Operating Your Snow Thrower - MTD 640 Operator's Manual

SECTION 4: OPERATING YOUR SNOW THROWER
Before Starting
WARNING:
all instructions and warnings on the machine
and in this manual before operating.
• The spark plug wire was disconnected for safety.
Attach spark plug wire to spark plug before starting.
Gas And Oil Fill-up
WARNING:
handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely
flammable and the vapors are explosive.
Never fuel machine indoor or while the
engine is hot
cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of
ignition.
• A plastic cup was provided inside the fuel fill
opening on the fuel tank. Remove and discard this
cup before filling up the tank. Use the separate fuel
tank cap to close after fill-up.
Starting Engine
• Attach spark plug wire to spark plug. Make certain
the metal loop on end of the spark plug wire (inside
the boot) is fastened securely over the metal tip on
the spark plug. See Figure 8.
Metal Loop
Figure 8
• Make sure the fuel shut-off valve, if so equipped, is
in the OPEN (vertical) position.
• Make certain the auger and traction controls are in
the disengaged (released) position.
• Move throttle control up to FAST position. Insert
ignition key into slot. Be certain it snaps into place.
Do not turn key. See Figure 7.
NOTE: Engine will not start unless ignition key is
inserted into ignition slot in carburetor cover. Do not
turn ignition key.
Recoil Starter:
• Rotate choke knob to FULL choke position (cold
engine start).
• If engine is warm, place choke in OFF position
instead of FULL.
Read, understand, and follow
Use extreme care when
or running. Extinguish
Rubber Boot
• Push primer button three or four times for cold
engine start.
• If engine is warm, push primer button once only.
NOTE: Always cover vent hole in primer button when
pushing. Additional priming may be necessary for first
start if temperature is below 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Grasp starter handle and pull rope out slowly, until it
pulls slightly harder. Let rope rewind slowly.
• Pull starter handle rapidly. Do not allow handle to
snap back. Allow it to rewind slowly while keeping a
firm hold on the starter handle.
• Repeat step above until engine starts.
• As engine warms up and begins to operate evenly,
rotate choke knob slowly to OFF position. If engine
falters, return to FULL choke, then slowly move to
OFF position.
Electric Starter
The electric starter is equipped with a grounded three-
wire power cord and plug, and is designed to operate
on 120 volt AC household current.
WARNING:
used with a properly grounded three-prong
receptacle at all times to avoid possibility of
electric shock. Follow all instructions carefully
to operate the electric starter.
• Determine that your house wiring is a three-wire
grounded system. Ask a licensed electrician if you
are not certain.
• If your home wiring system is not a three-wire
grounded system, do not use this electric starter
under any conditions.
• If your home electrical system is grounded, but
a three-hole receptacle is not available, one should
be installed by a licensed electrician before using
the electric starter.
• If you have a grounded three-prong receptacle,
proceed as follows.
• Rotate choke knob to OFF position.
• Connect power cord to switch box on engine. Plug
the other end of power cord into a three-prong 120-
volt, grounded, AC receptacle.
• Push starter button to crank engine. As you crank
the engine, move choke knob to FULL choke
position.
• When engine starts, release starter button, and
move choke gradually to OFF. If engine falters,
move choke immediately to FULL and then
gradually to OFF.
• When disconnecting the power cord, always unplug
from the three-prong receptacle first, and then from
the snow thrower.
8
The electric starter must be