MTD 615 - Manual (Page 11)

11
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 house 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.
• Move engine speed control to “Fast” position and
set Choke Control to “Full” position.
• Push Primer three (3) times, making sure to cover
vent hole when pushing.
• 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.
• 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.
Recoil Starter
• Rotate choke knob to FULL choke position (cold
engine start). If engine is warm, place choke in OFF
position instead of FULL.
• Push primer button two or three times for cold
engine start. If engine is warm, push primer button
only once.
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.
• 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.
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 (If equipped)
• 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 engine or starter.
• To stop engine, move throttle control to “stop” or
“off” position.
• 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.
NOTE: Do not lose ignition key. Keep it in a safe place.
Engine will not start without the ignition key.
• 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.
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 grip and the augers will
turn. Release it and the augers will stop.
• Squeeze traction control grip and the snow thrower
will move.
• Release traction control grip and drive motion will
stop.
IMPORTANT: Never move shift lever without releasing
drive clutch.
To Engage Augers
• To engage the augers and start throwing snow,
squeeze the auger control grip 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.