Troy-Bilt Storm 8526 User Manual

Safe Operation Practices • Set-Up • Operation • Maintenance • Service • Troubleshooting • Warranty

OperatOr’s Manual

Two-Stage Snow Thrower — Storm 8526

WARNING

READ AND FOLLOW ALL SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL

BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THIS MACHINE.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.

TROY-BILT LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019

Printed In USA

Form No. 769-03345

(June 27, 2007)

To The Owner

Thank You

Thank you for purchasing a Snow Thrower manufactured by Troy-Bilt LLC. It was carefully engineered to provide excellent performance when properly operated and maintained.

Please read this entire manual prior to operating the equipment. It instructs you how to safely and easily set up, operate and maintain your machine. Please be sure that you, and any other persons who will operate the machine, carefully follow the recommended safety practices at all times. Failure to do so could result in personal injury or property damage.

All information in this manual is relative to the most recent product information available at the time of printing. Review this manual frequently to familiarize yourself with the unit, its features and operation. Please be aware that this Operator’s Manual may cover a range of product specifications for various models. Characteristics and features discussed and/or illustrated in this manual may not be applicable to all models. Troy-Bilt LLC reserves the right to change product specifications, designs and equipment without notice and without incurring obligation.

Table of Contents

Important Safe Operation Practices ..................... 3

Assembly & Set-Up .................................................. 6

Controls & Features ................................................10

Operation ................................................................13

This product has met the rigid safety standards of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute and an independent testing laboratory. If you have any problems or questions concerning the unit, phone a authorized Troy-Bilt service dealer or contact us directly. Troy-Bilt’s Customer Support telephone numbers, website address and mailing address can be found on this page. We want to ensure your complete satisfaction at all times.

Throughout this manual, all references to right and left side of the machine are observed from the operating position

The engine manufacturer is responsible for all engine-related issues with regards to performance, power-rating, specifications, warranty and service. Please refer to the engine manufacturer’s Owner’s/Operator’s Manual, packed separately with your unit, for more information.

Maintenance & Adjustment .................................15

Service .....................................................................18

Troubleshooting .................................................... 22

Replacement Parts ................................................ 23

Record Product Information

Before setting up and operating your new equipment, please locate the model plate on the equipment and record the information in the provided area to the right. You can locate the model plate by standing at the operator’s position and looking at the lower, rear section of the frame. This information will be necessary, should you seek technical support via our web site, Customer Support Department, or with a local authorized service dealer.

MOdel nuMber

serial nuMber

Customer Support

Please do NOT return the unit to the retailer or dealer without first contacting our Customer Support Department.

If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation, or maintenance of this unit, you can seek help from the experts. Choose from the options below:

Visit us on the web at www.troybilt.com

◊

Call a Customer Support Representative at (800) 828-5500 or (330) 558-7220

◊

Write us at Troy-Bilt LLC • P.O. Box 361131 • Cleveland, OH • 44136-0019

◊

Important Safe Operation Practices

WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed,

could endanger the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol. HEED ITS WARNING!

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

WARNING: Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components

contain or emit chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

DANGER: This machine was built to be operated according to the safe operation practices in this manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury. This machine is capable of amputating fingers, hands, toes and feet and throwing foreign objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.

Training

Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine and in the manual(s) before attempting to assemble and operate. Keep this manual in a safe place for future and regular reference and for ordering replacement parts.

Be familiar with all controls and their proper operation. Know how to stop the machine and disengage them quickly.

Never allow children under 14 years of age to operate this machine. Children 14 and over should read and understand the instructions and safe operation practices in this manual and on the machine and be trained and supervised by an adult.

Never allow adults to operate this machine without proper instruction.

Thrown objects can cause serious personal injury. Plan your snow-throwing pattern to avoid discharge of material toward roads, bystanders and the like.

Keep bystanders, helpers, pets and children at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.

Exercise caution to avoid slipping or falling, especially when operating in reverse.

Preparation

Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be used. Remove all doormats, newspapers, sleds, boards, wires and other foreign objects, which could be tripped over or thrown by the auger/impeller.

Always wear safety glasses or eye shields during operation

1. and while performing an adjustment or repair to protect your eyes. Thrown objects which ricochet can cause serious injury to the eyes.

Do not operate without wearing adequate winter outer

2. garments. Do not wear jewelry, long scarves or other loose clothing, which could become entangled in moving parts. Wear footwear which will improve footing on slippery surfaces.

Use a grounded three-wire extension cord and receptacle

3. for all machines with electric start engines.

Adjust collector housing height to clear gravel or crushed

4. rock surfaces.

Disengage all control levers before starting the engine.

5. Never attempt to make any adjustments while engine is

6. running, except where specifically recommended in the operator’s manual.

Let engine and machine adjust to outdoor temperature

7. before starting to clear snow.

Safe Handling of Gasoline

To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite. Wash your skin and change clothes immediately.

Use only an approved gasoline container.

Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other

sources of ignition. Never fuel machine indoors.

Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is

hot or running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before

refueling. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than ½

inch below bottom of filler neck to provide space for fuel expansion.

Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.

If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and

equipment. Move machine to another area. Wait 5 minutes before starting the engine.

Never store the machine or fuel container inside

where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light (e.g. furnace, water heater, space heater, clothes dryer etc.).

Allow machine to cool at least 5 minutes before

storing. Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck

or trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place containers on the ground away from your vehicle before filling.

If possible, remove gas-powered equipment from

the truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not possible, then refuel such equipment on a trailer with a portable container, rather than from a gasoline dispenser nozzle.

Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel

tank or container opening at all times until fueling is complete. Do not use a nozzle lock-open device.

Operation

Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts, in the auger/

1. impeller housing or chute assembly. Contact with the rotating parts can amputate hands and feet.

The auger/impeller control lever is a safety device. Never

2. bypass its operation. Doing so makes the machine unsafe and may cause personal injury.

The control levers must operate easily in both directions

3. and automatically return to the disengaged position when released.

Never operate with a missing or damaged chute assembly.

4. Keep all safety devices in place and working.

Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area.

5. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.

Do not operate machine while under the influence of

6. alcohol or drugs.

Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do

7. not touch. Keep children away.

Exercise extreme caution when operating on or crossing

8. gravel surfaces. Stay alert for hidden hazards or traffic.

Exercise caution when changing direction and while

9. operating on slopes.

Plan your snow-throwing pattern to avoid discharge

10. towards windows, walls, cars etc. Thus, avoiding possible property damage or personal injury caused by a ricochet.

Never direct discharge at children, bystanders and pets or

11. allow anyone in front of the machine.

Do not overload machine capacity by attempting to clear

12. snow at too fast of a rate.

Never operate this machine without good visibility or light.

13. Always be sure of your footing and keep a firm hold on the handles. Walk, never run.

Disengage power to the auger/impeller when transporting

14. or not in use.

Never operate machine at high transport speeds on

15. slippery surfaces. Look down and behind and use care when backing up.

If the machine should start to vibrate abnormally, stop

16. the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire and ground it against the engine. Inspect thoroughly for damage. Repair any damage before starting and operating.

Disengage all control levers and stop engine before you

17. leave the operating position (behind the handles). Wait until the auger/impeller comes to a complete stop before unclogging the chute assembly, making any adjustments, or inspections.

Never put your hand in the discharge or collector

18. openings. Always use the clean-out tool provided to unclog the discharge opening. Do not unclog chute assembly while engine is running. Shut off engine and remain behind handles until all moving parts have stopped before unclogging.

Use only attachments and accessories approved by the

19. manufacturer (e.g. wheel weights, tire chains, cabs etc.).

When starting engine, pull cord slowly until resistance

20. is felt, then pull rapidly. Rapid retraction of starter cord (kickback) will pull hand and arm toward engine faster than you can let go. Broken bones, fractures, bruises or sprains could result.

If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use

21. care and good judgment. Contact Customer Support for assistance and the name of your nearest servicing dealer.

4 sectiOn 2 — iMpOrtant safe OperatiOn practices

Maintenance & Storage

Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper

1. operation regularly. Refer to the maintenance and adjustment sections of this manual.

Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting machine

2. disengage all control levers and stop the engine. Wait until the auger/impeller come to a complete stop. Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground against the engine to prevent unintended starting.

Check bolts and screws for proper tightness at frequent

3. intervals to keep the machine in safe working condition. Also, visually inspect machine for any damage.

Do not change the engine governor setting or over-speed

4. the engine. The governor controls the maximum safe operating speed of the engine.

Snow thrower shave plates and skid shoes are subject to

5. wear and damage. For your safety protection, frequently check all components and replace with original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) parts only. “Use of parts which do not meet the original equipment specifications may lead to improper performance and compromise safety!”

Check control levers periodically to verify they engage

6. and disengage properly and adjust, if necessary. Refer to the adjustment section in this operator’s manual for instructions.

Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as

7. necessary.

Observe proper disposal laws and regulations for gas, oil,

8. etc. to protect the environment.

Prior to storing, run machine a few minutes to clear snow

9. from machine and prevent freeze up of auger/impeller.

Never store the machine or fuel container inside where

10. there is an open flame, spark or pilot light such as a water heater, furnace, clothes dryer etc.

Always refer to the operator’s manual for proper

11. instructions on off-season storage.

Check fuel line, tank, cap, and fittings frequently for cracks

12. or leaks. Replace if necessary.

Do not crank engine with spark plug removed.

13.

Do not modify engine

To avoid serious injury or death, do not modify engine in any way. Tampering with the governor setting can lead to a runaway engine and cause it to operate at unsafe speeds. Never tamper with factory setting of engine governor.

Notice Regarding Emissions

Engines which are certified to comply with California and federal EPA emission regulations for SORE (Small Off Road Equipment) are certified to operate on regular unleaded gasoline, and may include the following emission control systems: Engine Modification (EM) and Three Way Catalyst (TWC) if so equipped.

Spark Arrestor

WARNING: This machine is equipped with an

internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered, brush covered or grass-covered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if any).

If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator. In the State of California the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest engine authorized service dealer or contact the service department, P.O. Box 361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019.

Average Useful Life

According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this product has an Average Useful Life of seven (7) years, or 60 hours of operation. At the end of the Average Useful Life, buy a new machine or have the machine inspected annually by an authorized service dealer to ensure that all mechanical and safety systems are working properly and not worn excessively. Failure to do so can result in accidents, injuries or death.

WARNING: Your Responsibility—Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who read, understand and

follow the warnings and instructions in this manual and on the machine.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

5sectiOn 2 — iMpOrtant safe OperatiOn practices

Assembly & Set-Up

Contents of Carton

One Snow Thrower• Two Replacement Auger Shear Pins• One Chute Assembly•

One Snow Thrower Operator’s

• One Tecumseh Engine Operator’s Manual

Assembly

Handle

Place the shift lever in the forward-6 position.

1. Observe the lower rear area of the snow thrower to be sure

2. both cables are aligned with roller guides before pivoting the handle upward. See Fig. 3-1.

• One Product Registration Card• Manual

Figure 3-1

NOTE: Make certain the upper ends of each cable are seated properly in its bracket.

Secure the handle by tightening the plastic knob located

2. on both the left and right sides of the handle. Remove and discard any rubber bands, if present. They are for packaging purposes only.

Chute Assembly

Position the chute assembly over the base. See Fig. 3-2.

1. Close the flange keepers to secure the chute assembly

2. to the chute base. The flange keepers will click into place when properly secure. See Fig. 3-3.

NOTE: If the flange keepers will not easily click into place, use the palm of your hand to apply swift, firm pressure to the back of each.

Figure 3-2

Figure 3-3

Chute Directional Control

Chute Clean-out Tool

Remove the plastic cap (if present), flat washer and hairpin

1. clip from the end of the chute directional control. See Fig. 3-4.

Chute Clean-Out Tool

The chute clean-out tool is fastened to the top of the auger housing with a mounting clip and a cable tie at the factory. Cut the cable tie before operating the snow thrower. See Fig. 3-6.

Figure 3-4

Insert the end of the chute directional control into the

2. lower bracket and secure with the flat washer and hairpin clip just removed. If necessary, the lower bracket can be adjusted. Refer to Chute Bracket Adjustment on Page 16.

Set-Up

Shear Pins

A pair of replacement auger shear pins and bow tie cotter pins are included with your snow thrower. See Fig. 3-5 Store them in a safe place until needed..

Figure 3-6

Tire Pressure

Before operating, check tire pressure and reduce pressure in both tires to between 15 psi and 20 psi.

NOTE: If the tire pressure is not equal in both tires, the machine may not travel in a straight path and the shave plate may wear unevenly.

Gas & Oil Fill-Up

WARNING! Use extreme care when handling

gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Never fuel the machine indoors or while the engine is hot or running. Extinguish cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition.

Service the engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in the Tecumseh Engine Operator’s Manual packed separately with your snow thrower. Read instructions carefully.

NOTE: Your snow thrower is shipped with oil in the engine. However, you MUST check the oil level before operating. Refer to Tecumseh Engine Operator’s Manual for detailed instructions.

Figure 3-5

7sectiOn 3 — asseMbly & set-up

Adjustments

Skid Shoes

The snow thrower skid shoes are adjusted upward at the factory for shipping purposes. Adjust them downward, if desired, prior to operating the snow thrower.

CAUTION: It is not recommended that you operate

this snow thrower on gravel as it can easily pick up and throw loose gravel, causing personal injury or damage to the snow thrower and surrounding property.

For close snow removal on a smooth surface, raise skid

• shoes higher on the auger housing.

Use a middle or lower position when the area to be cleared

• is uneven, such as a gravel driveway

NOTE: If you choose to operate the snow thrower on a gravel surface, keep the skid shoes in position for maximum clearance between the ground and the shave plate.

To adjust the skid shoes:

Loosen the four hex nuts (two on each side) and carriage

1. bolts. Move skid shoes to desired position. See Fig. 3-7.

Chute Assembly

The distance snow is thrown can be adjusted by changing the angle of the chute assembly. To do so:

Stop the engine by removing the ignition key and loosen

1. the plastic knob found on the left side of the chute assembly.

Pivot the chute upward or downward before retightening

2. the wing knob. See Fig. 3-8.

Figure 3-7

Make certain the entire bottom surface of skid shoe is

2. against the ground to avoid uneven wear on the skid shoes.

Retighten nuts and bolts securely.

Figure 3-8

8 sectiOn 3— asseMbly & set-up

Auger Control

WARNING! Prior to operating your snow thrower,

carefully read and follow all instructions below. Perform all adjustments to verify your snow thrower is operating safely and properly.

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. Refer to Starting the Engine on page 13. 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 throttle control in the FAST (rabbit) position and the auger control 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. 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 upper hex nut on the auger cable bracket. See Fig. 3-9.

Figure 3-9

Position the bracket upward to provide more slack (or downward to increase cable tension).

Retighten the upper hex nut.

10.

Repeat steps 2-6 above to verify proper adjustment has been achieved.

9sectiOn 3 — asseMbly & set-up

Engine Controls

Recoil Starter

Handle

Electric Starter Outlet

Primer

Ignition

Key

Choke

Control

Throttle

Control

Drive Control

Oil Fill

Chute Assembly

Gas Cap

Shift Lever

Auger Control

Chute Directional Control

Electric Start Button

Clean Out

Tool

Augers

Skid Shoe

Controls and Features

Snow thrower controls and features are described below and illustrated in Fig. 4-1.

NOTE: For detailed information on all engine controls, refer to the separate Tecumseh Engine Operator’s Manual.

Shift Lever

The shift lever is located in the right side of the handle panel and is used to determine ground speed and direction of travel.

Forward

There are six forward (F) speeds. Position one (1) is the slowest and position six (6) is the fastest.

Reverse

There are two reverse (R) speeds. One (1) is the slower and two (2) is the faster.

Figure 4-1

Choke Control

The choke control is found on the rear of the engine and is activated by rotating the knob clockwise. Activating the choke control closes the choke plate on the carburetor and aids in starting the engine.

Ignition Key

The ignition key is a safety devise. It must be fully inserted in order for the engine to start. Remove the ignition key when the snow thrower is not in use.

Note: Do not turn the ignition key in an attempt to start the engine. Doing so may cause it to break.

Throttle Control

The throttle control is located on the rear of the engine. It regulates the speed of the engine and will shut off the engine when moved into the STOP position.

Primer

Pressing the primer forces fuel directly into the engine’s carburetor to aid in cold-weather starting.

Oil Fill

Engine oil level can be checked and oil added through the oil fill.

Auger Control

Skid Shoes

Position the skid shoes based on surface conditions. Adjust upward for hard-packed snow. Adjust downward when operating on gravel or crushed rock surfaces.

Electric Starter Outlet

Requires the use of a three-prong outdoor extension cord and a 120V power source/wall outlet.

Recoil Starter Handle

This handle is used to manually start the engine.

Electric Starter Button

Pressing the electric starter button engages the engine’s electric starter when plugged into a 120V power source.

Augers

When engaged, the augers rotate and draw snow into the auger housing.

Chute Assembly

Snow drawn into the auger housing is discharged out the chute assembly.

Gas Cap

Unthread the gas cap to add gasoline to the fuel tank.

The auger control is located on the left handle. Squeeze the control grip against the handle to engage the augers and start snow throwing action. Release to stop.

Drive Control / Auger Clutch Lock

The drive control is located on the right handle. Squeeze the control grip against the handle to engage the wheel drive. Release to stop.

The drive control also locks the auger control so that you can operate the chute directional control without interrupting the snow throwing process. If the auger control is engaged simultaneously with the drive control, the operator can release the auger control (on the left handle) and the augers will remain engaged. Release both controls to stop the augers and wheel drive.

Note: Always release the drive control before changing speeds. Failure to do so will result in increased wear on your machine’s drive system.

11sectiOn 4 — cOntrOls and features

Chute Directional Control

The chute directional control is located on left side of the snow thrower. To change the direction in which snow is thrown, turn chute directional control as follows:

Crank clockwise to discharge to the left.

• Crank counterclockwise to discharge to the right.

•

Chute Clean-Out Tool

WARNING! Never use your hands to clear a

clogged chute assembly. Shut off engine and remain behind handles until all moving parts have stopped before unclogging.

The chute clean-out tool is conveniently fastened to the rear of the auger housing with a mounting clip. Should snow and ice become lodged in the chute assembly during operation, proceed as follows to safely clean the chute assembly and chute opening:

Release both the Auger Control and the Drive Control.

Stop the engine by removing the ignition key.

Remove the clean-out tool from the clip which secures it to the rear of the auger housing.

Use the shovel-shaped end of the clean-out tool to dislodge and scoop any snow and ice which has formed in and near the chute assembly.

Refasten the clean-out tool to the mounting clip on the rear of the auger housing, reinsert the ignition key and start the snow thrower’s engine.

While standing in the operator’s position (behind the snow thrower), engage the auger control for a few seconds to clear any remaining snow and ice from the chute assembly.

12 sectiOn 4— cOntrOls and features

Operation

Starting The Engine

Attach spark plug wire to spark plug. Make certain the

1. metal loop on the end of the spark plug wire (inside the rubber boot) is fastened securely over the metal tip on the spark plug.

Make certain both the auger control and drive control are

2. in the disengaged (released) position.

Move throttle control up to FAST position. Insert ignition

3. key into slot. Make sure it snaps into place. Do not attempt to turn the key.

NOTE: The engine cannot start unless the key is inserted into ignition switch.

Electric Starter

Determine that your home’s wiring is a three-wire grounded system. Ask a licensed electrician if you are not certain.

WARNING! The optional electric starter is

equipped with a grounded three-wire power cord and plug, and is designed to operate on 120 volt AC household current. It must be used with a properly grounded three-prong receptacle at all times to avoid the possibility of electric shock. Follow all instructions carefully prior to operating the electric starter.

If you have a grounded three-prong receptacle, proceed as follows:

Plug the extension cord into the outlet located on the

1. engine’s surface. Plug the other end of extension cord into a three-prong 120-volt, grounded, AC outlet in a wellventilated area.

Rotate choke control to FULL choke position (for a cold

2. engine start).

NOTE: If the engine is already warm, place choke control in the OFF position instead of FULL.

Push the primer two or three times for cold engine start,

3. making sure to cover vent hole in the center of the primer when pushing.

NOTE: Do NOT use primer to restart a warm engine after a short shutdown.

Push starter button to start engine.

4. NOTE: Do NOT Do NOT hold the button down for longer

than seven (7) seconds at a time. Doing so may damage your engine’s electric starter.

Once the engine starts, release starter button.

4. As the engine warms, slowly rotate the choke control to the

5. OFF position. If the engine falters, quickly rotate the choke control back to FULL and then slowly into the OFF position again.

When disconnecting the extension cord, always unplug the

6. end at the three-prong wall outlet before unplugging the opposite end from the snow thrower.

Recoil Starter

Rotate choke control to FULL choke position (cold engine

1. start).

NOTE: If the engine is already warm, place choke control in the OFF position instead of FULL.

Push the primer two or three times for cold engine start,

2. making sure to cover vent hole in the center of the primer when pushing.

NOTE: DO NOT use primer to restart a warm engine after a short shutdown.

NOTE: Additional priming may be necessary if the temperature is below 15° Fahrenheit.

Grasp the recoil starter handle and slowly pull the rope out.

3. At the point where it becomes slightly harder to pull the rope, slowly allow the rope to recoil.

Pull the starter handle with a firm, rapid stroke. Do not

4. release the handle and allow it to snap back. Keep a firm hold on the starter handle and allow it to slowly recoil.

As the engine warms, slowly rotate the choke control to the

5. OFF position. If the engine falters, quickly rotate the choke control back to the FULL position and then slowly into the OFF position again.

NOTE: Allow the engine to warm up for a few minutes after starting. The engine will not develop full power until it reaches operating temperatures.

Stopping The Engine

Run engine for a few minutes before stopping to help dry off any moisture on the engine.

Move throttle control to STOP position.

1. Remove the ignition key and store in a safe place.

2. Wipe all snow and moisture from the area around the

3. engine as well as the area in and around the drive control and auger control. Also, engage and release both controls several times.

To Engage Drive

With the throttle control in the Fast (rabbit) position, move shift lever into one of the six forward (F) positions or two reverse (R) positions. Select a speed appropriate for the snow conditions and a pace you’re comfortable with.

Squeeze the drive control against the handle the snow thrower will move. Release it and drive motion will stop.

To Engage Augers

To engage the augers and start throwing snow, squeeze the auger control against the left handle. Release to stop the augers.

Replacing Shear Pins

The augers are secured to the spiral shaft with two shear pins and cotter pins. If the auger should strike a foreign object or ice jam, the snow thrower is designed so that the pins may shear. If the augers will not turn, check to see if the pins have sheared. See Fig. 5-1.

CAUTION: NEVER replace the auger shear pins

with anything other than OEM Part No.738-04124A replacement shear pins. Any damage to the auger gearbox or other components as a result of failing to do so will NOT be covered by your snow thrower’s warranty.

WARNING! Always turn off the snow thrower’s

engine and remove the key prior to replacing shear pins.

14 sectiOn 5— OperatiOn

Figure 5-1

Maintenance & Adjustments

Maintenance

Engine

Refer to the Tecumseh Engine manual packed with your machine for all engine maintenance.

Shave Plate and Skid Shoes

The shave plate and skid shoes on the bottom of the snow thrower are subject to wear. They should be checked periodically and replaced when necessary.

To remove skid shoes:

Remove the four carriage bolts and hex flange nuts which

1. secure them to the snow thrower.

Reassemble new skid shoes with the four carriage bolts

2. (two on each side) and hex flange nuts. Refer to Fig. 6-1.

Lubrication

Gear Shaft

The gear (hex) shaft should be lubricated at least once a season or after every twenty-five (25) hours of operation.

Carefully pivot the snow thrower up and forward so that it

1. rests on the auger housing.

Remove the frame cover from the underside of the snow

2. thrower by removing four self-tapping screws which secure it. Refer to Fig 7-3.

Apply a light coating of engine oil (or 3-in-1 oil) to the hex

3. shaft. See Fig. 6-2.

NOTE: When lubrication the hex shaft, be careful not to get any oil on the aluminum drive plate or the rubber friction wheel. Doing so will hinder the snow thrower’s drive system. Wipe off any excess or spilled oil.

Figure 6-1

To remove shave plate:

Remove the carriage bolts and hex nuts which attach it to

1. the snow thrower housing.

Reassemble new shave plate, making sure heads of

2. carriage bolts are to the inside of housing. Tighten securely.

Tire Pressure

Before operating, check tire pressure and reduce pressure to between 15 psi and 20 psi.

If the tire pressure is not equal in both tires, the unit may pull to one side or the other.

Figure 6-2

Wheels

At least once a season, remove both wheels. Clean and coat the axles with a multipurpose automotive grease before reinstalling wheels.

Chute Directional Control

Once a season, lubricate the eye-bolt bushing and the spiral with 3-in-1 oil.

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