MechMaxx B150 Wood Chipper

Specifications

Overall Dimensions

The machine is shown from three angles: side, front, and rear. Key dimensions are indicated: Height: 57.2 inches (1453mm), Length: 108.8 inches (2764mm), Width: 47.9 inches (1217mm).

Safety Signs

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

• DANGER: General safety warnings including wearing protective gear (gloves, eye protection, hearing protection).
• WARNING: EMERGENCY STOP. Features a push-to-stop button.
• WARNING: FUELING SAFETY. Risk of fire. Allow engine to cool for 1 minute before refueling. Use unleaded petrol. UN1203.
• WARNING: INFEED CHUTE LIMIT. Do not place wood or branches over 6 inches in diameter into the in-feeding bin, as blades may get stuck or jammed. Maximum recommended diameter is 6 inches.
• DANGER: DO NOT RUN ENGINE WHILE OPEN.
• WARNING: CHECK BELT TENSION. Belt deflection should be less than 3/8 inch when 10 lbs of pressure is applied. Re-check and adjust belts after the first 1-2 hours of use and every 20 hours for best performance.

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 and maintenance, and how to avoid accidental injuries or property damage. If the unit is loaned, rented, or sold, provide this manual and safety training. The user is responsible for accidents or injuries. 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 others away from the work area. Be alert and shut off the unit if anyone enters the work area. Keep children under the watchful care of a responsible adult. Do not operate under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication that impairs judgment. 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 from thrown objects. Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields. Wear appropriate hearing protection. Always keep hands and feet away from all moving parts and pinch points. 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. Keep proper footing and balance.

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. 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. Any gasoline-powered machine not controlled by its switch is dangerous. Regularly check that keys and adjusting wrenches are removed from the machine area before starting. Avoid accidental starting; ensure the engine's switch is off before transporting or performing maintenance. If the machine vibrates abnormally, stop the engine and check for the cause.

Engine Safety

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

Fuel Safety

Gasoline is highly flammable and its vapors can explode if ignited. Take precautions to reduce the chance of serious personal injury. When refilling or draining the fuel tank, use an approved fuel storage container in a clean, well-ventilated outdoor area. 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 known fuel system leaks. Loosen the fuel tank cap slowly to relieve pressure. Never overfill the fuel tank; fill to no more than ½ inch below the filler neck for expansion. Replace fuel tank and container caps securely and wipe up spilled fuel. Never operate without the fuel cap securely in place. Avoid creating ignition sources for spilled fuel. If fuel is spilled, move the machine away from the spillage area and avoid ignition sources until vapors dissipate. Wash skin and change clothes immediately if fuel spills on you. Store fuel in approved containers in a cool, well-ventilated area, away from ignition sources. Never store fuel or a machine with fuel inside a building where fumes can reach ignition sources.

Specific Safety Rules

Identify hazards and take preventive steps to avoid accidents and minimize risk. Hazards include moving parts, thrown objects, weight of the machine, and 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 and free of debris, check oil level, ensure all nuts and bolts are tight, and check tire pressure.

Operation Safety

Never place any part of your body where it would be in danger if movement should occur. Keep all bystanders and pets at least 75 feet away. Stop the unit immediately if approached. Never place hands, feet, or any part of your body in the chipper hopper, discharge opening, or near or under any moving part while the machine is running. Keep the discharge area clear of people, animals, buildings, glass, or anything that will obstruct clear discharge. Wind can change discharge direction. Use a small-diameter stick, not your hands, to push materials into the chipper hopper.

Operation

Feeding Materials

Keep your face and body back from the chipper hopper and discharge chute to avoid injury from accidental bounce back of material. Never reach with your hands inside the feed hopper past the rubber flap while operating. Keep combustible substances away from the engine when it is hot. Do not tilt the machine while the engine is running. Never operate without the feed hopper or discharge chute properly attached.

Feed only clean materials into the machine. Foreign matter like soil, sand, grit, stones, or metal will damage cutting knives. Root balls and dead wood will dull blades quickly. Avoid feeding pine needles, flax, and cabbage tree leaves as these stringy materials can wrap around the rotor shaft and work into the bearing. Avoid feeding short, stubby pieces of wood as they tend to bounce and spin; feed these with longer pieces. Prune to suit the machine's capabilities.

This machine is self-feeding; do not force branches into the blades. Allow the machine to feed automatically. Allow time for the machine to reach high spinning revolutions before feeding the next load. It is advisable to process freshly cut materials, as dry wood becomes springy and dulls knives faster. Keep a wooden stick (approx. 1 inch diameter by 2 feet long) handy to push short, brushy, or leafy materials and keep the feed hopper clear. Do not force material; if it does not chip well, knives may need sharpening/replacement, or the gap between knives and wear plate needs adjusting. Do not overload the machine. If the engine speed decreases, stop feeding material until the engine returns to full speed. The chipper can clog with soft, wet, or fibrous materials; feed these intermittently with branches. If stringy material wraps around the rotor shaft, remove it before it works into the bearing.

Unclogging

Never allow processed material to build up in the discharge area, as this can prevent proper discharge and cause kickback. Never attempt to unclog the feed hopper or discharge chute while the engine is running. Immediately shut off the engine, allow the cutting disk to stop completely, 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 it is switched off, and wait for all moving parts to stop. Before opening the cutting disk housing, ensure the engine is off, the cutting disk is stopped, and the belt drive is disengaged.

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 the machine on public highways, roads, or thoroughfares. Always stop the engine before moving the machine and watch out for sharp objects that could pierce the tires.

Machine Use and Care

Position the machine so it cannot move during maintenance, cleaning, adjustment, or storage. Always use the correct machine for your job. Do not adjust engine governor settings or operate the engine above the recommended speed.

Maintaining Your Machine

This machine has two rotating cutting knives capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. 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 and accessories. Keep the engine and muffler free of grass, leaves, grease, or carbon build-up to reduce fire hazard. Never douse or squirt 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 the machine out of reach of children and do not allow untrained persons to operate it.

Some parts are made of plastic or rubber and should be kept away from chemicals. Never cover the machine while the muffler is still hot. Do not alter or adjust sealed parts. Only a qualified technician may adjust parts affecting governed engine speed. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, or broken/worn parts that may affect operation. Repair or replace damaged or worn parts before use.

Unpacking the Container

Illustration shows a wooden crate with red straps. Scissors are depicted cutting the straps. Text indicates to use scissors or a knife to remove straps, remove the top wooden plate, and that at least two people are needed to move the package.

Contents Supplied

Your Wood chipper comes partially assembled and contains the following:

• 1x Engine and base frame
• 1x Infeed chute
• 1x Tower bar mount
• 1x Lower discharging chute
• 1x Tow bar and Guiding wheel
• 1x 360 degree upper expulsion chute
• 1x Wheels
• 1x Battery
• 1x Axle

Verify all component and hardware quantities are correct prior to assembling the Wood chipper.

To-Scale Hardware

Hardware graphics are printed at 1:1 scale for ease of identification. Simply place the hardware over the image in the tables to verify it is the correct size.

Assembly

Axle

Attach the wheel axle to the cutter base with M14x140 hex bolts, flat washer 14, and M14 lock nuts. (See Figure 1)

Tower bar mount

Attach the tower bar mount to the base frame with M12x35 hex bolts, Spring Washer 12, and flat washer 12. (See Figure 3)

Wheels

Attach the wheels to the wheel axles with M10x25 hex bolts, M10 lock nuts, and flat washer 10. (See Figure 2)

Tow bar and Guiding wheel

Attach the tow bar to the tow bar mounts with M10x70 hex bolts, M10 lock nuts, and flat washer 10. (See Figure 4) Attach the module to the tow bar mounts with M10x80 hex bolts and pin R 12x25. (See Figure 4) Attach the wheels to the module with split pin 5x32. (See Figure 4)

Lower expulsion chute

Attach the lower expulsion chute to the cutter base using two lock catches. (See Figure 5)

360-degree upper expulsion chute

Attach the upper expulsion chute to the lower expulsion chute with an adjustable locking handle. (See Figure 6)

Battery

Attach the battery box to the wheel axle with M10x80 hex bolts, M10 lock nuts, and flat washer 10. (See Figure 7)

Infeed chute

Attach the feeding chute to the cutter base with two lock catches. (See Figure 8)

Emergency Stop

The Emergency Stop wiring is located near the engine. Connect the wires as required. The machine has two emergency-stop wires—one for the button and one for the lever. The wiring is the same for both.

Limit Switch

The limit switch wiring is located near the engine. Connect the wires as required. This machine has two limit switch circuits—one for the infeed chute and one for the discharge chute. Both are wired in the same way.

Know Your Machine

Diagram 1 shows the wood chipper with lines pointing to: Deflector, Deflector Lever, Emergency Stop, Engine, Feed chute, Battery, Wheels.

Diagram 2 shows engine components with lines pointing to: Recoil Starter Handle, Throttle Control, Choke Control, Fuel Shut-Off Valve.

Operation

Add Oil to Engine

Note: The engine is shipped without oil. Do not start the engine before adding oil. Do not overfill; check the engine oil level daily and add as needed.

1. Ensure the wood chipper is on a flat, level surface.
2. Remove the oil fill cap/dipstick and add oil up to the FULL mark. (See engine manual for oil capacity, recommended oil type, and location of the fill cap.)
3. Using a funnel, add oil up to the FULL mark on the dipstick. (See engine manual for oil capacity, oil recommendation, and location of fill cap.)

Add Gasoline to Engine

Gasoline is highly flammable and explosive. You can be burned or seriously injured when handling fuel. Use extreme care when handling gasoline.

Fill the fuel tank outdoors, never indoors. Gasoline vapors can ignite if they collect inside an enclosure. Explosion can result.

1. With the engine off and cool (at least two minutes), remove the fuel filler cap and fill the tank. (See engine manual for fuel capacity, recommended fuel type, and the location of the fuel cap.)
2. Fill the fuel tank outdoors. Gasoline vapors can ignite in enclosed spaces.
3. Reinstall and tighten the fuel cap, and clean up any spilled fuel.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT OVERFILL! This equipment and/or its engine may include evaporative emissions control system components, required to meet EPA and/or CARB regulations, that will only function properly when the fuel tank has been filled to the recommended level. Overfilling may cause permanent damage to evaporative emissions control system components. Filling to the recommended level ensures a vapor gap required to allow for fuel expansion. Pay close attention while filling the fuel tank to ensure that the recommended fuel level inside the tank is not exceeded. Use a portable gasoline container with an appropriately sized dispensing spout when filling the tank. Do not use a funnel or other device that obstructs the view of the tank filling process.

Starting Engine

1. Move the engine switch to the [ON] position.
2. Open the fuel shut-off valve.
3. Move the choke lever to the [CLOSED] position. If the engine is hot, closing the choke is not necessary.
4. Move the throttle lever slightly to the [FAST] speed.
5. Pull the recoil starter until engine compression has become difficult to pull. Let the recoil return to the home position, then pull quickly to start the engine. Repeat steps as needed. Fully open the choke and set the throttle to the [FAST] position, before operating the unit.

Rapid retraction of the starter cord (kick-back) may pull your hand and arm toward the engine, potentially resulting in broken bones, fractures, or bruises.

Operating

After the engine warms up, pull the throttle lever to accelerate engine speed. The wood chipper can process a wide variety of dry and green organic materials, including branches, stalks, vines, leaves, roots, and vegetable matter. The maximum capacity is 6-inch diameter branches, though this may vary depending on the type and hardness of the wood. Rotating the branch as you feed it into the machine can improve performance.

Feed limbs or branches through cut-end first, leaving the bushy head on. This helps guide the limb down the feed hopper and reduces spinning and bouncing of small pieces back up the feed hopper. Some side branches may require pre-cutting so that they self-feed more efficiently. It is always advisable to process freshly cut materials, as wooden branches get very hard, they become springy when dried out and can make the knives dull more quickly.

While operating the machine, keep a wooden stick handy, approximately 1 inch in diameter by 2 feet long. This stick will be useful to push in short, brushy and very leafy materials and keep the feed hopper clear. Do not force material into the machine. If it does not chip well, the chipper knives may need sharpening or to be replaced, or the gap between the knives and the wear plate needs adjusting. Do not overload the machine by feeding too much material into the feed hopper at one time. If you hear the speed of the engine decreasing, immediately stop feeding material into the machine. Do not resume feeding material until the engine has returned to full speed. The wood chipper can clog up with soft, wet, or fibrous materials. However, if you feed soft materials intermittently with branches, there should be no problem, as the wood chipper tends to clean out any residue left in the machine. If any stringy material wraps around the rotor shaft, remove it before it works its way into the bearing.

Idle Speed

Set the throttle control lever to the [SLOW] position to reduce stress on the engine when chipping is not being performed. Lowering the engine speed will help extend the life of the engine, as well as conserve fuel and reduce noise level.

Stop Engine

To stop the engine in an emergency, simply turn the engine switch to the [OFF] position. Under normal conditions, use the following procedure:

1. Move the throttle lever to the [SLOW] position.
2. Let the engine idle for one or two minutes.
3. Turn the engine switch to the [OFF] position.
4. Turn the fuel valve lever to the [OFF] position.

Sudden stopping at a high speed under a heavy load is not recommended. Engine damage may result.

Do not move the choke control to [CLOSE] to stop the engine. Backfire or engine damage may occur.

Wait until the machine completely stops. Allow the engine to completely cool. Then clean out the interior of the machine and its discharge chute.

Do not disengage the belt drive with the machine running. This will cause friction and vibration on the belt drive.

Transporting

Your wood chipper is equipped with two large pneumatic wheels for easy maneuverability. To move the unit, grip the handles and tilt the wood chipper slightly, ensuring that the oil tank cover is securely tightened beforehand.

Maintenance

Preventive Maintenance

1. Turn off the engine. The engine must be cool.
2. Keep the engine's throttle lever in its [SLOW] position and remove the spark plug wire from the spark plug and secure.
3. Inspect the general condition of the wood chipper. Check for loose screws, misalignment or binding of moving parts, cracked or broken parts, and any other condition that may affect its safe operation.
4. Remove all debris from the Wood chipper with a soft brush, vacuum, or compressed air. Then use a premium quality lightweight machine oil to lubricate all moving parts.
5. Replace the spark plug wire.

Never use a pressure washer to clean your Wood chipper. Water can penetrate tight areas of the unit and cause damage to spindles, pulleys, bearings, or the engine.

Shut down the engine, wait for all moving parts to come to a complete stop, remove the spark plug wire, and then wait five minutes before performing maintenance on the chipper.

Regular Maintenance Checklist

The service intervals shown are the maximum under normal operating conditions. Increase frequencies under extremely dirty or dusty conditions.

Grease the outside bearing

There are two bearings, one outside and the other inside the housing. The bearings are greased when they are new, but it is recommended to grease them after a couple hours of use. One or two pumps is sufficient. Be careful not to over grease. Over lubrication can damage the 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 which holds the discharge chute on the machine.
2. Slide down the fixing plate under the lock nut.
3. Open, then grease the inside bearing.

Knife and Wear Plate Inspection

Routinely inspect both the knives (for sharpness) and the wear plate (for edge condition) to ensure that your wood chipper is operating at full efficiency. Using dull knives or a rounded wear plate will decrease performance and cause excessive vibration that will damage the machine and make chipping difficult for the operator.

If the machine's cutting disk strikes a foreign object, or if the machine begins to make an unusual noise or vibrates excessively, immediately shut off the engine. Allow the cutting disk to come to a complete stop. Switch the engine to "off" to avoid any accidental start. Then perform the following steps: Inspect for damage. Repair or replace damaged parts. Check for any loose parts and tighten to ensure continued safe operation.

Knife Removal and Replacement

This Wood chipper is equipped with two chipper knives mounted on the cutting disk. When the knives get dull or show visible nicks, the machine will lose its self-feeding action and the material has to be pushed in. Often it comes out in long strips. Replace the knives by following steps:

1. Remove the feed hopper.
2. Remove the discharge chute.
3. Rotate the cutting disc until the blade can be seen from the feed hopper side.
4. Remove the bolts, nuts that fix the blade.
5. Remove the dull or damaged knives and visually inspect the cutting disk slot and knives mounting area. Make sure they are clean and that the placement knives will be able to mount flush against the cutting disk. Remount new or sharpened knives with the knife edges facing up.

If the cutting disk surface is not cleaned properly and the knives are not mounted flush on the cutting disk, the knives could crack when the hardware is tightened.

The clearance between the knives and wear plate should be approximately 0.04 inch at the position of closest to the rotor shaft and 0.12 inch at the position of farthest to the rotor shaft. They are tapered out slightly to allow for a small amount of movement in the cutting disk as it bites into the wood. Make sure that all locknuts are tightened properly. Then turn the cutting disk with a long wooden stick to make sure it rotates freely.

Be careful and wear gloves when working near the knives.

Belt Adjustment

The belt on your chipper should deflect 3/8" under three pounds of pressure as shown in Figure 1. If it doesn't, adjust per the following directions:

1. Remove belt guard.
2. Loosen engine bolts.
3. Tighten or loosen the nut until you have the correct tension as shown in Figure 1.
4. Retighten engine bolts.
5. Check alignment of the clutch with the drive pulley by placing a straight edge across both faces as shown in Figure 2. If adjustment is necessary, correct alignment by moving rotor pulley in or out on the rotor shaft. Do not make adjustment by moving the clutch on the engine shaft.
6. Replace belt guard.

Belt Replacement

1. To replace the belt, follow the belt adjustment directions above.
2. After loosening the engine bolts, remove the old belts and replace them with new ones. Always replace both belts, as they come in a matched set. This is required for proper operation.
3. Set the belt tension and alignment according to the instructions above.

NOTE: Check and re-tighten belts after initial break-in period, one hour of use.

Centrifugal Clutch Tech Tips

The shoes and springs on the clutch are normal wear items. If you notice decreased performance of the clutch, they should be checked and replaced if necessary. The clutch is designed for rugged, dependable service. It provides load-free starting and allows slippage under excessive overloading, protecting the engine. The clutch obtains power from engine RPMs; lower engagement speed and higher maintained engine speed transfer more torque. Do not operate at less than full RPMs. At engine start-up, the chipper's engine operates under no load until approximately 1,000-1,200 RPMs, at which point the centrifugal clutch engages and drives the rotor. The proper rotor speed is 2,200 RPM ± 200 RPM when the engine is at full RPM.

Do not tamper with the engine's governor setting, as it controls maximum safe operating speed and protects the engine. Over-speeding is dangerous and will cause damage. Consult your dealer for governor adjustments. Familiarize yourself with successful operating conditions and avoid those that can overload or damage the machine. Do not overload or attempt to chip material beyond recommendations; this can result in personal injury or machine damage. Learn to recognize the sound of the machine when overloaded. If the machine jams due to overloading or any other cause, stop it immediately. If the machine jams and the engine is not stopped, it can burn the belt or ruin the clutch. Operator experience determines how quickly you can successfully feed limbs. Clutch damage is costly and not covered under warranty; immediately shut off the machine if it becomes jammed.

Storage

If your Wood chipper will not be used for more than 30 days, prepare it for storage by following these steps:

1. Drain the fuel tank completely. Stale fuel has high gum content and can clog the carburetor and restrict fuel flow.
2. Start the engine and allow it to run until it stops. This ensures no fuel is left in the carburetor and helps prevent deposits from forming inside, which can damage the engine.
3. Drain the oil from the engine while it is still warm. Refill with fresh oil of the grade recommended in the engine manual.
4. Allow the engine to cool. Remove the spark plug and put 60 ml of SAE-30 high-quality engine oil into the cylinder. Pull the starter rope slowly to distribute the oil. Replace the spark plug.

Remove the spark plug and drain all oil from the cylinder before attempting to start the unit after storage.

1. Use clean cloths to clean off the outside of the Wood chipper and to keep the air vents free from obstructions.

Do not use strong detergents or petroleum based cleaners when cleaning plastic parts. Chemicals can damage plastics.

1. Store your wood chipper in an upright position in a clean, dry building with good ventilation.

Do not store your wood chipper with fuel in a non-ventilated area where fuel fumes could reach flames, sparks, pilot lights or any ignition sources. Use only approved fuel containers.

Troubleshooting