Craftsman 247.887000 Owner's Manual page 9

Skid Shoe
The space between the shave plate and the ground can
be adjusted. For close snow removal, place skid shoes
in the low position. Use middle or high position when
area to be cleared is uneven or on gravel surfaces.
Before Starting Engine
Engine Oil
The unit is shipped with oil in engine. Follow the steps
below before starting engine each time.
1. Remove the dipstick from the oil fill. For location of
the oil fill, see Figure 6.
2. Check and make sure that the level of oil is up to
the FULL mark on the dipstick.
3. If the oil level is not up to FULL, pour fresh oil slowly
through the plug. Replace dipstick and check oil
level again.
Gasoline
WARNING:
Since gasoline is flammable,
use caution when handling or storing it. Do not
fill fuel tank while the engine is running, when it
is hot or in an enclosed area. Keep your snow
thrower away from any open flame or an
electrical spark and do not smoke during
fueling.
Your snow thrower is
IMPORTANT:
equipped with a plastic fuel tank insert for
shipping purposes. Please discard it at
this time.
• Always use clean, fresh, unleaded
grade automotive gasoline.
• Avoid using alcohol blended fuels which can attract
moisture and damage fuel system if left in tank
during storage. See Off-Season Storage section on
page 15.
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 chute assembly has
been properly installed.
• For location of engine controls, see Figure 6 .
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:
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 and the drive
control 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. Turn fuel valve on, if so equipped.
9. Connect power cord to the switch box on engine.
10. Plug the other end of the power cord into a three-
hole, grounded 120 volt A.C. receptacle.
11. Push primer button three times,
making sure to cover vent hole
when pushing.
12. Push down on the electric starter
button until the engine starts. Do
not crank for more than 5
seconds at a time.
WARNING:
starter is possible if you continue to crank for
more than 5 seconds without a cool-down.
13. When the engine starts, release the starter button
and slowly rotate the choke to OFF position. If the
engine falters, rotate the choke to FULL and then
gradually to OFF.
8
The electric starter must be
Primer
Vent Hole
Severe damage to electric