Yard-Man 31AE993I401 - Manual (Page 9)

9
• To help prevent possible freeze-up of starter,
proceed as follows.
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.
• Move throttle control to “stop” or “off” position.
• Remove ignition key. Do not turn key. Disconnect
the spark plug wire from the spark plug to prevent
accidental starting while equipment is unattended.
NOTE: Keep it in a safe place. Engine will not start
without 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 Wheel Drive
• With the engine running near top speed, move the
shift lever into one of the six FORWARD positions
or two REVERSE positions. Select a speed
appropriate for the snow conditions that exist.
NOTE: Use slower speeds in higher snow, and until
you are familiar with the operation of the snow thrower.
• Squeeze the traction control against the right
handle and the snow thrower will move. Release it
and the drive motion will stop.
IMPORTANT: NEVER move the shift lever without first
releasing the traction control. Doing so will cause
premature wear to the drive system’s friction wheel.
Wheel Steering Controls
The left and right wheel steering controls are located on
the underside of the handles.
• With the traction control engaged, squeeze the
right wheel steering control to assist in turning right;
squeeze the left control to assist in turning left.
Chute Clean-out Tool
The chute clean-out tool is conveniently fastened to the
rear of the auger housing with a mounting clip (refer to
figure 7). If the discharge chute becomes clogged
during operation, proceed as follows to safely clean the
chute and chute opening:
1. Release both the Auger Control Lever and the
Traction/Auger control Lock Lever.
2. Stop the engine by removing the ignition key.
3. Remove the clean-out tool from the clip which
secures it to the rear of the auger housing.
4. Use the shovel-shaped end of the clean-out tool to
remove any snow and ice in the discharge chute.
WARNING: Never use your hands to clear
a clogged discharge chute. Shut off engine
and remain behind handles until all moving
parts have stopped before unclogging.
5. Refasten the clean-out tool to the mounting clip on
the rear of the auger housing, re-start the engine.
6. While standing in the operator’s position (behind
the snow thrower), engage the auger clutch lever
for a few seconds to clear any remaining snow or
ice from the discharge chute before continuing to
clear snow.
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.
• In a well-ventilated area, start the snow thrower
engine as instructed earlier in this section under the
heading Starting Engine. Make sure the throttle is set
in the FAST position.
• While standing in the operator’s position (behind
the snow thrower) engage the auger.
• Allow the auger to remain engaged for
approximately ten (10) seconds before releasing
the auger control. Repeat this several times.
• With the engine running in the FAST position and
the auger control lever in the disengaged “up”
position, walk to the front of the machine.
• Confirm that the auger has completely stopped
rotating and shows NO signs of motion.
IMPORTANT: If the auger shows ANY signs of rotating,
immediately return to the operator’s position and shut
off the engine. Wait for all moving parts to stop before
readjusting the auger control cable.