PowerTek 727 Manual

Model 727/731 POWERTEK
Model 727/731 Hydraulic Feed Chipper
Operation & Maintenance Manual
PowerTek Inc.
P.O. Box 3
Lebanon, IN 46052
1-877-769-7835
5-09-12

GENERAL OPERATING RULES POWERTEK
PREPARATION RULE
1. Always inspect the chipper before and after each
use to ensure safety and optimum performance.
2. Inspect the tires, safety chains, and towing hitch for
any malfunctions. Fix or replace any parts if found
to be defective.
3. Check that the running lights and turn signals are
working properly.
4. Inspect that all decals are legible and in place.
Replace any defective decals.
5. Inspect the entire chipper for loose nuts and bolts.
Properly tighten if any are found.
6. Check all chamber bolts, blade bolts and anvil bolts.
Torque to the specified torque as mentioned later in
the manual.
7. Remove and store flywheel safety pin before starting
the unit.
8. Grease all required and marked lubrication points.
9. Check all fluid levels in the engine. Fill if required.
10. Check all belts for wear, cracking or misalignment.
Replace if required.
11. Check all belts for proper tension. If loose retighten
to proper tension.
12. Inspect clutch shoes for wear. Replace if fiber pad is
worn from shoe.
13. Inspect knives and make sure they are sharp and
properly installed. If there are round edges or nicks
that would not allow the blades to operate properly,
re-sharpen them. If the blades are cracked or
chipped replace them or they could cause serious
injury or property damage. Torque all blade bolts to
the proper torque.
14. Inspect that all hydraulic hoses are in good working
order and are not cracked, worn, or leaking.
15. Check that all safety devices and switches are
functioning properly before use.
16. Always shut chipper engine off, allow flywheel to
stop turning, disconnect the spark plug wires and
remove the key from the engine: before servicing
any part of the chipper.
17. Always insert safety pin into the flywheel before
replacing or servicing blades and anvils.
18. Read the manual from cover to cover before using
chipper.
19. Know the capabilities and limitations of the chipper
before using it.
20. THINK SAFETY!
TOWING
1. Before towing, inspect the safety latch on the hitch
coupler to make sure it is closed, latched, and pinned
to prevent premature uncoupling of chipper hitch.
2. Safety chains should be crossed under the tongue of
the chipper and hooked securely to the frame of the
towing vehicle.
3. Before towing be sure to rotate jack stand into the
transport position and make sure it is properly
secured.
4. Make sure that the person who will be towing the
chipper has been properly instructed about local and
state rules of the road and towing procedures.
5. DO NOT tow chipper faster than 45 MPH or chipper
may tip over when going around corners.
3

SAFETY POWERTEK
SAFETY RULES
DO’S
DO make sure that anyone who operates this chipper
reads and understands all operating instructions as to its
proper use and operation as well as all safety
instructions.
DO block the tires of chipper before using. DO check
engine oil level before starting. DO wipe up spilled fuel
right away from the engine and chipper before starting.
DO make sure there are no obstructions in the in feed
chute before starting the engine.
DO make sure all bolts, nuts and parts are tight before
starting.
DO make sure the discharge chute and deflector shield
are properly adjusted to dispatch chips in a safe
direction, away from pedestrians, animals, homes or
other property that could be injured or damaged.
DO keep children and pets away from the work area
while you are operating the chipper.
DO take care when chipping dead or frozen wood in
order to avoid kickback.
DO make sure that all safety decals are read and
understood before operating the chipper.
DO survey work area for any potential dangers for the
operators of equipment.
SAFETY GEAR
DO wear appropriate safety clothing. It is crucial to
protect the operator from serious injury.
DO wear eye protection (safety glasses or helmet with
safety face shield.)
DO wear hearing protection. (Ear plugs or muffs.)
DO wear gloves, heavy work shoes, and protective
clothes.
DO NOT’S
DO NOT operate the chipper alone. DO NOT allow
children to operate the chipper.
DO NOT use your feet or hands to force material into
the feed chute. Use a push stick to push smaller or stuck
branches into chute.
DO NOT ride or allow anyone else to ride on or in the
chipper.
DO NOT override any safety devices that have been
factory installed.
DO NOT operate chipper with upper chamber open.
DO NOT attempt to clear any debris from any chute or
chamber while the chipper is running. Disconnect spark
plug wires and remove the key before any clean out is
attempted.
DO NOT smoke or use any type flame or spark near the
chipper. Always refuel the engine in an open area and
with the engine shut off or the fuel may explode causing
serious injury or property damage.
DO NOT use the chipper under the influence of alcohol
or drugs or you may cause serious injury to yourself or
someone else.
DO NOT for any reason, reach into feed area or
chamber while chipper is running or serious injury or
death can result.
DO NOT wear loose clothing that may become
entangled in brush or machinery or serious injury or
death may occur.
DO NOT wear any strings on clothing that may become
entangled in brush or machinery or serious injury or
death may occur.
DO NOT wear any jewelry that may become entangled
in the brush or machinery or serious injury or death may
occur.
4

WORK ZONE POWERTEK
! !WARNING !!
When operating this unit do not allow anyone to be in the danger
zone while chipper is running or serious injury may occur.
5

ON SITE SETUP POWERTEK
JACK STAND
Once at your destination the chipper can be uncoupled
from or left attached to the towing vehicle. In either
case, the weight should be transferred from the vehicle
by lowering the jack stand. The wheels should be
blocked front & back as a safety precaution or
machine may move causing damage to property or
bodily harm. (See Fig. 2)
(Fig. 2)
ENGINE
Check the level of engine crankcase oil. If necessary,
add oil following the instructions in the maintenance
section of engine manual.
Check air filters for excessive dirt and oil and clean as
required following the instructions in the maintenance
section of engine manual.
DISCHARGE CHUTE
Loosen the discharge chute clamp and rotate the chute
to the desired position. Then tighten the chute clamp
to lock it into place. (See Fig. 3)
(Fig. 3)
!!CAUTION: !!
Make sure discharge chute is directed
away from pedestrians, homes, or other
potential safety hazards or injury or
property damage may occur.
7

OPERATION POWERTEK
STARTING GAS ENGINE
Set the throttle to idle speed. If the engine is cold set the
choke, then turn the key to “START” position. If the
engine does not start within 10 seconds allow a 60 second
cool down period between attempts. When the engine
starts let the key return to “RUN” position.
Allow the engine to warm up at an idle speed, for 30
seconds then open the throttle. As the centrifugal clutch
engages the flywheel will gradually come up to speed, the
process should take 30-35 seconds. Run the engine at full
RPMS.
Important! If engine is allowed to idle for long periods,
clutch damage will occur.
FEEDING MATERIAL
When feeding material into the hopper avoid pieces larger
than 7” in diameter or limbs that are not easily handled.
Stand to either side of the intake and feed limbs and
branches large end first.
If brush tends to hang in hopper alternate with small
branches and limbs, do not attempt to push brush into the
cutter by hand.
If the flywheel speed slows, stop feeding until unit regains
momentum. If speed is not regained shut the unit down by
putting feed bar in neutral and turning key to the off
position and inspect for clogging in the chute and flywheel
chambers as described in following section. Also check
the automatic feed control system to see if it is operating
properly.
CLEARING OUT DEBRIS
!!WARNING !!
Always shut down the unit and wait for all moving parts
to fully stop before clearing or adjusting the discharge
chute, flywheel or feedbox. Remove key from engine
before clearing machine and remove wires from spark
plug.
To clear the discharge chute: Remove the chute clamp,
take the chute off, and clear out any debris.
To clear the flywheel housing: First rotate the chute
around until it is pointing away from the chipper and is
parallel to the flywheel. Then remove the lock nut from
the housing with a 1 1/16” box wrench and tilt the chute
back slowly. (See Fig. 4) Check the housing and clear out
any debris.
(Fig. 4)
STOPPING
Always allow the chipper to run at full speed for a few
minutes before shutting down to clear chips so machine is
clean for next use. Do not leave any chips in chipper
because they may cause a hazard on the next start up.
Turn key to the “off” position while at full throttle. An
electronic fuel shut off will automatically stop fuel from
entering engine. Allow flywheel to stop turning before
working on the chipper. As a safety precaution always
remove the key before working on the machine or leaving
it unattended.
EMERGENCY STOP SWITCH
An emergency stop switch is supplied with this unit. The
red safety button is located at the top of the feed hopper.
Push the button to shut the chipper down. When button is
pushed the engine and feed roller will stop. The engine
will not restart until button is reset.
8

OPERATION POWERTEK
STARTING HYDRAULIC FEED
When chipping always run the engine at full throttle. Auto
feed will not work at a lower RPM.
When the control bar is in the upright position it is in
neutral and the feed rollers should not be turning.
To engage the feed roller, pull the bar towards you. Now
you may start feeding brush into the hopper. To reverse
the feed roller, push the control bar away from you. (See
Fig. 5)
The hydraulic feed system will not work unless engine is
running 3100 rpm.
(Fig. 5)
9