Clean-Out Tool; Before Starting Engine; Starting The Engine - Craftsman 247.88999 Operator's Manual

CLEAN-OUT TOOL
Neveruseyourhandsto cleara cloggedchuteassembly.Shut
loft engineand remainbehindhandlesuntil all movingparts have
lstopped beforeusingtheclean-outtool to clearthe chuteassembly.
Thechute clean-outtool is conveniently fastenedto the rear of the
augerhousingwith a mountingclip. Shouldsnowand ice become
lodgedin thechute assemblyduringoperation,proceedas followsto
safelycleanthechute assemblyand chute opening:
1. Releaseboththe AugerControland the DriveControl.
2. Stopthe engineby removingthe ignitionkey.
3. Removethe clean-outtoolfrom the clip whichsecuresit to the
rear of the augerhousing.
4. Use the shovel-shaped end of theclean-outtool to dislodgeand
scoopany snowand icewhich hasformedin and near thechute
assembly.
5. Refastenthe clean-outtool to the mountingclip on the rear of
theauger housing,reinsertthe ignitionkey and startthe snow
thrower'sengine.
6. Whilestandingin the operator'sposition(behindthesnow
thrower),engagethe auger controlfora few secondsto clear any
remainingsnowand ice from thechute assembly.
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
Read,understand,and followall instructionsand warningson the
machineand in this manualbeforeoperating.
Oil
The unitwas shippedwith oil in the engine.Checkoil levelbeforeeach
operationto ensureadequateoil in the engine.Forfurther instructions,
referto the stepson page 16.
1. Removethe dipstickfrom the oil fill.
2. Checkand makesurethat the levelof oil is up to the FULLmark
on the dipstick.
3. If the oil levelis not up to FULL,pour fresh motoroil (5W-30,with
a minimumclassificationof SF/SG/SH/SJ)slowlythroughthe
opening.Replaceoil fill dipstickand checkoil levelagain.
Gasoline
o Storegasolinein a clean, approvedcontainerand keepthecap in
placeon the container.
• Makesurethat the containerfrom which youpour the gasolineis
cleanand freefrom rust or otherforeignparticles.
Useextremecarewhen handlinggasoline.Gasolineis extremely
flammableand thevaporsare explosive.Never fuelthe machine
indoorsor whilethe engine is hotor running.Extinguishcigarettes,
cigars,pipesand othersourcesof ignition.
Alwaysfill the fuel tank outdoorsand usea funnelor spoutto
preventspilling.
• Fillfuel tank with clean,fresh,unleadedgasolinewith a minimum
of 85 octane.Freshfuel preventsgumfrom formingin the fuel
systemor on essentialcarburetorparts.Purchasefuelin a
quantitythat can be usedwithin30 days.
• Neverfill the fuel tank completely.Fillthe tank to within 1-1/2"
from the top to providespacefor expansionof fuel.
• Makesureto wipeoff anyspilledfuel beforestartingthe engine.
STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Makecertainboththe augercontrol and drivecontrolare in the
disengaged(released)position.
2. Insertignitionkey into slot.Makesure it snapsinto place.Do not
attemptto turn the key.
NOTE: Theenginecannot startwithoutthe keyis fully insertedintothe
ignitionswitch.
Electric Starter
Determinethat yourhome'swiringis a three-wiregroundedsystem.
Ask a licensedelectricianif you are notcertain.
Theoptionalelectricstarteris equippedwith a groundedthree-wire
powercordand plug,and is designedto operateon 120volt AC
householdcurrent.It mustbe usedwith a properlygroundedthree-
prong receptacleat all timesto avoidthe possibilityof electricshock.
Followall instructionscarefullypriorto operatingthe electricstarter.
DO NOTuseelectricstarterin the rain.
If you havea groundedthree-prongreceptacle,proceedas follows:
1. Plugthe extensioncord intothe outlet locatedon the engine's
surface.Plug the otherend of extensioncord intoa three-prong
120-volt,grounded,AC outlet in a well-ventilated area.
2. Rotatechokecontrolto CHOKE I,._¢1 position.
3. Depressprimer.If it is 15°For higher pushprimertwo times, if
below 15°F, p ushprimerfour times.
14