Craftsman 247.88890 Owner's Manual page 10

CAUTION: Never use engine or carburetor cleaner
products in the fuel tank.
• Fill the fuel tank outdoors and use a funnel or spout
to prevent spilling. The gasoline container should
be clean and free of rust or other foreign particles.
• Never fill the fuel tank completely. Fill the tank to
within 1/4"-1/2" from the top to provide space for
expansion of fuel.
• Wipe off any spilled fuel before starting the engine.
To Start Engine
WARNING:
Be sure no one other than the
operator is standing near the snow thrower
while starting or operating. Do not operate this
snow thrower unless the discharge chute
assembly has been properly installed.
• For location of engine controls, see engine manual.
A. Electric Starter
The snow thrower engine is equipped with a 120 volt
A.C. electric starter and recoil starter. The electric
starter is equipped with a three-wire power cord and
plug and is designed to operate on 120 volt AC
household current.
Cold Start
1. Determine whether your house wiring is a three-
wire grounded system. Ask a licensed electrician if
you are not certain.
WARNING:
The electric starter must be
properly grounded at all times to avoid the
possibility of electric shock to the operator. If
your house wiring system is not a three-wire
grounded system, do not use this electric starter
under any conditions.
2. If your house wiring system is grounded and a
three-hole receptacle is not available at the point
the snow thrower starter will normally be used, one
should be installed by a licensed electrician.
NOTE: When connecting the power cord, always
connect cord to starter on engine first, then plug the
other end into a three-hole grounded 120 Volt
receptacle. When disconnecting the power cord,
always unplug the end from the three-hole, grounded
receptacle first.
3. Attach spark plug wire to spark plug.
4. Make sure that the auger control bail and the drive
control bail are disengaged.
5. Remove the keys from the plastic bag. Push key
into the ignition slot. Do not turn the key. Keep
second key in a safe place.
6. Move the choke knob to FULL choke position.
7. Move throttle control to the FAST position.
8. Connect power cord to the switch box on engine.
9. Plug the other end of the power cord into a three-
hole, grounded 120 volt A.C. receptacle.
10. Push primer button three times,
making sure to cover vent hole
when pushing.
11. Push down on the electric starter
button until the engine starts. Do
not crank for more than 20
seconds at a time. Allow the
starter to cool down before cranking again.
WARNING:
starter is possible if you continue to crank for
more than 20 seconds without a cool-down.
12. When engine starts, release the starter button and
slowly rotate choke to OFF position. If the engine
falters, rotate choke to FULL and then to OFF.
NOTE: When engaging the electric starter, a slight
hesitation of a few seconds may occur before the
engine starts to turn. This is normal.
13. Disconnect the power cord from the receptacle first
and then from the switch box on the engine.
14. Allow the engine to warm up for a few minutes
because the engine will not develop full power until
it reaches operating temperature. Operate at FULL
throttle when throwing snow.
Warm Start
If restarting a warm engine, rotate choke to OFF
instead of FULL and press the starter button. Do not
push the primer button.
B. Recoil Starter
Make sure that the auger control bail and the drive
control bail are released.
Cold Start
1. Move throttle control to FAST position.
2. Push key into the ignition slot so that it snaps into
place. Do not turn key. Remove plastic bag and
keep the second key in a safe place.
3. Rotate choke control to FULL choke position.
4. Push primer button while covering
the vent hole. Remove your finger
from the primer between primes.
Do not prime if temperature is
o
above 50 F. Prime two times
when temperature is between
50°F and 15°F and four times
below 15°F.
5. Pull the starter handle rapidly. Do not allow the
handle to snap back, but allow it to rewind slowly
while keeping a firm hold on the starter handle.
6. As the engine warms up and begins to operate
evenly, rotate the choke knob slowly to OFF
position. If the engine falters, return to FULL choke,
then slowly move to OFF choke position.
10
Primer
Vent Hole
Severe damage to electric
Primer
Vent Hole