Craftsman 247.8819 operating instructions Operation, Maintenance & Storage

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Operation

•Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts, in the auger/impeller housing or chute assembly. Contact with the rotating parts can amputate hands and feet.

•The auger/impeller control lever is a safety device. Never bypass its operation. Doing so makes the machine unsafe and may cause personal injury.

•The control levers must operate easily in both directions and automati- cally return to the disengaged position when released.

•Never operate with a missing or damaged chute assembly. Keep all safety devices in place and working.

•Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.

•Do not operate machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

•Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do not touch.

•Exercise extreme caution when operating on or crossing gravel surfaces. Stay alert for hidden hazards or traffic.

•Exercise caution when changing direction and while operating on slopes.

•Plan your snow-throwing pattern to avoid discharge towards windows, walls, cars etc. Thus, avoiding possible property damage or personal injury caused by a ricochet.

•Never direct discharge at children, bystanders and pets or allow anyone in front of the machine.

•Do not overload machine capacity by attempting to clear snow at too fast of a rate.

•Never operate this machine without good visibility or light. Always be sure of your footing and keep a firm hold on the handles. Walk, never run.

•Disengage power to the auger/impeller when transporting or not in use.

•Never operate machine at high transport speeds on slippery surfaces. Look down and behind and use care when backing up.

•If the machine should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire and ground it against the engine. Inspect thoroughly for damage. Repair any damage before starting and operat- ing.

•Disengage all control levers and stop engine before you leave the operating position (behind the handles). Wait until the auger/impeller comes to a complete stop before unclogging the chute assembly, making any adjustments, or inspections.

•Never put your hand in the discharge or collector openings. Always use the clean-out tool provided to unclog the discharge opening. Do not unclog chute assembly while engine is running. Shut off engine and remain behind handles until all moving parts have stopped before unclogging.

•Use only attachments and accessories approved by the manufacturer (e.g. wheel weights, tire chains, cabs etc.).

•If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use care and good judgment. Contact your Sears Service Center for assistance.

Maintenance & Storage

•Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly. Refer to the maintenance and adjustment sections of this manual.

•Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting machine disengage all control levers and stop the engine. Wait until the auger/impeller come to a complete stop. Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground against the engine to prevent unintended starting.

•Check bolts and screws for proper tightness at frequent intervals to keep the machine in safe working condition. Also, visually inspect machine for any damage.

•Do not change the engine governor setting or over-speed the engine. The governor controls the maximum safe operating speed of the engine.

•Snow thrower shave plates and skid shoes are subject to wear and damage. For your safety protection, frequently check all components and replace with original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) parts only. “Use of parts which do not meet the original equipment specifications may lead to improper performance and compromise safety!”

•Check controls periodically to verify they engage and disengage properly and adjust, if necessary. Refer to the adjustment section in this operator’s manual for instructions.

•Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as necessary.

•Observe proper disposal laws and regulations for gas, oil, etc. to protect the environment.

•Prior to storing, run machine a few minutes to clear snow from machine and prevent freeze up of auger/impeller.

•Never store the machine or fuel container inside where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light such as a water heater, furnace, clothes dryer etc.

•Always refer to the operator’s manual for proper instructions on off-season storage.

Do not modify engine

To avoid serious injury or death, do not modify engine in any way. Tampering with the governor setting can lead to a runaway engine and cause it to operate at unsafe speeds. Never tamper with factory setting of engine governor.

Notice Regarding Emissions

Engines which are certified to comply with California and federal EPA emission regulations for SORE (Small Off Road Equipment) are certified to operate on regular unleaded gasoline, and may include the following emission control sys- tems: Engine Modification (EM) and Three Way Catalyst (TWC) if so equipped.