searching for a high-
pressure hydraulic leak.
Use a piece of wood or
cardboard as a backstop
instead of hands to
isolate and identify a
leak.
6. If injured by a concentrated high-pressure
stream of hydraulic fluid, seek medical
attention immediately. Serious infection or
toxic reaction can develop from hydraulic
fluid piercing the skin surface.
7. Before applying pressure to the system, make
sure all components are tight and that lines,
hoses and couplings are not damaged.
• Think SAFETY! Work SAFELY!
5. Clear working area of stones, branches or
hidden obstacles that might be hooked or
snagged, causing injury or damage.
6. Operate only in daylight or good artificial
light.
7. Be sure machine is properly mounted, ad-
justed and in good operating condition.
8. Ensure that all safety shielding and safety
signs are properly installed and in good
condition.

8
2.7 OPERATING SAFETY
1. Please remember it is important that you
read and heed the safety signs on the Log
Splitter. Clean or replace all safety signs if
they cannot be clearly read and understood.
They are there for your safety, as well as the
safety of others. The safe use of this machine
is strictly up to you, the operator.
2. All things with moving parts are potentially
hazardous. There is no substitute for a
cautious, safe-minded operator who recog-
nizes potential hazards and follows reason-
able safety practices. The manufacturer has
designed this Log Splitter to be used with all
its safety equipment properly attached, to
minimize the chance of accidents. Study this
manual to make sure you have all safety
equipment attached.
3. If a safety shield or guard is removed for any
reason, it must be replaced before the ma-
chine is again operated.
4. Personal protection equipment including
hard hat, safety glasses, hearing protection,
safety shoes, and tight gloves are
recommended during assembly, installation,
operation, adjustment, maintaining,
repairing, removal, or moving. Do not allow
long hair, loose fitting clothing, or jewelry to
be around moving parts.
5. Always use two people to handle heavy,
unwieldy components during assembly,
installation, removal or moving.
6. Never place any part of your body, fingers,
hands, feet, etc. where it would be in danger
if movement should occur during assembly,
installation, operation, maintaining,
repairing, removal or moving. Keep others
away.
7. Do not allow bystanders within 20 feet of
machine during operation. Wood chips can
fly out and injure others.
8. Do not step over or straddle splitter during
operation.
9. Do not try to split more than one log at a
time. The extra log can fly out and cause
injury.
10. Keep your fingers and hands away from
cracks in the log that can open while
splitting.
11. Always load logs by holding on the sides, not
the top and bottom.
12. Do not load the splitter when the wedge is in
motion.
13. Do not try to split logs across the grain.
Some kinds can burst or splinter and fly out
of machine causing injury.
14. For uneven cut logs, always place the wide
end down and the most square kind against
the splitting wedge.
15. Never use alcoholic beverages or drugs which
can hinder alertness or coordination while
operating this equipment. Consult your
doctor about operating this machine while
taking prescription medications.
16. Do not allow riders on the machine or tractor
at any time. There is no safe place for any
riders.
17. Before you operate the machine, check over
all pins, bolts, connections and hydraulic
components to be sure all are securely in
place and tight. Tighten or replace any
leaking, damaged or worn parts immediately.
18. Do not allow anyone who is not familiar with
the safety rules and operation instructions to
use this machine.
19. Never allow children to operate or be around
this machine.
20. Use stabilizer bars, adjustable sway chains,
or sway blocks on the tractor lift arms to
keep the machine from swinging side to side.
Adjust as tightly as practical for best per-
formance.
21. Do not operate on slopes or hillsides. Sloping
terrain can cause logs to roll or slip.
22. Clear the work area of objects which might
be picked up and snagged or entangled in the
machine. Do not operate on slippery, wet,
muddy or icy surfaces. Good footing prevents
slipping and tripping.