12
OPERATION
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL (See Fig. 21)
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 Main te nance sec tion of this manual.
ADD GASOLINE (See Fig. 21)
•
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 quan ti ties that can be used within 30
days to assure fuel freshness.
WARNING: Wipe off any spilled oil or
fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline
near an open flame.
TO ADJUST SKID PLATES (See Fig. 19)
NOTE:
The wrench provided in your parts bag may be
used to adjust the skid plates.
Skid plates are located on each side of the auger housing
and adjust the clearance between the scraper bar and the
ground surface. Adjust skid plates evenly to proper height
for current surface conditions. For removal of snow in
normal con di tions, such as a paved driveway or side walk,
place skid plates in the highest position (lowest scraper
clear ance) to give a 1/8" clearance between the scraper
bar and the ground. Use a middle position if the surface
to be cleared is uneven.
NOTE:
It is not recommended to operate the snow thrower
over gravel or rocky surfaces. Objects such as gravel, rocks
or other debris, can easily be picked up and thrown by the
impeller, which can cause serious personal injury, property
dam age or damage to the snow thrower.
•
If snow thrower must be operated over gravel surface,
use extra caution and be sure skid plates are adjusted
to lowest (highest scraper clear ance) position.
1. Shut off engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.
2. Adjust skid plates by loosening the hex nuts, then mov-
ing skid plate to desired position. Be sure both plates
are adjusted evenly. Tighten securely.
SKID PLATE
LOW POSITION
(HIGH GROUND
CLEAR ANCE)
HEX
NUTS
HIGH POSITION
(LOW GROUND
CLEARANCE)
AUGER
HOUSING
FIG. 19
SCRAPER
BAR
SCRAPER BAR (See Fig. 19)
The scraper bar is not adjustable, but is reversible. After
con sid er able use it may become worn. When it has worn
almost to the edge of the housing, it can be reversed,
providing additional service before requiring replacement.
Replace a dam aged or worn scrap er bar.
TO USE DRIFT CUTTERS (See Fig. 20)
Use the drift cutters to cut through deep snowdrifts that
are higher than the front of the snow thrower.
•
Loosen adjustment nuts enough to allow drift cutter to
be raised to highest position and tighten nuts securely.
Repeat for opposite side of snow thrower.
• When not using drift cutters, loosen adjustment nuts,
lower to storage position and tighten nuts securely.
ADJUST-
MENT NUTS
STORAGE
POSITION
AUGER
HOUSING
DRIFT
CUTTER
FIG. 20
CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels (called gas o-
hol or using ethanol or methanol) can attract
moisture which leads to separation and for ma-
tion of acids dur ing storage. Acidic gas can
damage the fuel system of an engine while in
storage. To avoid engine problems, the fuel
system should be emptied be fore stor age of
30 days or longer. Empty the gas tank, start
the engine and let it run until the fuel lines
and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel next
season. See Storage In struc tions for ad di tion al
information. Never use engine or car bu re tor
cleaner products in the fuel tank or per ma nent
damage may occur.
