After considerable use it may become worn. When it has worn almost to the edge of the housing, it can be reversed, providing additional service before requiring replacement. Replace a damaged or worn scraper bar. BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL The engine on your snow thrower has been shipped, from the factory, already filled with oil. 1. Check engine oil with snow thrower on level ground. 2. Remove oil fill cap/dipstick and wipe clean, reinsert the dipstick and screw tight, wait for a few seconds, remove and read oil level. If necessary, add oil until “FULL” mark on dipstick is reached. Do not overfill. • To change engine oil, see “TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL” in the Maintenance section of this manual. ADD GASOLINE • Fill fuel tank to bottom of tank filler neck. Do not overfill. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline. Purchase fuel in quantities that can be used within 30 WARNING: Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an open flame. CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture which leads to separation and formation of acids during storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel system of an engine while in storage. To avoid engine problems, the fuel system should be emptied before storage of 30 days or longer. Drain the gas tank, start the engine and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel next season. See Storage Instructions for additional information. Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur. ENGINE OIL FILL CAP / DIPSTICK FUEL SHUTOFF VALVE PRIMER SAFETY IGNITION KEY THROTTLECHOKE CONTROL STARTER BUTTONRECOIL STARTER HANDLE GASOLINE FILLER CAP NOTE: ALL ITEMS ARE SHOWN IN THEIR TYPICAL LOCATION. ACTUAL LOCATION MAY VARY WITH ENGINE ON YOUR UNIT. POWER CORD PLUG TO START ENGINE • Be sure fuel shut-off valve is in the OPEN position. Your snow thrower engine is equipped with both a 120 Volt A.C. electric starter and a recoil starter. The electric starter is equipped with a three-wire power cord and plug and is designed to operate on 120 Volt A.C. household current. • Be sure your house is a 120 Volt A.C. three-wire grounded system. If you are uncertain, consult a licensed electrician. WARNING: Do not use the electric starter if your house is not a 120 Volt A.C. three-wire grounded system. Serious personal injury or damage to your snow thrower could result. days to assure fuel freshness. 12 OPERATION COLD START - ELECTRIC STARTER 1. Insert safety ignition key into the ignition slot until it clicks. DO NOT turn the key. Keep the extra safety ignition key in a safe place. 2. Place throttle control in FAST position. 3. Rotate choke control to FULL position. 4. Connect the power cord to the engine. 5. Plug the other end of the power cord into a three-hole grounded 120 Volt A.C. receptacle. NOTE: Do not use primer when starting engine with the electric starter. 6. Push starter button until engine starts. IMPORTANT: Do not crank engine more than five continuous seconds between each time you try to start. Wait 5 to 10 seconds between each attempt. 7. When the engine starts, release the starter button and slowly move the choke control to the OFF position. 8. Disconnect the power cord from the receptacle first, then from the engine. Allow the engine to warm up for a few minutes. Engine will not develop full power until it has reached normal operating temperature. WARM START - ELECTRIC STARTER Follow the steps above, keeping the choke control in the OFF position. COLD START - RECOIL STARTER 1. Insert safety ignition key into the ignition slot until it clicks. DO NOT turn the key. Keep the extra safety ignition key in a safe place. 2. Place throttle control in FAST position. 3. Rotate choke control to FULL position. 4. Push the primer four (4) times if the temperature is below 15°F, or two (2) times if temperature is between 15° and 50°F. If temperature is above 50°F, priming is not necessary. NOTE: Over priming may cause flooding, preventing the engine from starting. If you do flood the engine, wait a few minutes before attempting to start and DO NOT push the primer. 5. Pull recoil starter handle quickly. Do not allow starter rope to snap back. 6. When the engine starts, release the recoil starter handle and slowly move the choke control to the OFF position. Allow the engine to warm up for a few minutes. Engine will not develop full power until it has reached normal operating temperature. WARM START - RECOIL STARTER Follow the steps above, keeping the choke in the OFF position. DO NOT push the primer. ELECTRIC STARTER 1. Connect the power cord to the engine. 2. Plug the other end of the power cord into a three-hole grounded 120 Volt A.C. receptacle. 3. While the engine is running, push starter button and spin the starter for several seconds. NOTE: The unusual sound made while ...