North Star M11967I User manual

1
Owner's Manual
Instructions for Assembly, Testing, Operation, Servicing, and Storage
Log Splitter: Outdoor hydraulic 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 or 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, and logs 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 any 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 an ABC fire extinguisher with you that is rated for ordinary combustibles and flammable liquids.
STOP!
ADD OIL TO ENGINE BEFORE USING: The engine is shipped without oil. DO NOT start log splitter without first
adding oil. See instructions on p. 8.
VERIFY HYDRAULIC OIL LEVEL: Hydraulic reservoir is shipped with oil. Verify oil level is filled to “High” mark on
hydraulic tank gauge before using. See instructions on pg. 8.
PRIME THE PUMP: The pump on your log splitter needs to be primed before use. Refer to Initial Setup section for
instructions.
Any Questions, Comments, Problems or Parts Orders
Call NorthStar Product Support 1-800-270-0810
ITEM NUMBER: 11967
SERIAL NUMBER:_______________
M11967I

Hazard Signal Word Definitions
2

Table of Contents
3
About Your Log Splitter...................................................................................................................4
Attention: All Rental Companies and Private Owners who loan this equipment to others! ............4
Safety Label Locations.....................................................................................................................5
Machine Component Identification..................................................................................................7
Initial Unpacking and Set-Up...........................................................................................................8
Connecting Battery to Engine ..........................................................................................................9
Moving and Towing to the Job Site ...............................................................................................10
Before Each Use:
Step One: Inspection / Maintenance..................................................................................14
Step Two: Fueling.............................................................................................................16
Step Three: Work Site Selection.......................................................................................17
Splitting Operation.........................................................................................................................18
Storage ...........................................................................................................................................24
Periodic Maintenance.....................................................................................................................25
Troubleshooting .............................................................................................................................26
Specifications.................................................................................................................................27
Parts Breakdown –Exploded View ...............................................................................................28
Summary of Important Safety Information for Operation..............................................................30
Warranty Registration ....................................................................................................................36
California Proposition 65 Information...........................................................................................38

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 ram which pushes the
log against a splitting wedge. The log splitter's gasoline engine is used to pressurize the hydraulic system.
This log splitter is designed to split logs up to 30" long and 24" in diameter, lengthwise with the grain only. The
splitter features 1) a power log lift that assists in loading logs onto the beam for splitting, and 2) a splitting wedge that
can be adjusted to split logs into either halves, or for larger logs, quarters.
The technical specifications for your log splitter are provided on p. 27 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 the 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 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 also
provide personal instruction on how to safely operate the splitter and remain available to answer any questions a
renter/borrower might have.
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Safety Label Locations
5
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Reference #
Part Number
Description
1
777335
Warning Decal
3
Kill switch/ Wedge Control Decal
7
Lift and Split Control Decal
11
Pinch Point Warning Decal
13
Gasoline Only Decal
2
777890
Fire Hazard Warning Decal
4
777891
Hydraulic Fluid Warning Decal
5
777892
Moving/Towing Decal
6
305546
Hot Muffler Decal
8
777888
Stuck Log Warning Decal
9
777887
Splitter Operating Instruction Decal
10
788937
Decal, Poisonous Gas
12
777898
Log Lift Crush Hazard Decal
Always make sure safety labels are in place and in good condition. If a safety label is missing or not
legible, order new labels or unsafe operation could result. To order replacement safety labels, call
NorthStar Product Support at 1-800-270-0810. See table for title and part number.

Safety Label Locations
6

Machine Component Identification
7
Ref
Description
Ref
Description
1
2" Ball Coupler
13
Hydraulic Tank Fill Cap
2
Jack
14
Hydraulic Temp
Gauge/Oil Level Indicator
3
4-Way Wedge
15
Hydraulic Tank
4
Lift and Split Control
16
Engine Fuel Tank
5
Beam
17
Light Kit
6
Log Lifter
18
Engine Kill Switch
7
Ram
19
Wedge Control
8
Return Filter
20
Control Valve
9
Cylinder
21
Log Cradle
10
Pump
22
Tow Bar Leg
11
Battery Box (next to engine)
23
Safety Chains
12
Engine
24
Carbon Canister

Initial Unpacking and Set-Up
8
IMPORTANT!
Engine is shipped without oil. DO NOT start the engine before adding oil.
Step One: 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 Two: Inspect log
splitter components
Closely inspect all log splitter components.
(See Machine Components section of this manual on p. 6 for diagram of components.)
●If you have missing or damaged components, please contact Product Support at
1-800-270-0810.
Step Three: Verify
hydraulic oil level
Verify hydraulic oil level. Use following procedures:
Note: Hydraulic reservoir is shipped with oil.
1. Check hydraulic oil level:
a) Make sure engine is off and the cylinder is fully retracted.
b) Relieve all hydraulic system pressure by moving Split Control Lever back and forth
several times.
c) Verify hydraulic fluid level is filled to “High” mark on hydraulic tank gauge.
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.
2. If hydraulic oil level is low:
Add 10 wt. AW32, ASLE H-150, or ISO 32 oil to the “High” mark on tank gauge.
Note: The log splitter comes filled with LIGHT 150-ISO 32 hydraulic oil. If the
log splitter will be run for long periods of time in outdoor temperatures above
70° F, we recommend changing the hydraulic oil to DEXTRON III.
Step Four:
Prime the Pump
1. Remove the spark plug wire from the spark plug
2. Pull on the starter grip recoil at least 20 times so that hydraulic fluid has cycled
through the pump
3. Return the spark plug wire to the spark plug
4. Verify the Hydraulic oil Level, if low add fluid as necessary
Step Five: Lubricate
slide rail beam
Lubricate the surface of the slide rail beam with engine oil.
This will help prevent wear between the slide plates and beam.

Connecting Battery to Engine
9
Your log splitter's engine is equipped with an electric starter, which requires the installation of a 12-volt (or 12V) lawn
tractor size battery (Group U1-7). The battery should have a minimum rating of 18 Amp-hour (or 18Ah). The battery
is to be supplied by the customer and should be installed in the protective battery box located near the engine. Follow
the instructions below for connecting and disconnecting the battery.
WARNING
Batteries are hazardous because they contain caustic acid, can emit explosive
gases, and can cause electric shock.
Caution must be exercised when making connections to a battery to avoid shock
and contact with the acid, and to prevent any sparking that could lead to an
explosion.
ALWAYS follow the general safety rules, plus the instructions listed below in
exact sequence, when connecting/disconnecting the battery.
General battery safety rules
•ALWAYS use eye protection
•NEVER smoke or work near sparks or other sources of ignition.
•NEVER touch both battery terminals at the same time with your hand or any non-insulated tools.
•If battery acid contacts skin or clothing, flush immediately with water and neutralize with baking soda.
Instructions for connecting the battery:
WARNING: Always connect the cables in the following sequence to avoid possible shock.
1. Find the battery cables located inside the battery box.
2. Connect the red cable to the positive (+) terminal of the battery.
3. Then connect the black cable to the negative (-) terminal of the battery.
Instructions for disconnecting the battery:
WARNING: Always disconnect the cables in the following sequence to avoid possible shock.
1.First, disconnect the black cable from the negative (-) terminal of the battery.
2.Next, disconnect the red cable from the positive (+) terminal of the battery.

Moving and Towing to the Job Site
10
WARNING
The log splitter is heavy. It can crush and cause serious injury if it rolls out of control or tips over.
Follow the instructions below for safely moving and towing the log splitter.
Moving the log splitter
1. Lock log lift in UP
position
Raise the log lift to the full upright (vertical) position.
Never move log splitter when the log lift is down because the log splitter will be unbalanced
and difficult to move, and the lifter is more likely to be damaged.
2. Engine off
IMPORTANT: Make sure log splitter engine is off.
Never move the log splitter with its engine running.
3. Fuel valve off
Turn fuel valve off to prevent carburetor flooding and reduce the chance of fuel
leakage.
4. Lock leg/crank
down
Crank the jack all the way down so that it is bearing the tongue weight of the trailer
and the jack's wheel can be used to roll the splitter. (After the weight of the splitter is
shifted from the leg to the jack, the leg can either be locked in the up position or left down.)
Lock log lift in up position
Raise log lift cylinder to
up position
Crank jack to
down position
Lock tow bar leg
in down position