MTD 642E - Manual (Page 12)

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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
• Run engine for a few minutes before stopping to
help dry off any moisture on the engine.
• To help prevent possible freeze-up of starter,
proceed as follows.
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 it and drive motion will stop.
• 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 your 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. It should NOT be tight.
• 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
re-adjusting the auger control.
• To readjust the control cable, loosen the hex jam
nut on the auger control cable “Z” fitting.
• Rotate the coupling end of the cable
counterclockwise to provide more slack.
• Retighten the hex jam nut. See Figure 15.
• Repeat Auger Control Test to verify proper
adjustment has been achieved.
Figure 15
Z
Hex Nut
Cable Should
Be Straight