Mechmaxx GS1500 Wood Chipper Operator's Manual

SPECIFICATIONS

OVERALL DIMENSIONS

Diagram showing the overall dimensions of the wood chipper. The measurements are: Length: 103.3 inches (2625mm), Width: 46.0 inches (1170mm), Height: 56.0 inches (1423mm).

SAFETY SIGNS

The rating plate on your machine may show symbols. These represent important information about the product or instructions on its use.

• FUEL HERE. RISK OF FIRE. ALLOW ENGINE TO COOL FOR 1 MINUTE BEFORE REFUELING. USE UNLEADED PETROL.
• UN1203 (Flammable Liquid)
• Belt tension check: Deflection should be less than 10mm when 4kg of pressure is applied. Belts may loosen after initial use and require re-checking and adjustment every 20 hours for best performance.
• DO NOT place wood or branches over 5 inches in diameter into the in-feeding bin. Blades may get stuck or jammed.
• BREATHING IN CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES CAN KILL YOU! Engine exhaust fumes contain Carbon Monoxide, a poisonous gas. NEVER use inside a building or in an area with poor ventilation, or in confined spaces like garages, vehicles, boats, or tents. ONLY use outside and far away from windows, doors, and vents. Read the user manual before operating.

SAFETY

GENERAL SAFETY RULES

Read this manual and labels affixed to the machine to understand its limitations and potential hazards. Be thoroughly familiar with the controls and their proper operation. Know how to stop the machine and disengage the controls quickly. Read and understand all instructions and safety precautions in the Engine Manufacturer's manual. Do not operate until you fully understand proper operation, maintenance, and how to avoid injuries or damage. Provide this manual and safety training to any new user. The user is responsible for accidents or injuries to themselves, others, and property. Always use the correct machine for your job; forcing it may cause damage.

PERSONAL SAFETY

Do not permit children to operate this machine. Keep children, pets, and other people away from the work area. Be alert and shut off the unit if anyone enters the work area. Keep children under adult supervision. Do not operate while under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or impairing medication. Dress properly: wear heavy long pants, boots, and gloves. Do not wear loose clothing, short pants, or jewelry. Secure long hair above shoulder level. Keep hair, clothing, and gloves away from moving parts. Protect eyes, face, and head with safety goggles or glasses with side shields. Wear appropriate hearing protection. Always keep hands and feet away from all moving parts and pinch points during operation. Do not touch hot parts; allow them to cool before maintenance. Stay alert, watch what you are doing, and use common sense. Do not overreach. Do not operate barefoot or in sandals; wear protective footwear. Maintain proper footing and balance at all times.

INSPECT YOUR MACHINE

Check your machine before starting. Keep guards in place and in working order. Ensure all nuts, bolts, etc., are securely tightened. Never operate a machine in need of repair or in poor mechanical condition. Replace damaged, missing, or failed parts before use. Check for fuel leaks. Keep the machine in safe working condition. Do not use if the engine switch does not turn it on or off. Regularly check that keys and adjusting wrenches are removed from the machine area before starting. Avoid accidental starting: ensure the engine switch is OFF before transporting or performing maintenance. If the machine vibrates abnormally, stop the engine and check for the cause immediately.

ENGINE SAFETY

This machine has an internal combustion engine. Do not use on or near forest-covered or brush-covered land unless the exhaust system has a spark arrester. Never start or run the engine inside a closed area due to dangerous carbon monoxide fumes. Operate only in a well-ventilated outdoor area. Do not tamper with the engine to run it at excessive speeds; maximum speed is preset by the manufacturer. Keep a Class B fire extinguisher on hand when operating in dry areas.

FUEL SAFETY

Fuel is highly flammable. Take precautions when using. Refill or drain the fuel tank in a clean, well-ventilated outdoor area using an approved container. Do not smoke or allow sparks, open flames, or other ignition sources near the area. Never fill the fuel tank indoors. Keep grounded conductive objects away from exposed electrical parts to avoid sparking. Always stop the engine and allow it to cool before filling the fuel tank. Never remove the cap or add fuel while the engine is running or hot. Do not operate with fuel system leaks. Loosen the fuel tank cap slowly to relieve pressure. Never overfill; fill to no more than 1/4 inch below the filler neck for expansion space. Replace all fuel tank and container caps securely and wipe up spilled fuel. Never operate without the fuel cap securely in place. If fuel is spilled, do not start the engine; move the machine away and avoid ignition sources until vapors dissipate. Wash skin and change clothes immediately if fuel is spilled on you. Store fuel in approved containers in a cool, well-ventilated area, safely away from ignition sources. Never store fuel or a machine with fuel in a building where fumes can reach ignition sources.

SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES

Identify hazards and take preventive steps. Possible hazards include moving parts, thrown objects, machine weight, and the operating environment.

PRIOR TO STARTING

Thoroughly inspect the work area, keeping it clean and free of debris. Operate on flat, level ground. Before starting: ensure the feed hopper and cutting housing are empty, check oil level, verify all nuts and bolts are tight, and check tire air pressure.

OPERATION SAFETY

Never place any part of your body where it could be in danger from movement during assembly, installation, operation, maintenance, repair, or moving. Keep all bystanders and pets at least 75 feet away. Stop the unit immediately if approached. Never place hands, feet, or any body part in the chipper hopper, discharge opening, or near moving parts while the machine is running. Keep the discharge area clear of obstructions. Use a small-diameter stick, not your hands, to push materials into the hopper. Keep your face and body back from the chipper hopper and discharge chute to avoid injury from accidental bounce-back. Never reach inside the feed hopper past the rubber flap while operating. Keep combustible substances away from a hot engine. Do not tilt the machine while the engine is running. Never operate without the feed hopper or discharge chute properly attached.

UNCLOGGING

Never allow processed material to build up in the discharge area. Immediately shut off the engine, wait for the cutting disk to stop completely, and then remove clogged material. Inspect for damage and check for loose parts. Whenever leaving the operating position or removing material, always shut down the engine, ensure the switch is OFF, and wait for all moving parts to stop. Before opening the cutting disk housing, ensure the engine is OFF, the cutting disk is at a standstill, and the belt drive is disengaged.

FEEDING MATERIALS

Feed only clean materials. Foreign matter like soil, sand, grit, stones, or metal will damage knives. Root balls and dead wood also dull blades quickly. Avoid feeding pine needles, flax, and cabbage tree leaves, as stringy materials can wrap around the rotor shaft and damage bearings. Avoid feeding short, stubby pieces alone; feed them with longer pieces. Prune to suit machine capabilities.

MOVING

Move the machine at least 10 feet away from the refueling point before starting the engine. This wood chipper is for movement by hand only. Never attempt to tow on public highways. Always stop the engine before moving the machine and watch out for sharp objects that could pierce tires.

MACHINE USE AND CARE

Position the machine securely during maintenance, cleaning, adjustment, assembly, or storage. Use the correct machine for the job. Do not adjust engine governor settings or operate above recommended speed. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts; the two cutting knives can amputate limbs. Keep hands and feet out of openings while the machine is running. Avoid contact with hot fuel, oil, exhaust fumes, and hot surfaces. Allow the engine to cool before maintenance. If the machine makes unusual noise or vibrates, shut off the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire, and check for the cause. Use only manufacturer-approved attachments. Keep the engine and muffler free of debris to reduce fire hazards. Never douse the unit with water. Keep handles dry, clean, and free from debris. Clean after each use. Observe proper disposal laws for gas, oil, etc. Store out of reach of children and do not allow untrained persons to operate it.

MAINTAINING YOUR MACHINE

Some parts are plastic or rubber and should be kept away from chemicals. Never cover the machine while the muffler is hot. Do not alter or adjust sealed parts; only qualified technicians may adjust governor settings. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, and broken or worn parts. Repair or replace damaged or worn parts before use, as poorly maintained equipment causes accidents.

PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

1. Turn off the engine and ensure it is cool. 2. Set throttle to SLOW, remove and secure the spark plug wire. 3. Inspect general condition: check for loose screws, misalignment, binding, cracks, or other safety-affecting conditions. 4. Remove debris with a brush, vacuum, or compressed air. Lubricate moving parts with premium lightweight machine oil. 5. Replace the spark plug wire. Never use a pressure washer. Shut down the engine, wait for all moving parts to stop, remove the spark plug wire, and wait five minutes before performing maintenance.

REGULAR MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST

Service intervals are maximums; increase frequency in dirty/dusty conditions.

GREASE THE OUTSIDE BEARING

There are two bearings. Grease them after a couple hours of use. One or two pumps is sufficient; over-greasing can damage bearings.

1. Open the plastic oil plug.
2. Grease the outside bearing through the filling hole.
3. Close the plastic oil plug.

GREASE THE INSIDE BEARING

1. Loosen the lock nut holding the discharge chute.
2. Slide down the fixing plate under the lock nut.
3. Open, then grease the inside bearing.

KNIFE AND WEAR PLATE INSPECTION

Routinely inspect knives for sharpness and wear plate for edge condition. Dull knives or rounded wear plates decrease performance, cause vibration, and make chipping difficult. If the cutting disk strikes a foreign object, or if the machine makes unusual noise or vibrates excessively, immediately shut off the engine, allow the disk to stop, switch the engine to OFF, and then inspect for damage, repair/replace parts, and tighten loose parts.

KNIFE REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT

The chipper has two knives on the cutting disk. Replace them when dull or nicked, as this reduces self-feeding action. Steps: 1. Remove the feed hopper. 2. Remove the discharge chute. 3. Rotate the cutting disk to view the blade from the feed hopper side. 4. Remove the bolts and nuts fixing the blade. Wear gloves when working near knives. 5. Remove dull/damaged knives; inspect and clean the cutting disk slot and mounting area. Mount new or sharpened knives with edges facing up. Ensure knives mount flush; improper seating can cause cracking when hardware is tightened. The clearance between knives and wear plate should be approximately 0.04 inch at the closest point to the rotor shaft and 0.12 inch at the farthest point. They are tapered slightly to allow for movement. Ensure all locknuts are tightened properly. Turn the cutting disk with a long wooden stick to ensure it rotates freely.

BELT ADJUSTMENT

Belt deflection should be 3/8" under three pounds of pressure. If not, adjust as follows: 1. Remove belt guard. 2. Loosen engine bolts. 3. Tighten or loosen the nut for correct tension. 4. Retighten engine bolts. 5. Check alignment of the clutch with the drive pulley using a straight edge. Correct alignment by moving the rotor pulley; do not move the clutch on the engine shaft. Replace belt guard.

BELT REPLACEMENT

Follow belt adjustment directions. After loosening engine bolts, remove old belts and replace with new ones; always replace both belts as a matched set. Set belt tension and alignment. Check and re-tighten belts after the initial break-in period (one hour of use).

CENTRIFUGAL CLUTCH TECH TIPS

Clutch shoes and springs are wear items. Check and replace if performance decreases. The clutch provides load-free engine starting and allows slippage under excessive load, protecting the engine. Power is from engine RPMs; lower engagement speed and higher maintained RPMs transfer more torque. Do not operate at less than full RPMs. The engine starts under no load until approximately 1400-1600 RPMs, when the clutch engages. Proper rotor speed is 2000-2200 RPMs at full engine RPM. Do not tamper with the engine's governor setting; it controls maximum safe operating speed and protects the engine. Over-speeding is dangerous and causes damage. Become familiar with successful operating conditions and avoid overloading. Do not overload or chip material beyond recommendations. Learn to recognize overload sounds; stop the machine immediately if jammed. Jamming can burn belts or ruin the clutch. Clutch damage is costly and not covered by warranty.

STORAGE

If the Wood chipper will not be used for more than 30 days, prepare it for storage as follows: 1. Drain the fuel tank completely to prevent gumming in the carburetor. 2. Start the engine and let it run until it stops to ensure the carburetor is empty. 3. Drain engine oil while warm; refill with fresh, recommended oil. 4. Allow the engine to cool. Remove the spark plug and put 60 ml of SAE-30 engine oil into the cylinder. Pull the starter rope slowly to distribute oil. Replace the spark plug. (Remove spark plug and drain cylinder oil before starting after storage.) 5. Clean the outside of the chipper with clean cloths and keep air vents clear. Do not use strong detergents or petroleum-based cleaners on plastic parts. 6. Store the chipper upright in a clean, dry, well-ventilated building. Do not store with fuel in a non-ventilated area near ignition sources; use only approved fuel containers.

TROUBLESHOOTING