Swisher LS5527S User manual

Read and follow all Safety
Precautions and Instructions
before operating this
equipment.
LOG
SPLITTER
O NER’S
MANUAL
1602 CORPORATE DRIVE, ARRENSBURG, MISSOURI 64093 PHONE [phone]
FAX [phone]
MODEL NO.
LS5527S
STARTING SERIAL #:
L205-165001
Manufacturing quality lawn care equipment since 1945
Safety
Assembly
Operation
Service and Adjustment
Repair Parts
Made In The
USA
IMPORTANT
swisherinc.com
11261
Rev.

2
In the event you have a clai under this warranty, you ust return the product to an authorized service dealer.
All transportation charges, da age, or loss incurred during transportation of parts sub itted for replace ent or
repair under this warranty shall be borne by the purchaser. Should you have any questions concerning this
warranty, please contact us toll-free at 1-800-222-8183. The odel nu ber, serial nu ber, date of purchase,
and the na e of the authorized Swisher dealer fro who you purchased the splitter will be needed before any
warranty clai can be processed.
THIS ARRANTY DOES NOT APPLY TO ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES AND ANY IMPLIED ARRANTIES ARE LIMITED TO THE SAME TIME PERIODS
STATED HEREIN FOR ALL EXPRESSED ARRANTIES. So e states do not allow the li itation of
consequential da ages or li itations on how long an i plied warranty ay last, so the above li itations or
exclusions ay not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you ay have other rights,
which vary fro state-to-state. This is a li ited warranty as defined by the Magnuson-Moss Act of 1975.
LIMITED ARRANTY
The anufacturer’s warranty to the original consu er purchaser is: This product is free fro defects in
aterials and work anship for a period of two (2) year fro the date of purchase by the original consu er
purchaser. We will repair or replace, at our discretion, parts found to be defective due to aterials or
work anship. This warranty is subject to the following li itations and exclusions:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WARRANTY………………....….2
SAFETY..……………………….3-4
TOWING..….……..……………..5
OPERATION……………………6-8
MAINTENANCE.…………………….8
DECALS…..………….……………….9
PARTS BREAKDOWN…………….10-13
SPECIFICATIONS..…………………15
1) Engine Warranty All engines utilized on our products have a separate warranty extended
to the by the individual engine anufacturer. Any engine service
difficulty is the responsibility of the engine anufacturer and in no
way is Swisher Mower Co., Inc. or its agents responsible for the engine
warranty. The Briggs & Stratton Engine Service Hot-Line is 1-800-
233-3723. The Tecu seh Engine Service Hot-Line is 1-800-558-5402.
2) Co ercial Use The warranty period for any product used for co ercial or rental is
li ited to ninety (90) days fro the date of original purchase.
3) Li itation This warranty applies only to products which have been properly
asse bled, adjusted, and operated in accordance with the instructions
contained within this anual. This warranty does not apply to any
product of Swisher Mower Co., Inc., that has been subject to alteration,
isuse, abuse, i proper asse bly or installation, shipping da age, or
to nor al wear of product.
4) Exclusions Excluded fro this warranty are nor al wear, nor al adjust ents, and
nor al aintenance. The pu p, valve, and cylinder each carry separate
anufacture’s warranties. The valve and cylinder both carry a one (1) year
li ited warranty. The pu p carries a two (2) year li ited warranty.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
ARNING: The engine exhaust fro this product contains che icals known to the state of
California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive har .
DANGER: Your log splitter was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in
this anual. As with any type of power equip ent, carelessness or error on the part of the
operator can result in serious injury. If you violate any of these rules, you ay cause serious
injury to yourself or others.
• Read the anual. Learn to operate this equip ent in a safe anner.
• Do not under any circu stances alter this log splitter. This equip ent was designed and
engineered in accordance with operating instructions. Altering this equip ent, or using
this equip ent in such a way as to circu vent its design capabilities and capacities, could
result in serious injury or fatality and WILL VOID THE WARRANTY.
• Allow only responsible adults who have read this anual to operate this achine. Never
allow children to operate this achine.
• Never use splitter for any other purpose than splitting wood. Any other use can result in
injury. Your splitter is a precision piece of power equip ent, not a toy. Therefore,
exercise extre e caution at all ti es.
• Only a single operator is to load and operate the log splitter. Keep all others, including
pets and children, a ini u of 20 feet away fro your work area. More accidents
occur when ore than one person operates the log splitter than any other ti e.
• Always disconnect the spark plug wire and place the wire where it cannot contact the
spark plug, to prevent accidental starting the engine when setting up, transporting,
adjusting or repairing.
• Always wear protective gear such as safety goggles, protective hearing device, steel-toed
shoes, and tight-fitting gloves without drawstrings or loose cuffs.
• Never wear loose clothing or jewelry that can be caught by oving parts of the splitter
and pull you into it. Keep hair away fro oving parts.
• Fa iliarize yourself with all of the controls in a safe environ ent before starting to work
with this achine.
This Safety Alert Symbol indicates important messages in this manual.
hen you see this symbol, carefully read the message that follows and be
alert to the possibility of personal injury.
Read this manual completely. This machine can amputate hands, feet, and throw objects.
Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
3

Fluid escaping fro a very s all hole can be al ost invisible. Do not check for leaks with your
hand. Escaping fluid under pressure can have sufficient force to penetrate skin, causing serious
personal injury. Leaks can be located by passing a piece of
cardboard or wood over the suspected
leak and looking for discoloration. IF injured by escaping fluid, see a doctor at once. Serious
infection or reaction can develop if proper medical treatment is not administered
immediately.
• Split only one log at a ti e. Never atte pt to split two logs on top of each other.
• Do not straddle or reach across the splitting area while operating the splitter.
• Do not step over splitter when the engine is running. You ay trip or accidentally
activate the splitting wedge. Walk around to get to the other side.
•
Never place hands or feet between log and splitting wedge or between log and ra during
forward or reverse stroke.
• Never atte pt to load splitter while splitting wedge is in otion. When loading log
splitter, place hands on the sides of the log, not the ends.
• Only use your hands to operate the control lever. Never use foot, knee, rope or any
extension device.
• Always keep fingers clear of splits that open in log during splitter operation.
• When splitter is in the return ode, keep hands off the achine.
•
Only operate splitter on level ground, not on the side of a hill. It could tip or rolling logs,
poor footing, etc. could cause an accident.
• Never operate or allow so eone to operate this equip ent while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
• Always block the wheels to prevent ove ent while using splitter.
• Never operate your splitter on wet, uddy, or icy surfaces. Safe footing is essential in
preventing accidents.
• Never operate your splitter while it is attached to the tow vehicle.
• Never ake adjust ents or repairs with the engine running.
• Never atte pt to split woods across the grain. So e types of wood ay burst or fly out
of your splitter and result in injury.
• Both ends of the log should be cut as squarely as possible to prevent the log fro sliding
out of the splitter during operation. Log length should be kept to 24” or less.
4

TO ING SAFETY
• Do not allow persons to ride on splitter. Do not carry any cargo or wood on your
splitter. It ay fall off and endanger vehicles that are following you.
• Be sure support leg is in the travel position and coupling secure. This ust also
be retracted so not to interfere while towing. Retract support leg by re oving
pin, sliding up, and replacing pin.
• Never exceed 45 MPH while towing your splitter. Be extra cautious when
traveling over rough terrain, especially over railroad tracks.
• Always be careful while backing your splitter. You could jackknife your log
splitter if not careful.
• Before using splitter, disconnect it fro tow vehicle. A log could easily be
pushed forward into the vehicle.
• See tire and wheel specifications for PSI while towing.
• Be aware of the extra length of splitter while turning, parking, crossing
intersections, and in all driving situations.
•
OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS
POSI-LOCK COUPLER
ADJUST COUPLER LOCKING PRESSURE ON BALL BEFORE USE. PLACE HANDLE IN LOCKED
POSITION WITH BALL IN COUPLER. TIGHTEN LOCKNUT AGAINST TENSION SPRING SO THAT
COUPLER IS NOT LOOSE ON BALL. CORRECT ADJUSTMENT WILL ALLOW HANDLE TO BE
RELEASED WITH MODERATE PRESSURE APPLIED TO HANDLE.
TO OPEN, PULL UP ON COUPLER HANDLE AND ROTATE FORWARD. PLACE COUPLER ON BALL
WHEN BALL IS COMPLETELY NESTED IN BALL SOCKET, ROTATE COUPLER HANDLE
BACKWARD UNTIL HANDLE IS IN LOCKED POSITION.
AFTER TOWING FOR 50 MILES, CHECK COUPLER FOR TIGHTNESS ON BALL. ALWAYS CHECK
TIGHTNESS BEFORE TOWING. BE SURE COUPLER HANDLE IS IN LOCKED POSITION.
WARNING:
NEVER EXCEED WEIGHT CAPACITY AND ALWAYS USE SAFETY CHAINS. ALWAYS USE
CORRECT BALL SIZE, MAKING SURE BALL IS COMPLETELY INSERTED INTO COUPLER. LOCK
COUPLER HANDLE SECURELY BEFORE TOWING. ALWAYS CHECK FOR DAMAGES AND
REPLACE IF DAMAGED. AVOID SHARP TURNS AND STEEP VERTICAL ANGLES WHEN TOWING.
5

OPERATION
Intended use: This log splitter is intended and designed to only split wood. NEVER use
for any other purposes. Doing so can cause injury or VOID THE WARRANTY.
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
This log splitter has been partially asse bled at the factor
y. Refer to the drawings and part
lists should it beco e necessary to disasse ble the unit for repair or replace ent of parts.
Inspect all co ponents for da age.
ARNING: Exercise extre e caution, as parts are very heavy. Sufficient persons or
echanical handling equip ent should be used.
IMPORTANT: This unit is shipped with oil but without gasoline in the engine. After
asse bly, see separate Engine Manual for proper fuel and oil reco endations.
FILLING THE HYDRAULIC RESERVOIR
Fill the hydraulic reservoir with at least 13 ½ Quarts of Dextron III Auto atic
Trans ission fluid or 10W AW hydraulic fluid. After the hydraulic reservoir and the
engine crankcase are filled correctly with their respective oils, start the engine. Re e ber
to set the throttle and turn on the fuel shut-off valve. The hydraulic pu p should pri e
itself. With the engine running, ove the hydraulic valve lever toward the wedge. This
will cause the cylinder to extend and expel air. When the cylinder is fully extended, retract
it
. Repeat this procedure several ti es. An erratic ove ent of the cylinder indicates that
there is still air in the syste . More oil should then be added to bring the fluid level up to
approxi ately 1” below the fill hole. After adding ore oil to fill the tank, cycle the
cylinder again until it has a constant speed indicating that all air has been expelled. Check
the oil level in the reservoir again. These odels require approx. 21-
22 Quarts of hydraulic
fluid.
NOTE: If the tank is overfilled, it will tend to expel oil fro the breather cap when the
cylinder is retracted.
START UP
ARNING: DO NOT START OR RUN THE LOG SPLITTER ITHOUT OIL IN
THE ENGINE AND HYDRAULIC RESERVOIR.
See separate Engine Manual for fuel and oil reco endations. Your log splitter has co e
equipped with a fuel shut-off valve for towing purposes.
Before starting engine ake sure crankcase is filled correctly with oil and the proper fuel
has been used. The engine will only start when the throttle lever and fuel shut-off
valve are
turned to their ON positions.
COLD EATHER START UP
The Cold Weather Clutch enables the engine to be started without having to pull through
cold, thickened hydraulic fluid. Si ply pull the handle out into locked position. Start
engine, let it war up, and release Cold Weather Clutch. After starting, assure that the
lever has reengaged.
6

OPERATION
TO ING
This unit should not be towed on any street, highway, or public road without checking the existing
federal, local, and state laws. Any licensing or odifications such as taillights, etc., need to co ply
with existing federal, local, or s
tate vehicle require ents is the sole responsibility of the purchaser.
Obey all regulations when towing on public roads and highways. See also TO ING SAFETY.
Be sure you are using the correct ball hitch size for the hitch coupler on the log splitter (2” ball).
Be sure safety chains are properly connected. Leave enough slack in chains for turning. See
TO ING SAFETY to read warnings about coupling.
Make sure bea attach ent is locked in the horizontal position. NEVER tow splitter in the vertical
position.
Turn the fuel shut-off valve OFF to prevent flooding of the engine while traveling.
TO ING AT NIGHT
The require ents for taillights are based on States regulations. So e states allow towing at night
as long as the towed equip ent does not visibly i pair the tow vehicle taillights. This is based on
a state, to state require ents. The custo er is responsible for eeting the states require ents.
If a “Statement of Origin” is required in your state, see your local dealer to receive one.
OPERATION
1. Set up the log splitter in a clear, level area and block the wheels. The suction port on the
tank should always be on the lower side of the log splitter.
2. Place a log on the bea , against the foot plate. Make sure the log is securely on the foot
plate and up against the bea .
3. Depress the valve lever so that the cylinder will drive the wedge into the log. Extend the
cylinder until the log splits or to the end of its stroke. If the log has not co pletely split
after the cylinder has reached the end of its extension, retract the cylinder. NOTE:
Leaving the valve in the “actuate” position at the end of the stroke ay da age the
pu p.
OPERATING POSITIONS
WARNING: THE LOG SPLITTER BEAM IS HEAVY AND CAN PINCH HANDS/FINGERS IF
CARE IS NOT TAKEN.
STANDARD HORIZONTAL TO VERTICAL
The Standard Splitter has 2 operating positions: Horizontal, Vertical.
Re ove pin fro below bea . Do not re ove bolt and nut. Rotate bea into vertical position and
pin so bea cannot fall into horizontal position.
DO NOT TO IN VERTICAL POSITION!
IMPORTANT: When operating splitter in wooded areas, obtain a spark arrestor for the exhaust
syste . See your local engine dealer.
When preparing logs, cut ends as square as possible. The axi u length of any logs should be
only 24”.
7

MAINTENANCE & STORAGE
ARNING: Disconnect spark plug before perfor ing any aintenance or aking adjust ents.
RESERVOIR FLUID
Check the hydraulic fluid level in the reservoir tank before each use. Operating without an adequate oil
supply will cause severe da age to the pu p. Change the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir per
anufacturers reco endations.
Be aware of the environment when disposing of used petroleum products. Please dispose of used
hydraulic fluid, engine oil and any by products from the maintenance of your log splitter at
approved recycling centers.
Should it beco e necessary to loosen or re ove any hydraulic fitting or line, be sure to re ove all
pressure by shutting off the engine and oving the control handle back and forth several ti es.
NEVER remove the cap from the hydraulic tan or reservoir while your unit is running. Hot oil
under pressure will cause injury.
Always store gasoline in an approved, tightly sealed container. Store container in a dry, cool place. Keep
fuel away fro gas appliances where fu es could contact open fla e, pilot lights or sparks.
Do not operate your splitter in poor echanical condition or when needing repair. Repair and replace
worn or broken parts i ediately.
Periodically tighten nuts, bolts, and hydraulic fittings.
The
hydraulic syste of your log splitter requires careful inspection, along with the echanical parts. Be
sure to replace frayed, kinked, or otherwise da aged hydraulic co ponents.
The pressure relief valve on the splitter is preset at the factory. Do not adjust valve. Only a qualified
service technician should perfor this adjust ent.
If the wedge beco es dull or nicked, it can be re oved and sharpened. The wedge is heavy and ay still
have sharp edges, wear gloves while handling the wedge.
REPAIR PARTS
Your Swisher Log Splitter has been produced with co ponents designed specifically to this achine.
Although standard springs, hardware, etc. ay look si ilar to parts used on other achinery, they ay in
so e cases be ade of a different construction and/or aterials.
8

9
OD12 – HYDRAULIC FILL PLUG
DECAL
OD09 – DANGER/POSITION LOCK
DECAL
OD08 – OPERATOR INSTRUCTION
DECAL
OD16 – FUEL SHUT OFF DECAL OD07 – COLD EATHER DECAL
SAFETY DECALS
Replace decals i ediately if da aged.