Craftsman 944.528398 owner manual To Start Engine, Before Stopping

OPERATION

TO START ENGINE

Your snow thrower engine is equipped with both a 120 Volt A.C. electric starter and a recoil starter. The electric starter

is equipped with a three-wire power cord and plug and is designed to operate on 120 Volt A.C. household current.

•Be sure your house is a 120 Volt A.C. three-wire

grounded system. If you are uncertain, consult a licensed electrician.

WARNING: Do not use the electric

&starter if your house is not a 120 Volt A.C. three-wire grounded system. Seri-

ous personal injury or damage to your snow thrower could result.

COLD START - ELECTRIC STARTER

1.Insert safety ignition key (tied to recoil start cord) into ignition slot until it clicks. DO NOT turn the key. Keep the extra safety ignition key in a safe place.

2.Place throttle control in "FAST" position.

3.Place ON / OFF switch in "ON" position.

4.Rotate choke control to "FULl" position.

5.Connect the power cord to the engine.

6.Plug the other end of the power cord into a three-hole grounded 120 Volt A.C. receptacle.

NOTE: Do not use primer when starting engine with the electric starter.

7.Push starter button until engine starts.

iMPORTANT: Do not crank engine more than five continu- ous seconds between each time you try to start. Wait 5 to 10 seconds between each attempt.

8.When the engine starts, release the starter button and slowly move the choke control to the "OFF" position.

9.Disconnect the power cord from the receptacle first, then from the engine.

Allow the engine to warm up for a few minutes. Engine will not develop full power until it has reached normal operat- ing temperature.

WARM START - ELECTRIC STARTER

Follow the steps above, keeping the choke control in the "OFF" position.

COLD START - RECOIL STARTER

1.Insert safety ignition key (tied to recoil start cord) into ignition slot until it clicks. DO NOT turn the key. Keep the extra safety ignition key in a safe place.

2.Place throttle control in "FAST" position.

3.Place ON / OFF switch in "ON" position.

4.Rotate choke control to "FULl" position.

5.Push the primer four (4) times if the temperature is below 15°F, or two (2) times if temperature is between 15° and 50°R If temperature is above 50°F, priming is not necessary.

NOTE: Over priming may cause flooding, preventing the engine from starting. If you do flood the engine, wait a few minutes before attempting to start and DO NOT push the primer.

6.Pull recoil starter handle quickly. Do not allow starter rope to snap back.

7.When the engine starts, release the recoil starter handle and slowly move the choke control to the "OFF" posi- tion.

Allow the engine to warm up for afew minutes. Engine will not develop full power until it has reached normal operat- ing temperature.

WARM START- RECOIL STARTER

Follow the steps above, keeping the choke in the "OFF" position. DO NOT push the primer.

BEFORE STOPPING

Run the engine for a few minutes to help dry off any mois- ture on the engine.

iF RECOIL STARTER HAS FROZEN

If the recoil starter has frozen and will not turn the engine, proceed as follows:

1.Grasp the recoil starter handle and slowly pull as much rope out of the starter as possible.

2.Release the recoil starter handle and let it snap back against the starter.

If the engine still fails to start, repeat the above steps or use the electric starter.

SNOW THROWING TIPS

•Always operate the snow thrower with the engine at full throttle. Full throttle offers the best performance.

•Go slower in deep, freezing or heavy wet snow. Use the drive speed control, NOT the throttle, to adjust speed.

•It is easier and more efficient to remove snow imme- diately after it falls.

•The best time to remove snow is the early morning. At this time the snow is usually dry and has not been ex- posed to the direct sun and warming temperatures.

•Slightly overlap each successive path to ensure all snow will be removed.

eThrow snow downwind whenever possible.

eAdjust the skid plates to proper height for current snow conditions. See "TO ADJUST SKID PLATES" in this section of this manual.

•For extremely heavy snow, reduce the width of snow removal by overlapping previous path and moving slowly.

•Keep engine clean and clear of snow during use. This will help air flow and extend engine life.

•After snow-throwing is completed, allow engine to runfor a few minutes to melt snow and ice off the engine.

•Clean the entire snow thrower thoroughly after each use and wipe dry so it is ready for next use.

WARNING: Do not operate snow

visibility. Throwing snow during a throwerheavy, windyif weathersnowstormconditionscan blindimpair you and be hazardous to the safe operation of the snow thrower.

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