Craftsman 247.88955 Operator's Manual page 4

Safe Handling of Gasoline
To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme care in
handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are
explosive. Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is spilled
on yourself or your clothes which can ignite. Wash your skin and
change clothes immediately.
• Use only an approved gasoline container.
• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources
of ignition.
• Never fuel machine indoors.
• Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is hot
or running.
• Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling.
• Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than ½ inch
below bottom of filler neck to provide space for fuel
expansion.
• Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
• If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and equipment.
Move machine to another area. Wait 5 minutes before
starting the engine.
• Never store the machine or fuel container inside where
there is an open flame, spark or pilot light (e.g. furnace,
water heater, space heater, clothes dryer etc.).
• Allow machine to cool at least 5 minutes before storing.
• Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or trailer
bed with a plastic liner. Always place containers on the
ground away from your vehicle before filling.
• If possible, remove gas-powered equipment from the truck
or trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not possible,
then refuel such equipment on a trailer with a portable
container, rather than from a gasoline dispenser nozzle.
• Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or
container opening at all times until fueling is complete. Do
not use a nozzle lock-open device.
oPeration
• Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts, in the auger/impeller
housing or chute assembly. Contact with the rotating parts can
amputate hands and feet.
• The auger/impeller control lever is a safety device. Never bypass
its operation. Doing so makes the machine unsafe and may cause
personal injury.
• The control levers must operate easily in both directions and
automatically return to the disengaged position when released.
• Never operate with a missing or damaged chute assembly. Keep
all safety devices in place and working.
• Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area. Engine
exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.
• Do not operate machine while under the influence of alcohol or
drugs.
• Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do not
touch. Keep children away.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
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4
Exercise extreme caution when operating on or crossing gravel
surfaces. Stay alert for hidden hazards or traffic.
Exercise caution when changing direction and while operating on
slopes.
Plan your snow-throwing pattern to avoid discharge towards
windows, walls, cars etc. Thus, avoiding possible property
damage or personal injury caused by a ricochet.
Never direct discharge at children, bystanders and pets or allow
anyone in front of the machine.
Do not overload machine capacity by attempting to clear snow at
too fast of a rate.
Never operate this machine without good visibility or light. Always
be sure of your footing and keep a firm hold on the handles. Walk,
never run.
Disengage power to the auger/impeller when transporting or not
in use.
Never operate machine at high transport speeds on slippery
surfaces. Look down and behind and use care when backing up.
If the machine should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the engine,
disconnect the spark plug wire and ground it against the engine.
Inspect thoroughly for damage. Repair any damage before
starting and operating.
Disengage all control levers and stop engine before you leave
the operating position (behind the handles). Wait until the auger/
impeller comes to a complete stop before unclogging the chute
assembly, making any adjustments, or inspections.
Never put your hand in the discharge or collector openings.
Always use the clean-out tool provided to unclog the discharge
opening. Do not unclog chute assembly while engine is running.
Shut off engine and remain behind handles until all moving parts
have stopped before unclogging.
Use only attachments and accessories approved by the manufac-
turer (e.g. wheel weights, tire chains, cabs etc.).
When starting engine, pull cord slowly until resistance is felt, then
pull rapidly. Rapid retraction of starter cord (kickback) will pull
hand and arm toward engine faster than you can let go. Broken
bones, fractures, bruises or sprains could result.
If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use care
and good judgment. Contact Customer Support for assistance
and the name of your nearest servicing dealer.