Operating Your Snow Thrower, Before Starting

SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR SNOW THROWER

Before Starting

WARNING: Read, understand, and follow all instructions and warnings on the machine and in this manual before operating.

•Check the oil level in the engine before operating; fill up if necessary. Be careful not to overfill.

•The spark plug wire was disconnected for safety. Attach spark plug wire to spark plug before starting.

Gas & Oil Fill-Up

•Check oil level and add oil if necessary. Service the engine with gasoline as instructed in the separate engine manual packed with your snow thrower.

WARNING: Use extreme care when handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Never fuel the machine indoors or while the engine is hot or running. Extinguish cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition.

To Start Engine

•Attach spark plug wire to spark plug. Make certain the metal loop on the end of the spark plug wire (inside the boot) is fastened securely over the metal tip on the spark plug. See Figure 17.

Metal Loop

on Spark

Plug Wire

Electric Starter (If equipped)

WARNING: The optional electric starter is equipped with a grounded three-wire power cord and plug, and is designed to operate on 120 volt AC household current. It must be used with a properly grounded three-prong receptacle at all times to avoid the possibility of electric shock. Follow all instructions carefully prior to operating the electric starter.

•Determine that your house wiring is a three-wire grounded system. Ask a licensed electrician if you are not certain.

•If your house wiring system is not a three-wire grounded system, do not use this electric starter under any conditions.

•If your home electrical system is grounded, but a three-hole receptacle is not available, one should be installed by a licensed electrician before using the electric starter.

•If you have a grounded three-prong receptacle, proceed as follows.

•Rotate choke knob to OFF position.

•Connect power cord to switch box on engine. Plug the other end of power cord into a three-prong 120- volt, grounded, AC receptacle.

•Push starter button to crank engine. As you crank the engine, move choke knob to FULL choke position.

•When engine starts, release starter button, and move choke gradually to OFF. If engine falters, move choke immediately to FULL and then gradually to OFF.

•When disconnecting the power cord, always unplug from the three-prong receptacle first, and then from the snow thrower.

Rubber Boot

Figure 17

•Make certain the fuel cut-off valve, if your snow thrower is so equipped, is in OPEN position.

•Make certain the auger and drive clutch levers are in the disengaged (released) position.

•Move throttle control up to FAST position. Insert ignition key into slot. Make sure it snaps into place. Do not turn key.

NOTE: Engine will not start unless ignition key is inserted into ignition slot in carburetor cover.

Recoil Starter

•Rotate choke knob to FULL choke position (cold engine start).

•If engine is warm, place choke in OFF position instead of FULL.

•Push primer button two or three times for cold engine start.

•If engine is warm, push primer button only once.

NOTE: Always cover vent hole in primer button when pushing. Additional priming may be necessary for first start if temperature is below 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

•Grasp starter handle and pull rope out slowly, until it pulls slightly harder. Let rope rewind slowly.

•Pull starter handle rapidly. Do not allow handle to snap back. Allow it to rewind slowly while keeping a firm hold on the starter handle.