Operating Tips - Craftsman 247.88855 Owner's Manual

Use slower speeds until you are familiar with the
operation of the snow thrower.
• Squeeze the traction drive clutch grip against the
right handle and the snow thrower will move.
Release it and the drive motion will stop.
To Engage Augers
• To engage augers and start snow throwing,
squeeze the left hand auger clutch grip against
the left handle. Release to stop augers.
• While the auger control is engaged, squeeze the
traction drive control to move, release to stop. Do
not shift speeds while the drive is engaged.
NOTE: This same lever also locks the auger control so
you can turn the chute crank without interrupting the
snow throwing process.
• Release the auger control; the interlock
mechanism should keep the auger control
engaged until the traction drive control is
released.
• Release the traction drive control to stop both the
augers and the track drive.
WARNING: To stop the auger, both levers
must be released.
To Throw Snow
CAUTION: Check the area to be cleared for foreign
objects. Remove, if any.
• Move weight transfer lever to the right, then
backward or forward to the desired position.
• Start the engine following Starting Instructions.
• Rotate the discharge chute to the desired
direction, away from bystanders and/or buildings.
Move the chute distance control forward or
backward to adjust the distance the snow is to be
thrown.
• Select the speed according to the snow
condition.
CAUTION: Never move the shift lever without first
releasing the drive clutch.
• Engage the auger control and traction drive
control levers following the preceding
instructions.
• The interlock feature will allow you to remove
your left hand from the auger control lever.
• When clearing the first pass through the snow,
control the traction speed of the snow thrower
according to the depth and condition of snow.
• To turn the unit left, squeeze left trigger; to turn
right, squeeze right trigger.
• On each succeeding pass, readjust the chute
deflector to the desired position and slightly
overlap the previously cleared path.
• After the area is cleared, stop the snow thrower
following instructions given below.

Operating Tips

NOTE: Allow the engine to warm up for a few minutes
as the engine will not develop full power until it
reaches operating temperature.
Warning: The temperature of muffler and
surrounding areas may exceed 150
these areas.
• For most efficient snow removal, remove snow
immediately after it falls.
• Discharge snow downwind whenever possible.
Slightly overlap each previous swath.
• Set the skid shoes 1/4" below the scraper bar for
normal usage. The skid shoes may be adjusted
upward for hard-packed snow. Adjust skid shoes
downward when using on gravel or crushed rock.
• Clean the snow thrower thoroughly after each use.
Before Stopping
• Run engine for a few minutes to help dry off any
moisture on engine.
• To avoid possible freeze-up of the starter, follow
these steps:
Recoil Starter
a. With the engine running, pull the starter rope
with a rapid, continuous full arm stroke three
or four times.
Electric Starter
a. Connect power cord to switch box, then to
120 Volt AC receptacle.
b. While the engine is running, push the starter
button and spin the starter for several
seconds.
c. Disconnect power cord from the receptacle
first, then from the snow thrower.
NOTE: The unusual sound from pulling the starter
rope in the case of the recoil starter, or from spinning
the starter in the case of the electric starter, will not
harm the engine.
To Stop The Snow Thrower
• To stop the track, release the traction drive lever
on the snow thrower.
• To stop throwing snow, release auger drive lever
and drive lever, if engaged.
• To stop the engine, push throttle control lever to
OFF and pull out the ignition key. Do not turn key.
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