MTD 31AE640F352 - Manual (Page 8)

8
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: The electric starter must be
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.
To Stop Engine
• To stop engine, remove the ignition key. Do not turn
key. Disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark
plug to prevent accidental starting while equipment
is unattended.
To prevent starter freeze-up:
• Run engine for a few minutes before stopping to
help dry off any moisture on the engine.
• Electric Starter: Connect power cord to switch box
on engine, then to 120 volt AC receptacle. With the
engine running, push starter button and spin the
starter for several seconds. The unusual sound
made by spinning the starter will not harm engine or
starter. Disconnect the power cord from receptacle
first, and then from switch box.
• Recoil Starter: With engine running, pull starter
rope with a rapid, continuous full arm stroke three
or four times. Pulling the starter rope will produce a
loud clattering sound, which is not harmful to the
engine or starter.
• Wipe all snow and moisture from the carburetor
cover in the area of the control levers. Also, move
control levers back and forth several times. Leave
throttle control lever in the STOP or OFF position.
Leave choke control in the FULL choke position.
• Remove ignition key and disconnect spark plug
wire. Do not turn key.
IMPORTANT: Do not lose the ignition key. Keep it in a
safe place. Engine will not start without the ignition key.
To Engage Drive
• With the engine running near top speed, move shift
lever into one of the five FORWARD positions or
two REVERSE positions. Select a speed
appropriate for the snow conditions that exist. Use
the slower speeds until you are familiar with the
operation of the snow thrower.
• Squeeze the auger control and the augers will turn.
Release it and the augers will stop.
• Squeeze traction control and the snow thrower will
move. Release it and unit will stop. Never move
shift lever without releasing traction control.
To Engage Augers
• To engage augers and start throwing snow,
squeeze the auger control against the left handle.
Release to stop the augers.
Auger Control Test
IMPORTANT: Perform the following test before operating
the snow thrower for the first time and at the start of
each winter season.
Check the adjustment of the auger control as follows:
• When the auger control is released and in the
disengaged “up” position, the cable should have
very little slack, but should NOT be tight.
WARNING: Do not over-tighten the cable.
Over-tightening may prevent the auger from
disengaging and compromise the safety of the
snow thrower.