North Star M1108W User manual

1
M1108W
ITEM NUMBER:1108, 1109, 1114
SERIAL NUMBER: _____________________
Owner's Manual
Instructions for Assembly, Testing, Operation,
Servicing, & Storage
22, 30, 37-Ton Log Splitters: Outdoor hydraulic powered machine that
splits wood logs.
WARNING
READ and UNDERSTAND this manual completely before using log splitter.
All operators of this equipment must read and completely understand all safety information, operating instructions, maintenance
and storage instructions. Failure to properly operate and maintain the log splitter could result in serious injury to the operator and
bystanders from moving parts that can crush or cut, flying objects, burns, fire or explosion, escaping high pressure hydraulic fluid,
or carbon monoxide poisoning in particular, be aware of the following hazards.
Crush and Cut Hazards
Moving parts can crush and cut hands and fingers. Keep hands clear of endplate, wedge, logs, and log strippers while
splitting.
High Pressure Hydraulic Fluid Hazards
High fluid pressures and temperatures are developed in hydraulic log splitters. Hydraulic fluid escaping through even a pin-
size hole opening can puncture skin and cause severe blood poisoning. Inspect hydraulic system regularly for possible leaks.
Never check for leaks with your hand while the system is pressurized. Seek medical attention immediately if injured by
escaping fluid.
Fire Hazards
If your log splitter is intended for use near an ignitable forest, brush, or grassy covered land, the engine exhaust should be
equipped with a spark arrestor. See the "Specifications" section of this manual to determine if your splitter already has a spark
arrestor. If not equipped, call NorthStar Product Support for ordering information.
Keep a fire extinguisher with you that is rated for ordinary combustibles and flammable liquids.
STOP!
ADD OIL TO ENGINE BEFORE USING: Engine is shipped without oil. DO NOT start log splitter without first adding oil.
ADD HYDRAULIC OIL: Your log splitter was shipped without hydraulic oil. Refer to Periodic Maintenance section of this manual
for instructions on filling the hydraulic reservoir
INSPECT COMPONENTS: Closely inspect to make sure no components are missing or damaged.
See Initial Unpacking & Set-up for instructions and for whom to contact to report missing or damaged parts.
Any Questions, Comments, Problems or Parts Orders
Call NorthStar Product Support 1-800-270-0810

Hazard Signal Word Definitions
2

Table of Contents
3
About Your Log Splitter........................................................................................................... 4
Safety Label Locations............................................................................................................. 5
Machine Components Identification........................................................................................ 7
Initial Set-up............................................................................................................................. 8
Optional 4-Way Wedge Wings ................................................................................................ 10
Moving & Towing to the Job Site............................................................................................ 11
Before Each Use:
Step One: Inspection/Maintenance................................................................................. 14
Step Two: Refueling....................................................................................................... 16
Step Three: Work site Selection & Set-up .................................................................... 17
Splitting Operation ................................................................................................................... 19
Storage...................................................................................................................................... 24
Periodic Maintenance............................................................................................................... 25
Troubleshooting........................................................................................................................ 26
Specifications ........................................................................................................................... 27
Parts Breakdown –Exploded View.......................................................................................... 28
Summary of Important Safety Information for Operation ....................................................... 30
Assembly Instructions.............................................................................................................. 35
Limited Warranty..................................................................................................................... 45

About Your Log Splitter
4
Thank you for purchasing your NorthStar log splitter!
About Your Log Splitter:
This log splitter is a machine designed to split wood logs using a hydraulically powered moving wedge.
The log splitter's gasoline engine is used to pressurize the hydraulic system.
This log splitter is designed to split logs lengthwise with the grain only.
Your splitter can be used in either a vertical or horizontal splitting position:
When the splitter is set up to operate in the horizontal splitting position, a log is placed on the
horizontal beam and the wedge moves horizontally into the end of the log to split it.
When the splitter is set up to operate in the vertical splitting position, the log is placed on the
endplate, upright on its end, and the wedge moves down into the top of the log to split it.
The horizontal splitting position is used for lighter logs that can be easily loaded onto the beam. The
vertical splitting position is used for heavier logs that are difficult to load onto the beam.
The technical specifications for your log splitter are provided in the Specifications section of this
manual.
WARNING
This log splitter uses a high-pressure hydraulic system to generate a very strong splitting
force.
Read the manual completely before using the machine to understand how to safely operate
and maintain it.
Follow all safety precautions presented throughout this manual. A summary of important safety
information can be found at the end of this manual.
Contact NorthStar Product Support at 1-800-270-0810 for any questions about the appropriate
use of this log splitter and/or optional accessories.
Warranty Registration:
Please fill out and submit the warranty registration card so that we have your contact information for any
future product literature or replacement parts you may need.
Attention: All Rental Companies and Private Owners who loan this
equipment to others!
All persons to whom you rent/loan the log splitter must have access to and read this manual. Keep this owner's
manual with the splitter at all times and advise all persons who will operate the machine to read it. You must
provide instruction on how to safely operate the splitter and remain available to answer any questions a
renter/borrower might have.

Safety Label Locations
5
Reference #
Part #
Description
1
39259
Warning Decal
2
777887
Splitter Operating Instruction Decal
3
777890
Fire Hazard Warning Decal
4
777891
Hydraulic Fluid Warning Decal
5
777892
Moving/Towing Decal
6
778593
Outrigger Leg Decal
7
778597
Horizontal Lock Decal
8
778609
Control Decal
9
778610
Log Splitter Warning Decal
10
778714
Vertical Lock Decal
11
778717
Log Stripper Decal
12
786707
On/off Switch Decal
Always make sure safety labels are in good condition. If a safety label is missing or not legible, order new
labels or unsafe operation could result.

Safety Label Locations
6
PN 778714
VERTICAL
LOCK
SPLIT CONTROL LEVER OPERATION
PN 778597
HORIZONTAL
LOCK
POISONOUS GAS
This product'suse gives off carbon
monoxide, an odorless gas that can
kill you.
ONLY use outdoors and away
from air intakes.
NEVERuse inside homes, garages,
or sheds. EVEN IFyou run a fan or
open doors and windows.
See product manual for more details.
Northern Tool + Equipment Co. 1-800-270-0810
WARNING
PN 39259
Moving parts can crush and cut. Piecescan flyout while
splitting. Follow safety rules for operating the log splitteror
serious injury could result.
READ the Owner's Manual completely before operating.
Onlyone person should operate the log splitter. If an
assistant is helping to load logs, the operator should not
actuate controlsuntil the assistant is at least 10 ft away.
Stay in the designated OPERATOR POSITION while
actuating the controls.
Split wood in direction of the grain only.
Hold bark side of logs when loading.
Keep hands away from wedge, endplate/ram, and partly
split logs.
Never leave log splitter unattended during operation.
Stay off slopes and slippery surfaces.
See additional safety rules in the Owner's Manual.
WARNING
Northern Tool + Equipment Co. 1-800-270-0810 PN 778610
ESCAPING HIGH PRESSURE HYDRAULIC FLUIDHAZARD
High fluid pressures and temperatures are developed in the
hydraulic system. Hydraulic fluid escaping through even a pin-size
hole opening can puncture skin and cause blood poisoning.
Inspect hydraulic system regularly for leaks
Never check for leaks with your hand while system is pressurized.
Seek medical attention immediately if injured by escaping fluid.
Northern Tool + Equipment Co. 1-800-270-0810 PN 777891
WARNING
PINCH POINT
Keep hands clearof
wedge and
log stipper
Northern Tool & Equipment Co. 1-800-270-0810
LOG STRIPPER
RETRACT WEDGE
TO REMOVE
STUCK WOOD
* 1109 & 1114 only

Machine Component Identification
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
17
18
19
Fig 02407
20
Ref #
Description
Ref #
Description
1
2" Ball Coupler
11
Endplate
2
Horizontal Lock
12
Outrigger Legs
3
Lifting Handle
13
Engine
4
Cylinder
14
Hydraulic Tank
5
Hydraulic Oil Dipstick
15
Suction Strainer
6
Split Control Lever
17
Safety Chains
7
Control Valve
18
Vertical Lock
8
Wedge
19
Grease Zerks
9
Log Cradle
20
Drain Plug
10
Beam

Initial Set-Up
8
IMPORTANT!
Engine is shipped without oil. DO NOT start the engine before adding oil.
See Assembly Instructions section of this manual to assemble the log splitter before
set-up.
Step One:
Inspect Log
Splitter
Components.
Closely inspect all log splitter components.
(See Machine Components section of this manual for diagram of components.)
If you have missing components, contact Product Support at 1-800-270-0810.
If you have damaged components, contact the Freight Company that delivered the unit
and file a claim.
Step Two:
Add Oil to Engine
Add oil to the engine. Using a funnel. Add SAE 10W-30 oil up to the FULL mark
on the dipstick. (See engine Owner's Manual for oil capacity and location of fill cap.)
Step Three:
Add Hydraulic Oil
to Reservoir
WARNING: High fluid pressures and temperatures are developed in hydraulic log
splitters. Hydraulic fluid escaping through a pin hole sized opening can burn or
puncture skin, resulting in wounds that could cause blood poisoning, infection,
disability, gangrene, amputation, or death. Therefore, the following instructions
should be heeded at all times when inspecting or servicing the hydraulic components
of the log splitter.
NEVER check for leaks with your hand. Leaks can be located by holding a piece of
cardboard or wood (at least two feet long) with your hand at one end and passing the
other end over the suspected area (wear eye protection). Look for discoloration of the
cardboard or wood.
NEVER adjust the pressure of the pump or valve.
If injured by escaping fluid, no matter how small the wound is, see a doctor at once. A
typical injection injury may be a small wound that does not look serious. However,
severe infection or reaction can result if proper medical treatment is not administered
immediately by a doctor who is familiar with injection injuries.
1. Remove hydraulic oil dipstick.
2. Refer to the Specifications section for approximate hydraulic oil capacity.
3. Fill reservoir with 10 wt AW32, ASLE H-150, or ISO 32 oil. Use a funnel
4. Replace hydraulic oil dipstick and check that oil level reads full. Note: Do not
thread in dipstick when checking oil level.
5. Start engine and use control valve handle to extend and retract wedge 5 (five) times
to remove air from the high pressure lines.
6. With wedge retracted, check oil level again.
Oil dipstick
Hydraulic oil

Initial Set-Up
9
WARNING: NEVER remove the hydraulic oil fill cap when the engine is
running or hot. Hot oil can escape causing severe burns. Allow log splitter to
cool completely before removing hydraulic oil fill cap.
Note: If the log splitter will be run for long periods of time in outdoor temperatures
above 70F, we recommend changing the hydraulic oil to DEXTRON III.
Step Four:
Lubricate Keepers
Pump grease into grease zerks found under each keeper. This will help prevent
wear between the keepers and beam.
GREASE ZERK
KEEPER
BEAM
WEDGE

Optional 4-Way Wedge Wings
10
4-Way Wedge
Wings (optional)
Wing Assembly
1. Unbox and identify components
2. Insert Nylon nuts into hex cutouts in wing
3. Position wings into proper locations on the wedge and bolt into position using supplied
bolts
4. Tighten the bolts with a 3/8" hex wrench
4-Way Wings create additional pinch points when the wedge is moving forward or
backwards. Keep hands clear of the wedge, wedge wings, and the log while the wedge is
moving. When the log is caught on the wedge do not use the auto-return feature. Retract
wedge manually, paying close attention so the log does not hit the engine or control valve.
Pay particular attention to stringy wood, such as elm, because it becomes lodged on the
wedge easily.
To order call: Northern Tool + Equipment at 1-800-556-7885
Item # 1143
Assembled View
Exploded View