Craftsman 88704 Operation Manual - Page 4

Safe Handling of Gasoline Toavoidpersonalinjuryor propertydamageuseextremecare in handlinggasoline.Gasolineis extremelyflammableand the vaporsare explosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycan occurwhengasolineis spilled on yourselfor yourclotheswhichcan ignite.Washyour skin and changeclothesimmediately. • Useonly an approvedgasolinecontainer. • Extinguishall cigarettes,cigars,pipesand other sources of ignition. • Neverfuelmachineindoors. • Neverremovegas capor add fuel whilethe engineis hot or running. • Allowengine to coolat leasttwo minutesbeforerefueling. • Neveroverfill fueltank. Filltank to no morethan1/2inch belowbottomof filler neckto providespacefor fuel expansion. • Replacegasolinecap and tightensecurely. • If gasolineis spilled,wipeit off the engineand equipment. Movemachineto anotherarea.Wait5 minutesbefore startingthe engine. • Neverstorethe machineor fuel containerinsidewhere thereis an open flame,sparkor pilotlight (e.g.furnace, waterheater,space heater,clothesdryer etc.). • Allowmachineto cool at least5 minutesbeforestoring. • Neverfill containersinsidea vehicleor on a truckor trailer bed with a plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainerson the groundawayfromyourvehicle beforefilling. • If possible,removegas-poweredequipmentfrom thetruck or trailerand refuelit on the ground.If this is not possible, then refuelsuch equipmenton a trailerwith a portable container,ratherthan from a gasolinedispensernozzle. • Keepthe nozzlein contactwith the rimof the fueltank or containeropeningat all timesuntil fuelingis complete.Do notuse a nozzlelock-opendevice. OPERATION • Do not puthandsor feet near rotatingparts,in the auger/impeller housingor chuteassembly.Contactwith the rotatingpartscan amputatehandsand feet. • Theauger/impellercontrol leveris a safetydevice.Neverbypass its operation.Doingso makesthe machineunsafeand may cause personalinjury. • Thecontrol leversmustoperateeasilyin bothdirectionsand automaticallyreturnto the disengagedpositionwhenreleased. • Neveroperatewith a missingor damagedchuteassembly.Keep all safetydevicesin placeand working. • Neverrun an engine indoorsor in a poorlyventilatedarea. Engine exhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,an odorlessand deadlygas. • Do notoperatemachinewhileunder the influenceof alcoholor drugs. • Mufflerand engine becomehotand can causea burn.Do not touch.Keepchildrenaway. • Exerciseextremecautionwhenoperatingon or crossinggravel surfaces.Stay alertfor hidden hazardsor traffic. • Exercisecautionwhenchangingdirectionand whileoperatingon slopes. • Planyoursnow-throwingpatternto avoiddischargetowards windows,walls,cars etc. Thus,avoidingpossibleproperty damageor personalinjurycausedby a ricochet. • Neverdirect dischargeat children,bystandersand petsor allow anyonein front of the machine. • Donot overloadmachinecapacityby attemptingto clearsnowat too fastof a rate. • Neveroperatethis machinewithoutgoodvisibility or light. Always be sureof yourfootingand keepa firm hold on the handles.Walk, neverrun. • Disengagepowerto theauger/impellerwhentransportingor not in use. • Neveroperatemachineat high transportspeedson slippery surfaces.Lookdownand behindand usecare whenbackingup. • If the machineshouldstart to vibrateabnormallys, top the engine, disconnectthe spark plugwire and groundit againstthe engine. Inspectthoroughlyfor damage.Repairanydamagebefore startingand operating. • Disengageall controlleversand stop enginebeforeyouleave the operatingposition(behindthe handles).Wait untilthe auger/ impellercomesto a completestop beforeuncloggingthechute assembly,makingany adjustments,or inspections. • Neverput yourhand in the dischargeor collectoropenings.Do not unclogchuteassemblywhileengineis running.Shutoff engineand remainbehindhandlesuntilall movingparts have stoppedbeforeunclogging. • Useonly attachmentsand accessoriesapprovedby the manufacturer (e.g.wheelweights,tire chains,cabsetc.). • Whenstartingengine,pull cord slowlyuntilresistanceis felt, then pull rapidly.Rapidretractionof startercord(kickback)will pull hand and armtowardenginefasterthan youcan let go. Broken bones,fractures,bruisesor sprainscould result. • If situationsoccur whichare notcoveredin this manual,use care and good judgment.ContactCustomerSupportfor assistance and the nameof your nearestservicingdealer. CLEARING A CLOGGED DISCHARGE CHUTE Handcontactwith the rotatingimpellerinsidethe dischargechute is the mostcommoncauseof injuryassociatedwith snowthrowers. Neveruse yourhand to cleanout thedischargechute. Toclear thechute: 1. SHUTTHE ENGINEOFF! 2. Wait 10secondsto be surethe impellerbladeshavestopped rotating. 3. Alwaysusea clean-outtool, not yourhands. 4