Poulan 96198002601, 428701 owner manual Before Starting the Engine

OPERATION

TO ADJUST SKID PLATES (See Fig. 16)
	WARNING: Wipe off any spilled oil or
NOTE: The wrench provided in your parts bag may be
	fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline
used to adjust the skid plates.	near an open flame.
Skid plates are located on each side of the auger housing
and adjust the clearance between the scraper bar and the
	CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels (called gaso-
ground surface. Adjust skid plates evenly to proper height
for current surface conditions. For removal of snow in	hol or using ethanol or methanol) can attract
normal conditions, such as a paved driveway or sidewalk,	moisture which leads to separation and forma-
place skid plates in the highest position (lowest scraper	tion of acids during storage. Acidic gas can
	damage the fuel system of an engine while in
clearance) to give a 1/8" clearance between the scraper
	storage. To avoid engine problems, the fuel
bar and the ground. Use a middle position if the surface
	system should be emptied before storage of
to be cleared is uneven.
	30 days or longer. Empty the gas tank, start
NOTE: It is not recommended to operate the snow thrower
	the engine and let it run until the fuel lines
over gravel or rocky surfaces. Objects such as gravel, rocks	and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel next
or other debris, can easily be picked up and thrown by the	season. See Storage Instructions for additional
impeller, which can cause serious personal injury, property	information. Never use engine or carburetor
damage or damage to the snow thrower.	cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent
• If snow thrower must be operated over gravel surface,	damage may occur.
use extra caution and be sure skid plates are adjusted

to lowest (highest scraper clearance) position.
	ON / OFF	RECOIL (AUXILIARY)
1. Shut off engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.
		STARTER HANDLE
	SWITCH

2. Adjust skid plates by loosening the hex nuts, then mov-			GASOLINE
ing skid plate to desired position. Be sure both plates			FILLER CAP
are adjusted evenly. Tighten securely.		CHOKE	ENGINE OIL FILL
			CAP / DIPSTICK
HIGH POSITION		CON-
		TROL
(LOW GROUND
CLEARANCE)			STARTER
	AUGER		BUTTON
	HOUSING
SCRAPER BAR
HEX	SKID PLATE
NUTS		SAFETY
LOW POSITION (HIGH GROUND CLEARANCE)		IGNITION
		KEY
FIG. 16		PRIMER
SCRAPER BAR (See Fig. 16)
			POWER
The scraper bar is not adjustable, but is reversible. After
			CORD
considerable use it may become worn. When it has worn		FUEL SHUT-OFF VALVE	PLUG

almost to the edge of the housing, it can be reversed,	NOTE: ALL ITEMS ARE SHOWN IN THEIR TYPICAL LOCATION.
providing additional service before requiring replacement.
	ACTUAL LOCATION MAY VARY WITH ENGINE ON YOUR UNIT.
Replace a damaged or worn scraper bar.
	FIG. 17

BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE

CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL (See Fig. 17)

The engine on your snow thrower has been shipped, from the factory, already filled with oil.

1.Check engine oil with snow thrower on level ground.

2.Remove oil fill cap/dipstick and wipe clean, reinsert the dipstick and screw tight, wait for a few seconds, remove and read oil level. If necessary, add oil until “FULL” mark on dipstick is reached. Do not overfill.

•To change engine oil, see “TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL” in the Maintenance section of this manual.

ADD GASOLINE (See Fig. 17)

•Fill fuel tank to bottom of tank filler neck. Do not over- fill. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline. Purchase fuel in quantities that can be used within 30

days to assure fuel freshness. 11