GS650 WOOD CHIPPER

Specifications

Overall Dimensions

The wood chipper has the following approximate dimensions: Height: 43.0" (1094mm), Length: 75.9" (1928mm), Width: 31.4" (800mm).

Safety Signs

The rating plate on your machine may include symbols that provide important product information or usage instructions. Common safety signs include:

• [DANGER] symbol indicating the need to read the operator's manual before starting and using the unit.
• [DANGER] symbol advising to keep guards in place, keep body parts away from infeed bin and discharge chute, and to shut off the engine before clearing jams.
• [DANGER] symbol indicating the need for approved safety glasses, gloves, and ear protection.
• [DANGER] symbol warning against operating on uneven ground.
• [DANGER] symbol advising to keep combustible materials away from the hot engine and muffler.
• [WARNING] symbol indicating a maximum branch diameter of 4 inches.
• [DANGER] symbol warning to keep children and others away from the work area.
• [DANGER] symbol warning to keep hands and feet away from pinch points and moving parts.

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 the Engine Manufacturer's manual. Do not attempt to operate until you fully understand how to operate and maintain the engine and avoid injuries. Provide this manual and safety training to any new user. The user is responsible for accidents. Do not force the machine; use the correct machine for your application.

Personal Safety

Do not permit children to operate this machine. Keep children, pets, and other people away from the work area. Shut off the unit if anyone enters the work area. Keep children under adult supervision. Do not operate under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or 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 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. Wear protective footwear for proper footing.

Inspect Your Machine

Check your machine before starting. Ensure guards are in place and working. Tighten all nuts and bolts. Never operate a machine in need of repair or in poor mechanical condition. Replace damaged, missing, or failed parts. Check for fuel leaks. Ensure the engine switch functions correctly. Remove keys and wrenches from the machine area before starting. Be sure the engine switch is off before transporting or performing maintenance. Stop the engine if the machine vibrates abnormally.

Engine Safety

This machine has an internal combustion engine. Do not use on or near unimproved, 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. Keep a Class B fire extinguisher handy in dry areas.

Fuel Safety

Fuel is highly flammable and its vapors can explode if ignited. Use an approved fuel storage container in a clean, well-ventilated outdoor area for refueling or draining. 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 fuel 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; leave 1/2" space 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. 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 sparks, open flames, or ignition sources. Never store fuel or the machine with fuel inside a building where fumes could reach ignition sources.

Specific Safety Rules

Identify hazards and take preventive steps to avoid accidents and minimize risk. 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. Ensure the feed hopper and cutting housing are empty and free of debris. Check the oil level, ensure all nuts and bolts are tight, and check tire pressure.

Operation Safety

Never place any part of your body where it could be endangered by movement. Keep 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 people, animals, buildings, glass, or anything that could obstruct discharge. Be aware that wind can change discharge direction. Use a small-diameter stick, not your hands, to push materials into the chipper hopper.

Feeding Materials

Keep your face and body back from the chipper hopper and discharge chute to avoid injury from accidental bounce-back. 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.

Unclogging

Never allow processed material to build up in the discharge area. 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 come to a complete stop, and then remove clogged material. Inspect for damage and check for loose parts. Always shut down the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop before leaving the operating position or removing material. Ensure the engine is off, the cutting disk is at a complete standstill, and the belt drive is disengaged before opening the cutting disk housing.

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 securely during maintenance, cleaning, adjustment, or storage. Do not force the machine; use the correct machine for your application. Do not adjust engine governor settings or operate the engine above the recommended speed. Do not run the engine at high speed when not working.

Maintaining Your Machine

Keep parts away from chemicals. Never cover the machine while the muffler is hot. Do not alter or adjust any sealed part of the wood chipper or its engine. Only a qualified service technician may adjust parts affecting governed engine speed. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, or broken/worn parts. Repair or replace damaged or worn parts before use. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained equipment.

Unpacking the Container

Use scissors or a knife to cut and remove the straps. Remove the wooden plate in the top. At least two people should hold up the package and move it from the top.

Contents Supplied

Your Wood chipper comes partially assembled and contains the following:

• 1x Lower discharging chute
• 1x Engine and base frame
• 1x Axle
• 1x Infeed chute
• 1x Wheels
• 1x Tow bar
• 1x Support feet

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 base frame using M10x80 hex bolts, 10mm flat washers, and M10 lock nuts. (See Figure 1: 8x Hex lock nut M10, 8x Hex bolt M10 X 80mm, 8x Flat washer 10).

Base Foot

Attach the support feet to the tow bar using M10x80 hex bolts, 10 mm spring washers, and M10 lock nuts. (See Figure 3: 1x Hex lock nut M10, 1x Hex bolt M10 X 80mm, 2x Flat washer 10, 1x Flat washer 8, 1x Flat washer 8).

Wheels

Attach the wheel to the axle using an M14 nut. (See Figure 2: 2x Hex lock nut M14, 2x Flat washer 14).

Lower Discharging Chute

Attach the lower discharge chute to the base frame using M8x30 hex bolts, 8 mm spring washers, and 8 mm flat washers. (See Figure 4: 4x Spring washer 8, 4x Hex bolt M8 X 30mm, 4x Flat washer 8).

Tow Bar

Attach the tow bar to the base frame using M10x25 hex bolts, M10 lock nuts, and 10 mm washers (see Figure 5: 4x Hex lock nut M10, 4x Hex bolt M10 X 25mm, 4x Flat washer 10).

Infeed Chute

Install the infeed chute onto the base frame and secure it with the two safety clasps (see Figure 6).

Emergency Stop

The Emergency Stop wiring is located near the engine. Simply connect the wires as required (see Figure 7).

Know Your Machine

Identify the following components:

• Deflector
• Deflector Lever
• Engine
• Emergency Stop
• Feed chute
• Wheels
• 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.

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.

3. Reinstall and tighten the fuel cap, and clean up any spilled fuel.

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 or green organic materials such as branches, stalks, vines, leaves, roots, and vegetable matter. The maximum capacity is 4-inch diameter branches, this can vary depending on the type and hardness of wood. Rotating the branch as you feed it into the machine will 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 into the machine 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 movement by hand. To move the unit, grip the handles and tilt the wood chipper slightly after making sure the oil tank cover is tightened.

Maintenance

Maintaining your Wood chipper will ensure long life to the machine and its components.

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 Bearings

There are two bearings, one outside and the other inside the housing. The bearings are greased when 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, as over-lubrication can damage the bearings.

Grease the outside bearing

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

Routine inspection of the knives for sharpness and wear plate for a sharp edge will 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.

Be careful and wear gloves when working near the knives.

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.

Belt Adjustment

The belt on your chipper should deflect 3/8" under three pounds of pressure as shown in fig. 1 below. 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 fig. 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 fig. 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 on your machine is designed for rugged, dependable service. However, it is important to understand the limitations of a clutch. A clutch is designed to provide load-free starting of the engine and allow slippage under excessive overloading of the driven application. These features help protect the engine from damage, such as broken crankshafts and starters.

The clutch obtains its power from engine RPMs. The lower the engagement speed and the higher the maintained engine speed, the more torque the clutch can transfer to the driven unit. Do not operate at less than full RPMs.

At engine start-up, your chipper's engine operates under no load until approximately 1950-2150 RPMs, at which point the centrifugal clutch engages and begins driving the rotor. The proper rotor speed is 2200 RPM ± 200 RPM when the engine is at full RPM.

Do not tamper with the engine's governor setting. The governor controls the maximum safe operating speed and protects the engine. Over-speeding the engine is dangerous and will cause damage to the engine and other moving parts of the machine. See your authorized dealer for engine governor adjustments.

Become familiar with successful operating conditions and avoid those that can overload or damage the machine.

Do not overload or attempt to chip material beyond the manufacturer's recommendation. Personal injury or machine damage could result.

Learn to recognize the sound of the machine when it is overloaded. If the machine becomes jammed due to overloading or any other cause, stop the machine immediately.

If the machine jams and the engine is not stopped, it can:

• Burn the belt.
• Ruin the clutch.

Only operator experience will determine how quickly you can successfully feed limbs into the machine.

Clutch damage can be costly and is not covered under warranty. For this reason, immediately shut off the machine if it becomes jammed.

Storage

If your Wood chipper will not be used for more than 30 days, follow the steps below to prepare your unit for storage:

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.

5. 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.

6. 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