Craftsman 536886150 Owner’s Manual

CRRFTSMRN ®

5.5 Horsepower OHV

26 Inch Dual Stage
120V. Electric Start

SNOWTHROWER

MODEL NO.

536.886150

Caution:

Read and follow all Safety
Rules and Operating

Instructions before first use
of this product.

SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO., Hoffman Estates 60179 U.S.A.

340804 06/28t96

Table of Contents 2 Service and Adjustments 17-21
Warranty 2 Storage 22

Safety Rules 2-4 Troubleshooting 23
Contents of Shipping Carton 4-5 Repair Parts 24-34

Assembly 5-8 Engine Repair Parts 35-40

Operation 8-t 4 Span ish(Espa5o t) 41-65

Maintenance 14-t 6 Parts Ordering/Service Back Cover

LIMITED TWO-YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN SNOW THROWER

Fortwo years from the date of purchase, when this Craftsman Snow Thrower is main-

tained, lubricated, and tuned up according to the operating and maintenance instruc-
tions in the owner's manual, Sears will repair, free of charge, any defect in material or
workmanship.

If this Craftsman Snow Thrower is used for commercial or rental purposes, this war-
ranty_applies for only 90 days from the date of purchase

This warranty does not cover the following:

• Items which become worn during normal use, such as spark plugs, drive belts and
shear pins.

. Repairs necessary because of operator abuse or negligence, including bent crank

shafts and the failure to maintain the equipment according to the instructions con-
rained in the owner's manual

WARRANTY SERVICE IS AVAILABLE BY RETURNING THE CRAFTSMAN SNOW
THROWER TO THE NEAREST SEARS SERVICE CENTER/DEPARTMENT IN THE

UNITED STATES. THIS WARRANTY APPLIES ONLY WHILE THIS PRODUCT IS IN
USE IN THE UNITED STATES

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which

may vary from state to state

Sears, Roebuck and Co,, D817WA, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Look for this symbol to point out important safety precautions. It means---

/k

A CAUTION: Always disconnect spark
plug wire and place wire where it cannot

contact spark plug to prevent accidental

starting when setting-up, transporting,
adjusting or making repairs

IMPORTANT: Safety standards require
operator presence controls to minimize the

risk of injury, Your snow thrower is
equipped with such controls,, Do not attempt
to defeat the function of the operator
presence control under any circumstances,

TRAINING

1. Read the operator's manual carefully

2. Never allow children to operate the snow

ATTENTION!!! Become alert!!! Your safety is involved_

Be thoroughly familiar with the controls

and the proper use of the snow thrower.

Know how to stop the snow thrower and

disengage the controls quickly

thrower and keep them away while it is

operating Never allow adults to operate
the snow thrower without proper instruc-

tion. Do not carry passengers

3 Keep the area of operation clear of all

persons, particularly small children and
pets

4, Exercise caution to avoid slipping or

falling, especially when operating in

reverse
PREPARATION
1 Thoroughly inspect the area where the

snow thrower is to be used and remove

all doormats, sleds, boards, wires and

other foreign objects
2 Disengage all clutches before starting the

engine (motor)

3 Do not operate the snow thrower

without wearing adequate winter outer

garmentsoWearfootwearthatwill

improvefootingonslipperysurfaces.

4. Handlefuelwithcare;itishighly
flammable.

(a)Useanapprovedfuelcontainer.
(b)Neverremovefueltankcaporadd

fueltoarunningengineorhot
engine_

(¢)Fillfueltankoutdoorswithextreme

careNeverfillfue!tankindoors.

(d)Replacefueltankcapsecurelyand

wipeupspilledfuel.

(e)Neverstorefuelorsnowthrower

withfuelinthetankinsideofa
buildingwherefumesmayreachan
openflameorspark

(f) Checkfuelsupplybeforeeachuse,

allowingspaceforexpansionasthe
heatoftheengine(motor)and/orsun
cancausefueltoexpand.

S. Use extension cords and receptacles as

specified by the manufacturer for all
snow throwers with electric drive motors

or electric starting motors.

6o Adjust the snow thrower height to clear

gravel or crushed rock surfaces.

7. Never attempt to make any adjustments
while the engine (motor) is running
(except when specifically recom-
mended by the manufacturer),

8. Let engine (motor) and snow thrower
adjust to outdoor temperatures before
starting to clear snow.

g. Always wear safety glasses or eye

shields during operation or while
performing an adjustment or repair to

protect eyes from foreign objects that
may be thrown from the snow thrower

OPERATION

1. Do not operate this machine if you are
taking drugs or other medication which

can cause drowsiness or affect your
ability to operate this machine

2. Do not use this machine if you are
mentally or physically unable to operate

this machine safely.

3 Do not put hands or feet near or under

rotating parts. Keep clear of the

discharge opening at all times

4. Exercise extreme caution when
operating on or crossing gravel drives,

walks, or roads. Stay alert for hidden

hazards or traffic

5. After striking a foreign object, stop the
engine (motor), remove the wire from

the spark plug, disconnect the cord on
electric motors, thoroughly inspect the
snow thrower for any damage, and

repair the damage before restarting
and operating the snow thrower,

6o Ifthe snow thrower should start to vibrate

abnormally, stop the (motor) and check
immediately for the cause. Vibration is
generally a warning of trouble.

7o Stop the engine (motor) whenever you

leave the operating position, before
unclogging the auger/impeller housing or

discharge guide, and when making any
repairs, adj_Jstments, or inspections.

8. When cleaning, repairing, or inspecting,
make certain the auger/impeller and all

moving paffs have stopped. Disconnect
the spark plug wire and keep the wire
away from the plug to prevent accidental
starting.

9. Take all possible precautions when
leaving the snow thrower unattended

Disengage the augedimpeller, shift to
neutral, stop engine, and remove key

10. Do not runthe engine indoors, except when
starling the engine and for transporting the

snow thrower in or out of the building.. Open
the outside doors; exhaust fumes are

dangerous (containing CARBON
MONOXIDE, an ODORLESS and

DEADLY GAS).

11 Do not clear snow across the face of

slopes Exercise caution when changing
direction on slopes. Do not attempt to
clear steep slopes

12 Never operate the snow thrower without

proper guards, plates or other safety
protective devices in place

13 Never operate the snow thrower near

glass enclosures, automobiles, window

wells, drop-offs, and the like Without
proper adjustment of the snow discharge

angle Keep children and pets away.

14. Do not overload the machine capacity by
attempting to clear snow at too fast a

rate.

15. Never operate the snow thrower at high

transport speeds on slippery surfaces..

Look behind and use care when backing.

16. Never direct discharge at bystanders or

allow anyone in front of the snow
thrower..

17 Disengage power to the auger/impeller

when snow thrower is transported or not

in use

18. Use only attachments and accessories
approved by the manufacturer of the

snow thrower (such as tire chains,

3

electric start kits, etc.).

19. Never operate the snow thrower
without good visibility or light,. Always be

sure of your footing, and keep a firm
hold on the handles° Walk; never run.

MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE
1o Check shear bolts and other bolts

frequently for proper tightness to be

sure the snow thrower is in safe working
condition.

2, Never store the snow thrower with fuel

in the fuel tank inside a building where
ignition sources are present such as hot

water and space heaters, clothes
dryers, and the like Allow the engine to _._.j._/'#,_

cool before storing in any enclosure, _'i'_i_![_7._2_..,., _._,._,, _': _}]_,_._._.__..__¢_ _._.'.._._'._

3. Always refer to operator s manual ___._,_'_J_$J_ __'_"_'_/_
instructions for important details ff the

snow thrower is to be stored for an
extended period°

4, Maintain or replace safety and instruc-

tion labels, as necessary.

5, Run the snow thrower a few minutes

after throwing snow to prevent freeze-
up of the auger/impeller.

WARNING: The engine exhaust

from this product contains chemicals
known to the State of California to cause

cancer, birth defects or other reproductive

harm_
,/_ WARNING: This snow thrower is for

use on sidewalks, driveways and other

ground level surfaces,,

Caution should be exercised while using on
steep sloping surfaces, DO NOT USE

SNOW THROWER ON SURFACES

ABOVE GROUND LEVEL such as roofs of

residences, garages, porches or other such

structures or buildings,

Contents of Parts Bag (actual size)
1 - Owner's Manual (not shown)

2 - Parts Bags (not shown)

*Non-Assembly Parts

(114_20 x 1-3/4 In.)

3 -Carriage Bolts, 5f16-18xl .00 In

1- Shifter Knob

©D

*2 - Spare Spacers

@©

*2- Spare 1/4-20Hex Nuts

3 -Hex Nylon Nuts, 5/16-18

1- Nul, 1/2-13 Hexjam

5 - 11/32 Flatwashers

4

1 - Starter Motor Cord 10FI,

2- Screw, 5/16-t8 x 2 In. 2 -Washer,Hvsptlk 2- Nut, 5/1648 Reghex

Parts packed separately in carton (not shown full size)

2 - Ignition Keys
(Attached to engine in plastic bag) 1 - container 5W30 oil 1 - Snow Chute Assembly

_ CAUTION: Always wear safety
glasses or eye shields while assembling

snow thrower

TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY

1 - Knife to cut carton and plastic ties

2 - 1/2 inch wrenches (or adjustable

wrenches)

2 - 9/16 inch wrenches (or adjustable

wrenches)

2 - 3/4 inch wrenches (or adjustable

wrenches)

1 - Pliers (to spread cotter pin)
1 _ Screwdriver

I - Measuring tape or ruler

The figure below shows the snow thrower in
the shipping carton

Lowerhandle

The figure below shows the snow thrower
completely assembled,

References to the right or left hand side
of the snow thrower are from the viewpoint

of the operator's position behind the unit,

Auger drive lever lever

Chute Crank

Shifter
lever

deflector

Upper
handle

aF,sembly

Height
adjust

/

Mounting nutsI

TO REMOVE SNOW THROWER

FROM CARTON

• Locate and remove container of 5W30 oil.

• Locate all parts packed separately and
remove from the carton+

• Remove and discard the packing materiat
from around the snow thrower

• Cut all four corners of the carton from top
to bottom and lay the panels flat.

• Roll the snow thrower off the carton by
pulling on the lower handle+ CAUTION:

DO NOT back over cables,

. Remove the packing material from

handle assembly and plastic protector on
top of auger housing

• Cut ties securing the clutch control cables
to the lower handle

TO INSTALL THE UPPER HANDLE
AND CRANK ASSEMBLY

+ Loosen, but do not remove the screw,

flatwasher, Iockwasher and hex nut in the

right hand upper holes of the Iower
handle See next figure,

Upper handle

tf_efthand) "f

3t8" nylon
Iocknut

End of Eye

Bolt

• Cut tie securing upper crank rod to the
upper handle,

• Carefully remove cotter pin and clevis pin
from yoke end of upper crank rod assem-
bly as shown in figure below.

Uniersal Joint Pin

Cotter Pin

Upper/"
Crank "" Clevis

Rod

/./" Upperhandle

J f (Righthand)

\1 Loosen.but

5/16" hex Nut "_ 1/32"Flatwasher

5116"Lockwasher

* Loosen, but do not remove the nylon lock-

nut on the eye bolt assembly in the left
hand upper holes of the lower handle.
See next figure

. Raise upper handle into operating posi-

tion, Upper handle should be to the

outside of the lower handle,

NOTE: Make sure the cables are not
caught between the upper and lower handle

or on the gear select bracket

• Install hardware supplied in the parts bag
(Screws, flatwashers, lockwashers, and

Iocknuts) into lower holes on handlesSee

figure above

. Tighten screws in lower holes

NOTE: If this removes the universal joint
and univesaf joint pin. Place universal joint

into yoke of upper crank rod lining up large
holes. Insert universal joint pin,

• While holding universal joint in place slide
the upper crank rod down through the
eye bolt until the universal joint will slide
into the yoke of the lower crank rod+

• Line up open_ngs, insert clevis pin
through assembly and secure with cotter
pin Spread ends of cotter pin to lock in
pIace See figure below,

Universatjoint

Lower

Upper Crank Rod

Tighten nut on eye bolt, keeping eye in

tine with the rod while tightening the in-
side securely,

Tighten screw in right hand upper hole,

TO INSTALL SHIFTER LEVER KNOB

• Thread the hex nut found in the parts bag

onto shifter lever, Thread the shifter lever
knob onto the threaded end of the shifter

lever until it is snug against the hex nut
and the lip is pointed away from the en-
gine. Tighten hex nut against the bottom
of the shifter lever knob° See figure below

_"\ Knob

_\ Nut

Shifter Lever

- Install (3) ftatwashers and (3) nuts (found
in parts bag) on outside of flange ,,

- Tighten carriage bolts securely, NOTE:
Check fourth carriage bolt for tightness.,

Locknut

_" , Snow Chute Flange

NOTE_ Ifthe cables have become discon-
nected from the clutch levers, reinstall the
cables as shown in next two figures

NOTE: Position cable through slots on
shifter plate,

"Z" fitting

4" Lg free state

Traction drive

spring lever spring cable

3" Lg free stale

ve

Auger drive

ing

TO ASSEMBLE SNOW CHUTE

• Position snow chute on snow chute flange

and align the three holes in the snow
chute with holes in the snow chute flange
as shown in next figure

• Install (3) carriage bolts (found in parts
bag) from inside of chute as shown in next

figure°

,,_ _"_Carriage Bolts

TO CHECK/ADJUST CLUTCH

CONTROL CABLES

The control cables attached to the auger
clutch lever and traction clutch lever as

shown in figure below may need to be ad-

justed before you use your snow thrower

For instructions on checking or adjusting the
control cables. (See To Adjust Clutch Control

Cables paragraph on page17)

HOW TO SET UP YOUR SNOW
THROWER

• Your snow thrower is equipped with height
adjust skids (see second figure on page 5)

on the outside of the auger housing, To

adjust the skid height for different

conditions, (see To Adjust Skid Height
paragraph on page 17)

4" CHECKLIST

Before you operate your new snow

thrower, to ensure that you receive the
best performance and satisfaction from this

quality product, please review the following
checklist:

•f All assembly instructions have been
completed.

4' The discharge chute rotates freely.
/ No remaining loose parts in carton,

except for extra shear bolt assembly
parts_ Keep in safe place for replace-

ment.

While learning how to use your snow
thrower, pay extra attention to the following

important items:
,/'.f Engine oil is at proper level.
,/,/ Make sure gas tank is filled properly

with clean, fresh, unleaded gasoline°

/4' Become familiar with all controls-their

location and function. Operate controls
before starting engine_

Auger Drive Lever - Starts and stops the
auger and impeller (snow gathering and
throwing).

Traction Drive Lever - PropeEs the snow
thrower forward and in reverse.

Speed Shifter Lever- Selects the speed of
snow thrower (6 speeds forward and 2

speeds reverse),.
Crank Assembly- Changes the direction of

snow throwing through the discharge chute.
Chute Deflector - Changes the distance

the snow is thrown.
Discharge Chute - Changes the direction

the snow is thrown.
Height Adjust Skids - Adjusts the ground

clearance of the auger housing.

Ignition Key - Must be inserted to start the

engine,.

Recoil Starter Handle - Starts the engine

manually.

Choke Control - Used to start a cold en-
gine.

Primer Button - Injects fuel directly into the
carburetor manifold for fast starts in cold

weather.
Throttle Control - Controls the engine

speed.

Electric Starter Button - Used to start the

engine using the 120 V electric starter.

Shear Bolt - Shear bolts are designed to

break (to protect the machine) if an object

becomes lodged in the auger housing,. Use
of a harder bolt wilt destroy the protection

provided by the shear bolt