MTD 31AH5WTG799 Owner's manual

Operator's Manual

CRRFr MRN

28" SNOW THROWER

Model No. 247.88999

CAUTION: Before using

this product, read this

manual and follow all

safety rules and operating

instructions.

o SAFETY

ASSEMBLY

OPERATION

MAINTENANCE

PARTS LIST

o ESPArqOL

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179, U.S.A.

Visit our website: www.craftsman.com FORMNO.769-03955

2/4/2009

WarrantyStatement.................... Page2

SafeOperationPractices.............. Pages3-6

SafetyLabels......................... Page7

Assembly......................... Pages8-11

Operation........................ Pages12-15

Service&Maintenance.............. Pages16-21

Off-SeasonStorage................... Page22

Troubleshooting...................... Page23

PartsList......................... Pages24-36

RepairProtectionAgreement............ Page40

Espa_ol............................. Page41

ServiceNumbers................... BackPage

CRAFTSMAN LiMiTED WARRANTY

Two Years on Snow Thrower

Whenoperatedandmaintainedaccordingtoall suppliedinstructions,ifthissnowthrowerfailsduetoa defectin materialor workmanshipwithin

two yearsfromthedateorpurchase,call1-800-4-MY-HOME®toarrangeforfreerepair.

Thiswarrantyappliesforonly90daysfromthedateofpurchaseif thissnowthroweriseverusedforcommercialor rentalpurposes.

Duringthefirstyearof purchase,therewillbeno chargeforwarrantyservicein yourhome.Foryourconvenience,in-homewarrantyservicewill

still beavailableafterthefirstyearofpurchase,buta tripchargewillapply.Thischargewillbewaivedifyoutransportthesnowthrowertoan

authorizedCraftsmandrop-offlocation.Forthenearestauthorizedlocation,call1-800-4-MY-HOME®.

Thiswarranty coversONLYdefects inmaterial and workmanship. SearswillNOTpayfor:

• Expendableitemsthat becomewornduringnormaluse,includingbutnotlimitedtoskidshoes,shaveplate,shearpins,sparkplug,air

cleaner,belts,andoilfilter.

• Standardmaintenanceservicing,oil changes,ortune-ups.

• Tirereplacementor repaircausedbypuncturesfromoutsideobjects,suchas nails,thorns,stumps,orglass.

• Tireorwheelreplacementor repairresultingfromnormalwear,accident,or improperoperationor maintenance.

• Repairsnecessarybecauseofoperatorabuse,includingbutnotlimitedtodamagecausedbyimpactingobjectsthatbendtheframeor

crankshaft,or over-speedingtheengine.

• Repairsnecessarybecauseofoperatornegligence,includingbutnotlimitedto,electricalandmechanicaldamagecausedbyimproper

storage,failuretousethepropergradeandamountofengineoil,orfailuretomaintaintheequipmentaccordingto theinstructionscontained

intheoperator'smanual.

• Engine(fuelsystem)cleaningor repairscausedbyfueldeterminedtobe contaminatedor oxidized(stale).Ingeneral,fuelshouldbe used

within30daysofitspurchasedate.

• Normaldeteriorationandwearoftheexteriorfinishes,or productlabelreplacement.

Thiswarrantyappliesonlywhilethis productisusedinthe UnitedStates.

Thiswarrantygivesyouspecificlegalrights,andyoumayalsohaveotherrightswhichvaryfromstatetostate.

Sears,Roebuckand Co.,NoffmanEstates, IL60179

EngineOilType: SAE5W-30

EngineOilCapacity: 20ounces

FuelCapacity: 3Quarts

SparkPlug: Champion®RC12YC

SparkPlugGap: .030"

ModelNumber.................................................................

Serial Number.................................................................

Dateof Purchase.............................................................

Recordthemodelnumber,serialnumber

anddateof purchaseabove

©SearsBrands,LLC

2

Thissymbolpointsoutimportantsafetyinstructionswhich,if not

followed,couldendangerthepersonalsafetyand/orpropertyof

yourselfandothers.Readandfollowall instructionsin thismanual

beforeattemptingtooperatethismachine.Failuretocomplywith

theseinstructionsmayresultin personalinjury.Whenyouseethis

symbol,HEEDITSWARNING!

CALIFORNIA PROPOSiTiON 65

EngineExhaust,someof itsconstituents,andcertainvehicle

componentscontainoremitchemicalsknowntoStateofCalifornia

tocausecancerandbirthdefectsorotherreproductiveharm,

Thismachinewasbuiltto beoperatedaccordingtothesafeopera-

tionpracticesin thismanual.Aswithanytypeofpowerequipment,

carelessnessor erroronthepartoftheoperatorcanresultinserious

injury.Thismachineiscapableofamputatingfingers,hands,toes

andfeetandthrowingdebris.Failuretoobservethefollowingsafety

instructionscouldresultinseriousinjuryor death.

Your Responsibility--Restrict theuseofthis powermachineto

personswhoread,understandandfollowthewarningsand instruc-

tionsin thismanualandon themachine,

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

TRAiNiNG

• Read,understand,andfollowall instructionson themachineand

in themanual(s)beforeattemptingtoassembleandoperate.

Keepthis manualinasafeplaceforfutureand regularreference

andfororderingreplacementparts.

• ReadtheOperator'sManualand followallwarningsand safety

instructions.Failuretodosocanresultin seriousinjurytothe

operatorand/orbystanders.Forquestionscall, 1-800-659-5917.

Befamiliarwithall controlsandtheirproperoperation.Knowhow

tostopthemachineanddisengagethemquickly.

• Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofagetooperatethis

machine.Children14andovershouldreadandunderstandthe

instructionsandsafeoperationpracticesin thismanualandon

themachineandbe trainedandsupervisedbyanadult.

Neverallowadultstooperatethis machinewithoutproper

instruction.

• Thrownobjectscancauseseriouspersonalinjury.Planyour

snow-throwingpatterntoavoiddischargeof materialtoward

roads,bystandersandthelike.

Keepbystanders,petsandchildrenat least75feetfromthe

machinewhileitisin operation.Stopmachineifanyoneenters

thearea.

• Exercisecautiontoavoidslippingor falling,especiallywhen

operatingin reverse.

PREPARATION

Thoroughlyinspecttheareawheretheequipmentistobeused.

Removeall doormats,newspapers,sleds,boards,wiresandother

foreignobjects,whichcouldbe trippedoverorthrownbytheauger/

impeller.

• Alwayswearsafetyglassesor eyeshieldsduringoperationand

whileperformingan adjustmentor repairto protectyoureyes.

Thrownobjectswhichricochetcancauseseriousinjurytothe

eyes.

Donotoperatewithoutwearingadequatewinteroutergarments.

Donotwearjewelry,longscarvesorotherlooseclothing,which

couldbecomeentangledin movingparts.Wearfootwearwhich

willimprovefootingonslipperysurfaces.

Usea groundedthree-wireextensioncordand receptacleforall

machineswithelectricstartengines.

Adjustcollectorhousingheighttocleargravelorcrushedrock

surfaces.

Disengageall controlleversbeforestartingtheengine.

• Neverattempttomakeanyadjustmentswhileengineis running,

exceptwherespecificallyrecommendedintheoperator'smanual.

Letengineandmachineadjusttooutdoortemperaturebefore

startingtoclearsnow.

3

SafeHandlingof Gasoline

Toavoidpersonalinjuryor propertydamageuseextremecarein

handlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammableandthevaporsare

explosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycanoccurwhengasolineisspilled

onyourselfor yourclotheswhichcanignite.Washyourskinand

changeclothesimmediately.

• Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.

• Extinguishall cigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersources

ofignition.

• Neverfuelmachineindoors.

• Neverremovegascapor addfuelwhiletheengineishot

or running.

• Allowenginetocoolat leasttwo minutesbeforerefueling.

• Neveroverfillfueltank.Filltanktono morethan1/2inch

belowbottomoffillerneckto providespaceforfuel

expansion.

• Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.

• Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeit offtheengineandequipment.

Movemachinetoanotherarea.Wait5 minutesbefore

startingtheengine.

• Neverstorethemachineor fuelcontainerinsidewhere

thereisanopenflame,sparkor pilotlight(e.g.furnace,

waterheater,spaceheater,clothesdryeretc.).

• Allowmachinetocoolatleast5 minutesbeforestoring.

• Neverfillcontainersinsidea vehicleor ona truckor trailer

bedwitha plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainersonthe

groundawayfromyourvehiclebeforefilling.

• If possible,removegas-poweredequipmentfromthetruck

ortrailerand refueliton theground.If thisisnotpossible,

thenrefuelsuchequipmentona trailerwitha portable

container,ratherthanfromagasolinedispensernozzle.

• Keepthenozzleincontactwiththe rimofthefueltankor

containeropeningatalltimesuntilfuelingiscomplete.Do

notusea nozzlelock-opendevice.

OPERATION

• Donotputhandsorfeetnear rotatingparts,in theauger/impeller

housingor chuteassembly.Contactwiththerotatingpartscan

amputatehandsandfeet.

• Theauger/impellercontrolleverisa safetydevice.Neverbypass

itsoperation.Doingsomakesthemachineunsafeandmaycause

personalinjury.

• Thecontrolleversmustoperateeasilyin bothdirectionsand

automaticallyreturntothedisengagedpositionwhenreleased.

• Neveroperatewitha missingor damagedchuteassembly.Keep

all safetydevicesin placeandworking.

• Neverrunanengineindoorsor ina poorlyventilatedarea.Engine

exhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,anodorlessanddeadlygas.

• Donotoperatemachinewhileundertheinfluenceofalcoholor

drugs.

• Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancausea burn.Donot

touch.Keepchildrenaway.

• Exerciseextremecautionwhenoperatingon orcrossinggravel

surfaces.Stayalertforhiddenhazardsor traffic.

• Exercisecautionwhenchangingdirectionandwhileoperatingon

slopes.

• Planyoursnow-throwingpatternto avoiddischargetowards

windows,walls,carsetc.Thus,avoidingpossibleproperty

damageor personalinjurycausedbya ricochet.

• Neverdirectdischargeatchildren,bystandersand petsor allow

anyoneinfrontofthemachine.

• Donotoverloadmachinecapacitybyattemptingtoclearsnowat

toofastof a rate.

• Neveroperatethis machinewithoutgoodvisibilityorlight.Always

be sureofyourfootingand keepa firmholdon thehandles.Walk,

neverrun.

• Disengagepowertotheauger/impellerwhentransportingor not

in use.

• Neveroperatemachineathightransportspeedson slippery

surfaces.Lookdownand behindand usecarewhenbackingup.

• Ifthemachineshouldstarttovibrateabnormally,stoptheengine,

disconnectthesparkplugwireandgrounditagainsttheengine.

Inspectthoroughlyfordamage.Repairanydamagebefore

startingandoperating.

• Disengageall controlleversandstopenginebeforeyouleave

theoperatingposition(behindthehandles).Waituntiltheauger/

impellercomestoa completestopbeforeuncloggingthechute

assembly,makinganyadjustments,or inspections.

• Neverputyourhandinthedischargeor collectoropenings.

Alwaysusetheclean-outtoolprovidedtounclogthedischarge

opening.Donotunclogchuteassemblywhileengineisrunning.

Shutoff engineand remainbehindhandlesuntilallmovingparts

havestoppedbeforeunclogging.

• Useonlyattachmentsandaccessoriesapprovedbythemanufac-

turer(e.g.wheelweights,tirechains,cabsetc.).

• Whenstartingengine,pullcordslowlyuntilresistanceisfelt,then

pull rapidly.Rapidretractionofstartercord(kickback)willpull

handandarmtowardenginefasterthanyoucanletgo.Broken

bones,fractures,bruisesor sprainscouldresult.

• Ifsituationsoccurwhichare notcoveredinthismanual,usecare

andgoodjudgment.ContactCustomerSupportforassistance

andthenameofyournearestservicingdealer.

4

MAINTENANCE & STORAGE

• Nevertamperwithsafetydevices.Checktheirproperoperation

regularly.Refertothemaintenanceandadjustmentsectionsof

thismanual.

• Beforecleaning,repairing,or inspectingmachinedisengageall

controlleversandstoptheengine.Waituntiltheauger/impeller

cometoa completestop.Disconnectthe sparkplugwireand

groundagainsttheenginetopreventunintendedstarting.

Checkboltsand screwsforpropertightnessatfrequentintervals

tokeepthemachineinsafeworkingcondition.Also,visually

inspectmachineforanydamage.

Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingor over-speedthe

engine.Thegovernorcontrolsthe maximumsafeoperatingspeed

oftheengine.

Snowthrowershaveplatesand skidshoesaresubjecttowear

anddamage.Foryoursafetyprotection,frequentlycheckall

componentsand replacewithoriginalequipmentmanufacturer's

(OEM)partsonly."Useofpartswhichdo notmeettheoriginal

equipmentspecificationsmayleadto improperperformanceand

compromisesafety!"

Checkcontrolleversperiodicallytoverifytheyengageanddisen-

gageproperlyandadjust,ifnecessary.Refertotheadjustment

sectioninthisoperator'smanualforinstructions.

Maintainor replacesafetyandinstructionlabels,asnecessary.

• Observeproperdisposallawsand regulationsforgas,oil,etc.to

protecttheenvironment.

Priorto storing,runmachinea few minutestoclearsnowfrom

machineand preventfreezeupofauger/impeller.

Neverstorethemachineorfuelcontainerinsidewherethereisan

openflame,sparkorpilotlightsuchasa waterheater,furnace,

clothesdryeretc.

Alwaysrefertotheoperator'smanualforproperinstructionson

off-seasonstorage.

Checkfuelline,tank,cap,andfittingsfrequentlyforcracksor

leaks.Replaceifnecessary.

Donotcrankenginewithsparkplugremoved.

AccordingtotheConsumerProductsSafetyCommission(CPSC)

andtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),thisproduct

hasan AverageUsefulLifeof seven(7)years,or 60 hoursof

operation.AttheendoftheAverageUsefulLifehavethemachine

inspectedannuallybyan authorizedservicedealertoensurethat

allmechanicalandsafetysystemsareworkingproperlyand not

wornexcessively.Failuretodo socanresultinaccidents,injuries

ordeath.

DO NOT MODIFY ENGINE

Toavoidseriousinjuryor death,do notmodifyengineinanyway.

Tamperingwiththegovernorsettingcanleadtoa runawayengineand

causeittooperateat unsafespeeds.Nevertamperwithfactorysetting

ofenginegovernor.

NOTICE REGARDING EMISSIONS

EngineswhicharecertifiedtocomplywithCaliforniaandfederal

EPAemissionregulationsforSORE(SmallOff RoadEquipment)are

certifiedtooperateon regularunleadedgasoline,and mayinclude

thefollowingemissioncontrolsystems:EngineModification(EM),

OxidizingCatalyst(OC),SecondaryAirInjection(SAI)and ThreeWay

Catalyst(TWO)if soequipped.

SPARK ARRESTOR

Thismachineisequippedwithaninternalcombustionengineand

shouldnotbe usedonor nearanyunimprovedforest-covered,

brush-coveredorgrass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaust

systemisequippedwithasparkarrestermeetingapplicablelocalor

statelaws(ifany)

Ifa sparkattesterisused,itshouldbemaintainedin effectiveworking

orderbytheoperator.IntheStateofCaliforniatheaboveis required

bylaw(Section4442oftheCaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Other

statesmayhavesimilarlaws.Federallawsapplyonfederallands.

A sparkarresterforthemufflerisavailablethroughyournearestSears

PartsandRepairServiceCenter.

SAFETY SYMBOLS

Thispagedepictsanddescribessafetysymbolsthatmayappearonthisproduct. Read,understand,andfollowall instructionson themachine

beforeattemptingtoassembleandoperate.

i

READ THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL(S)

Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the manual(s) before attempting to assemble and

operate

WARNING-- ROTATING BLADES

Keep hands out of inlet and discharge openings while machine is running. There are rotating blades

inside

WARNING-- ROTATING BLADES

Keep hands out of inlet and discharge openings while machine is running. There are rotating blades

inside

WARNING-- ROTATING AUGER

Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts, in the auger/impeller housing or chute assembly.

Contact with the rotating parts can amputate hands and feet.

WARNING--THROWN OBJECTS

This machine may pick up and throw and objects which can cause serious personal injury.

WARNING--GASOLINE ISFLAMMABLE

Allow the engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling.

WARNING-- CARBON MONOXIDE

Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area. Engine exhaust contains carbon

monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.

WARNING-- ELECTRICAL SHOCK

Do not use the engine's electric starter in the rain

6

1.KEEPAWAYFROMROTATINGiMPELLER

ANDAUGER,CONTACTWiTHiMPELLEROR

AUGERCANAMPUTATEHANDSANDFEET.

2. USECLEAN-OUTTOOLTOUNCLOG

DISCHARGECHUTE.

3.DISENGAGECLUTCHLEVERS,STOPENGINE,

AND REMAINBEHINDHANDLESUNTILALL

MOVING PARTSHAVESTOPPEDBEFORE

UNCLOGGING OR SERViCiNGMACHINE.

TO AVOIDTHROWN OBJECTSiNJURiES,

NEVERDIRECTDISCHARGEATBYSTANDERS.

USEEXTRACAUTIONWHEN OPERATINGON

GRAVELSURFACES.

5.BEAD OPERATOR'S MANUAL.

CLEAN-OUT TOOL

7

NOTE:Referencesto rightorleft sideofthesnowthrowerare

determinedfrombehindtheunitintheoperatingposition(standing

directlybehindthesnowthrower,facingthe handlepanel).

REMOVING FROM CARTON

1. Cutthecornersofthecartonandlaythesidesflatontheground.

Removeanddiscardallpackinginserts.

2. Movethesnowthroweroutofthecarton.

3. Makecertainthecartonhasbeencompletelyemptiedbefore

discardingit.

ASSEMBLY

1. Observethe lowerrearareaofthesnowthrowertobesureboth

cablesarealignedwith rollerguidesbeforepivotingthehandle

upward.

a. Placetheshiftleverin theF6position.

b. Pullupandbackon upperhandleasshownin Figure1.As

youare raisingthehandleupward,makesurethat bothends

ofthecentercablearepositionedproperlyinthebrackets.

Alignupperhandlewiththelowerhandle.

c. Tightenhandknobssecuringupperhandletolowerhandle.

Removeanddiscardanyrubberbands,ifpresent.Theyare

forpackagingpurposesonly.

2. Removewingnutandhexscrewfromchutecontrolassembly

andclevispinandcotterpinfromchutesupportbracket.See

Figure2.Positionthechuteassembly(forward-facing)overthe

chutebase.

3. Placechutecontrolleverinthecenteredposition.SeeFigure1.

4. Placechuteassemblyontochutebaseand securechutecontrol

assemblytochutesupportbracketwithclevispinand cotterpin

removedearlier.See Figure3.

f

Figure2

Figure1

8

Figure3

5. Finishsecuringchutecontrolassemblytochutesupportbracket

withwingnutandhexscrewremovedearlier.SeeFigure4.

6. Checkthatallcablesareproperlyroutedthroughthecableguide

onthelowerhandle.SeeFigure5.

7. Theextensioncordfortheelectricstarterisfastenedwithacable

tietotherearoftheaugerhousingforshippingpurposes.Cutthe

cabletieandremoveitbeforeoperatingtheunit.

SET-UP

Shear Pins

Holesare locatedintheplasticdashpanelforconvenientshearpin

storage.SeeFigure6. RefertotheOperationsectionformoreinforma-

tionregardingshearpinreplacement.

Figure5

f

/

\

Figure4

Figure6

J

9

Chute Clean-Out Tool

A chute clean-out tool isfastenedtothetopoftheaugerhousing

witha mountingclip.SeeFigure7.Thetoolisdesignedtocleara

chuteassemblyoficeandsnow.Thisitemis fastenedwith acabletie

atthefactory.Cutthecabletie beforeoperatingthesnowthrower.

Neveruseyourhandstocleara cloggedchuteassembly.Shut

loft engineand remainbehindhandlesuntilall movingpartshave

[stoppedbeforeusingtheclean-outtooltoclearthechuteassembly.

Tire Pressure

Beforeoperating,checktirepressureandreducepressurein bothtires

to between15psiand20 psi.

NOTE:Ifthetirepressureisnotequalinbothtires,theunitmaynot

travelina straightpathandtheshaveplatemaywearunevenly.

ADJUSTMENTS

Skid Shoes

Thesnowthrowerskidshoesareadjustedupwardatthefactoryfor

shippingpurposes.Adjustthemdownward,ifdesired,priortooperat-

ingthesnowthrower.

lit is notrecommendedthat this thrower

youoperate

snow on

gravel

as itcaneasilypickupandthrowloosegravel,causingpersonal

injuryordamagetothe snowthrowerandsurroundingproperty.

• Forclosesnowremovalon a smoothsurface,raiseskidshoes

higherontheaugerhousing.

• Usea middleor lowerpositionwhentheareatobeclearedis

uneven,suchasa graveldriveway

NOTE:Ifyouchooseto operatethesnowthrowerona gravelsurface,

keeptheskidshoesin positionformaximumclearancebetweenthe

groundandtheshaveplate.

Toadjusttheskidshoes:

1. Loosenthefourhexnuts(twoon eachside)andcarriagebolts.

Moveskidshoestodesiredposition.SeeFigure8.

2. Makecertaintheentirebottomsurfaceofskidshoeisagainstthe

groundtoavoidunevenwearon theskidshoes.

3. Retightennutsandboltssecurely.

Chute Clean=out Tool

Figure7

/

Figure8

10

Auger Control

Priortooperatingyoursnowthrower,carefullyreadand followall

instructionsbelow.Performalladjustmentstoverifyyoursnow

throwerisoperatingsafelyand properly.

Checktheadjustmentoftheaugercontrolasfollows:

1. Whentheaugercontrolis releasedandin thedisengaged"up"

position,thecableshouldhavevery littleslack.ItshouldNOTbe

tight.

2. Ina well-ventilatedarea,startthesnowthrowerengine.Referto

StartingtheEngineintheOperationsection.

3. Whilestandingintheoperator'sposition(behindthe snow

thrower),engagetheauger.

4. Allowtheaugertoremainengagedforapproximatelyten(10)

secondsbeforereleasingtheaugercontrol.Repeatthisseveral

times.

5. Withtheaugercontrolin thedisengaged"up"position,walktothe

frontofthemachine.

6. Confirmthattheaugerhascompletelystoppedrotatingand

showsNOsignsofmotion.If theaugershowsANYsignsof

rotating,immediatelyreturntotheoperator'spositionandshutoff

theengine.WaitforALLmovingpartstostopbeforeadjustingthe

augercontrol.

7. Toreadjustthecontrolcable,loosentheupperhexboltonthe

augercablebracket.SeeFigure9.

8. Positionthebracketupwardtoprovidemoreslack(or downward

toincreasecabletension).

9. Retightentheupperhexbolt.

10. Repeatsteps2-6aboveto verifyproperadjustmenthasbeen

achieved.

f

Figure9

11

f

Drive Control

Shift Lever

/

Four=WayChuteControP

/_ AugerControl

Chute Assembly

\

Gas Cap

'\

OU Fill

\

Wheel Steering Control

Clean Out

Tool

\

Augers Skid Shoe

Choke

Recoil Starter

Handle

Electric Star

Button

Key

Stop Switch

Electric

Starter

Outlet

Figure10

Nowthat youhavesetup yoursnowthrower,it'simportanttobecome NOTE:Donotturntheignitionkeyinan attemptto starttheengine.

acquaintedwith itscontrolsandfeatures.RefertoFigure10. Doingsomaycauseitto break.

SHIFT LEVER

Theshiftleverislocatedonthe rightsideofthehandlepanel.

Placetheshiftleverintoanyofeightpositionstocontrolthe

directionoftravelandgroundspeed.

Forward

6 CHOKE CONTROL

5 Thechokecontrolisfoundon therearoftheengineand isactivated

4 byturningtherotarychokeknobtotheCHOKEposition.Activating

thechokecontrolclosesthechokeplateon thecarburetorandaidsin

3 startingtheengine.

Yoursnowthrowerhassixforward(F)speeds.Positionone(1)is t 2

theslowestand positionsix (6) isthefastest. F 1

Reverse

Yoursnowthrowerhastwo reverse(R)speeds.One(1)isthe

slowerandtwo(2) isthefaster.

IGNITION KEY

Theignitionkeyisa safetydevice.It mustbefullyinsertedinorderfor

theenginetostart.Removetheignitionkeywhenthesnowthroweris

notinuse.

PRIMER

Depressingthe primerforcesfueldirectlyintotheengine'scarburetor

toaid incold-weatherstarting.

OIL FILL

Engineoil levelcanbecheckedandoiladdedthroughtheoil fill.

GAS CAP

Unthreadthegascaptoadd gasolinetothefueltank.

Meets ANSi Safety Standards

CraftsmanSnowThrowersconformtothesafetystandardoftheAmericanNationalStandardsInstitute(ANSI).

12

STOP SWITCH

PressintotheONpositionwhenstartingtheengineand willshutoff

theenginewhenmovedintotheOFFposition.

RECOIL STARTER HANDLE

Thishandleisusedto manuallystarttheengine.

ELECTRIC STARTER BUTTON

Pressingtheelectricstarterbuttonengagestheengine'selectric

starterwhenpluggedintoa 120Vpowersource.

ELECTRIC STARTER OUTLET

Requirestheuseof athree-prongoutdoorextensioncord(included)

anda 120Vpowersource/walloutlet.

AUGERS

Whenengaged,theaugersrotateanddrawsnowintotheauger

housing.

SKID SHOES

Positiontheskid shoesbasedon surfaceconditions.Adjustupward

forhard-packedsnow.Adjustdownwardwhenoperatingon gravelor

crushedrocksurfaces.

CHUTE ASSEMBLY

Snowdrawnintotheaugerhousingisdischargedoutthechute

assembly.

WHEEL STEERING CONTROLS

Theleft andrightwheelsteeringcontrolsarelocatedon theunderside

ofthehandles.Squeezetherightcontroltoturnright;squeezetheleft

controltoturnleft.

NOTE:Operatethesnowthrowerinopenareasuntilyouarefamiliar

withthesecontrols.

AUGER CONTROL

J AUGER

CONTROL

Theaugercontrolislocatedontheleft handle.Squeezethecontrol

gripagainstthehandletoengagetheaugersandstartsnowthrowing

action.Releasetostop.

DRIVE CONTROL/AUGER CONTROL LOCK

Thedrivecontrolis locatedon therighthandle.Squeezethecontrol

gripagainstthehandletoengagethewheeldrive.Releasetostop.

Thedrivecontrolalsolockstheaugercontrolsoyoucanoperate

thechutedirectionalcontrolwithoutinterruptingthesnowthrowing

process.If theaugercontrolisengagedsimultaneouslywiththedrive

control,theoperatorcanreleasetheaugercontrol(onthelefthandle)

andtheaugerswillremainengaged.Releasebothcontrolstostopthe

augersandwheeldrive.

NOTE:Alwaysreleasethedrivecontrolbeforechangingspeeds.

Failureto dosowillresultinincreasedwearon yourmachine'sdrive

system.

FOUR-WAY CHUTE CONTROL TM

f

CHUTE DiRECTiONAL CONTROL

CHUTETiLTgOWN

jPUSHHUTTOHi

CHUTEROTATE_

LEFT

jPUSHHUTTOHi

_ CHUTENOTATE

HIGHT

©

_.. CHUTETiLTUP j

Thefour-waychutecontrolTM iSlocatedontheleft sideofthehandle

panel.

* Tochangethedirectioninwhichsnowisthrown,squeezethe

buttononthechutecontrolleverand pivotthechutecontrollever

tothe rightortotheleft.

* Tochangetheangle/distancewhichsnowisthrown,pivotthe

chutecontrolleverforwardtotiltthechutedownand backwardto

tilt thechuteup.

13

CLEAN-OUT TOOL

Neveruseyourhandstocleara cloggedchuteassembly.Shut

loft engineand remainbehindhandlesuntilallmovingpartshave

lstoppedbeforeusingtheclean-outtooltoclearthechuteassembly.

Thechuteclean-outtoolisconvenientlyfastenedtotherearofthe

augerhousingwithamountingclip. Shouldsnowandicebecome

lodgedin thechuteassemblyduringoperation,proceedasfollowsto

safelycleanthechuteassemblyandchuteopening:

1. ReleaseboththeAugerControlandtheDriveControl.

2. Stoptheenginebyremovingtheignitionkey.

3. Removetheclean-outtoolfromtheclipwhichsecuresittothe

rearoftheaugerhousing.

4. Usetheshovel-shapedendof theclean-outtooltodislodgeand

scoopanysnowand icewhichhasformedin andnearthechute

assembly.

5. Refastentheclean-outtooltothemountingclipontherearof

theaugerhousing,reinserttheignitionkeyandstartthesnow

thrower'sengine.

6. Whilestandingintheoperator'sposition(behindthesnow

thrower),engagetheaugercontrolforafewsecondstoclearany

remainingsnowandicefromthechuteassembly.

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE

Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionsandwarningsonthe

machineand inthismanualbeforeoperating.

Oil

Theunitwasshippedwithoil intheengine.Checkoil levelbeforeeach

operationto ensureadequateoilintheengine.Forfurtherinstructions,

refertothestepsonpage16.

1. Removethedipstickfromtheoil fill.

2. Checkand makesurethatthelevelofoil isuptothe FULLmark

onthedipstick.

3. Iftheoil levelisnotupto FULL,pourfreshmotoroil (5W-30,with

a minimumclassificationofSF/SG/SH/SJ)slowlythroughthe

opening.Replaceoil filldipstickandcheckoillevelagain.

Gasoline

o Storegasolineinaclean,approvedcontainerandkeepthecapin

placeonthecontainer.

• Makesurethatthecontainerfromwhichyoupourthegasolineis

cleanandfreefromrustor otherforeignparticles.

Useextremecarewhenhandlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremely

flammableandthevaporsareexplosive.Neverfuelthemachine

indoorsorwhiletheengineishotor running.Extinguishcigarettes,

cigars,pipesandothersourcesof ignition.

Alwaysfillthefueltankoutdoorsand usea funnelor spoutto

preventspilling.

• Fillfueltankwithclean,fresh,unleadedgasolinewitha minimum

of85 octane.Freshfuelpreventsgumfromforminginthefuel

systemoronessentialcarburetorparts.Purchasefuelin a

quantitythatcanbeusedwithin30days.

• Neverfillthefueltankcompletely.Fillthetanktowithin1-1/2"

fromthetoptoprovidespaceforexpansionoffuel.

• Makesuretowipeoff anyspilledfuelbeforestartingtheengine.

STARTING THE ENGINE

1. Makecertainboththeaugercontrolanddrivecontrolarein the

disengaged(released)position.

2. Insertignitionkeyintoslot.Makesureitsnapsintoplace.Donot

attempttoturnthekey.

NOTE:Theenginecannotstartwithoutthekeyisfully insertedintothe

ignitionswitch.

Electric Starter

Determinethatyourhome'swiringisa three-wiregroundedsystem.

Aska licensedelectricianifyouarenotcertain.

Theoptionalelectricstarterisequippedwithagroundedthree-wire

powercordand plug,andisdesignedtooperateon 120voltAC

householdcurrent.It mustbeusedwitha properlygroundedthree-

prongreceptacleatalltimestoavoidthepossibilityof electricshock.

Followall instructionscarefullypriortooperatingtheelectricstarter.

DONOTuseelectricstarterin therain.

Ifyouhavea groundedthree-prongreceptacle,proceedasfollows:

1. Plugtheextensioncordintotheoutletlocatedon theengine's

surface.Plugtheotherendof extensioncordintoa three-prong

120-volt,grounded,ACoutletina well-ventilatedarea.

2. RotatechokecontroltoCHOKEI,._¢1position.

3. Depressprimer.If itis 15°For higherpushprimertwotimes,if

below15°F,pushprimerfourtimes.

14

4. PushStopswitchto ONposition.

5. Pushstarterbuttontostartengine.

2. Squeezethedrivecontrolagainstthehandleandthesnow

throwerwillmove.Releaseitanddrivemotionwillstop.

Toprolongstarterlife,useshortstartingcycles(5secondsmaximum

thenwaitoneminute).

6. Oncetheenginestarts,releasestarterbutton.

7. Allowtheenginetowarmup severalminutes,adjustingchoke

towardRUNposition.Waituntilenginerunssmoothlybeforeeach

chokeadjustment.

8. Whendisconnectingtheextensioncord,alwaysunplugtheend

atthethree-prongwalloutletbeforeunpluggingtheoppositeend

fromthesnowthrower.

Recoil Starter

1. RotatechokecontroltoCHOKE IJl position.

2. Depressprimer.Ifit is 15°For higherpushprimertwotimes,if

below15°F,pushprimerfourtimes.

3. PushStopswitchto ONposition.

4. Grasptherecoilstarterhandleand slowlypullthe ropeout.At

thepointwhereitbecomesslightlyhardertopulltherope,slowly

allowtheropeto recoil.

5. Pullthestarterhandlewitha firm,rapidstroke.Donotrelease

thehandleandallowittosnapback.Keepa firmholdonthe

starterhandleandallowittoslowlyrecoil.

6. Allowtheenginetowarmup severalminutes,adjustingchoke

towardRUNposition.Waituntilenginerunssmoothlybeforeeach

chokeadjustment.

STOPPING THE ENGINE

Afteryouarefinishedsnow-throwing,runenginefora fewminutes

beforestoppingtohelpdryoffanymoistureontheengine.

1. PushStopswitchto OFFposition.

2. Removetheignitionkeyandstoreinasafeplace.

3. Wipeall snowandmoisturefromtheareaaroundtheengineas

wellastheareainandaroundthedrivecontrolandaugercontrol.

Also,engageand releasebothcontrolsseveraltimes.

TO ENGAGE DRIVE

1. Moveshiftleverintooneofthesixforward(F) positionsor two

reverse(R)positions.Selecta speedappropriateforthesnow

conditionsand a paceyou'recomfortablewith.

NOTE: Whenselectinga DriveSpeed,usetheslowerspeedsuntil

youarecomfortableandfamiliarwiththeoperationofthesnow

thrower.

NOTE:NEVERrepositiontheshiftlever(changespeedsor direction

oftravel)withoutfirstreleasingthedrivecontrolandbringingthesnow

throwertoa completestop.Doingsowill resultin prematurewearto

thesnowthrower'sdrivesystem.

TO ENGAGE AUGERS

1. Toengagetheaugersandstartthrowingsnow,squeezethe

augercontrolagainstthelefthandle.Releasetostoptheaugers.

REPLACING SHEAR PINS

Theaugersare securedtothespiralshaftwithfourshearpinsand

bow-tieclips.Iftheaugershouldstrikea foreignobjector icejam,

thesnowthrowerisdesignedsothattheshearpinsmayshear.If the

augerswillnotturn,checktoseeifthepinshavesheared.SeeFigure

11.

NEVERreplacetheaugershearpinswithanythingotherthanSears

PartNo.88389replacementshearpins.Anydamagetotheauger

gearboxor othercomponentsasa resultoffailingtodosowillNOT

becoveredbyyoursnowthrower'swarranty.

Alwaysturnoff thesnowthrower'sengineand removethekeypriorto

replacingshearpins.

\\

/

/ ©

Figure11

J

15

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Beforeperforminganytypeofmaintenance/service,disengageall

controlsandstoptheengine.Waituntilallmovingpartshavecometo

acompletestop.Disconnectsparkplugwireandgrounditagainstthe

enginetopreventunintendedstarting.Alwayswearsafetyglassesduring

operationor whileperforminganyadjustmentsorrepairs.

Followthemaintenanceschedulegivenbelow.Thischartdescribes

serviceguidelinesonly.UsetheServiceLogcolumntokeeptrackof

completedmaintenancetasks.Tolocate the nearest SearsService

Centeror toscheduleservice,simplycontactSearsat

1-800-4-MY-HOME®.

EachUseandevery5

hours

1st5 hours

Annuallyor25hours

Annuallyor50hours

Annuallyor 100hours

BeforeStorage

1 Underheavyloadorinhightemperatures

1. Engineoil level

2. Looseor missinghardware

3. Unitandengine.

1. Engineoil

1. Engine0i11-

2. Controllinkagesandpivots

3. Wheels

4. GearshaftandAugershaft

5. 4-WayChuteControlTM

1. Engineoil

1. Sparkplug

1. Fuelsystem

1. Check

2. Tightenor replace

3. Clean

1. Change

2. Lubewith lightoil

3. Lubewith multipurposeautogrease

4. Lubewith lightoil

5. Checkforcableslackness

1. Change

1. Runengineuntilitstopsfromlack

offuel

ENGINE MAINTENANCE

lBeforelubricating,repairing,or inspecting,disengage

all controls

and stopengine.Waituntilall movingpartshavecometoa complete

stop.

Checking Engine Oil

1. Besureengineisuprightandlevel

2. Unscrewoilfillcapfromoilfillertubeandwipedipstickclean.

3. Screwoilfillcapbackintooil fillertube.Tightensecurely.

4. Unscrewandremoveoil fillcapfromoil fillertube.Noteoillevel.

Ifoil readingondipstickisbelow"ADD"mark,slowlyaddoilto

reach"FULL"level.SeeFigure12.

5. Screwoilfillcapbackintooil fillertube.Tightensecurely.

6. Wipeawayanyspilledoil.

Changing Engine Oil

Toavoidenginedamage,it isimportantto:

• Checkoil levelbeforeeachuseandeveryeightoperatinghours.

• Changeoilafterfirst5 to8operatinghoursandevery50operat-

inghoursoroncea seasonthereafter.

1. Placeengineleveland removesafetykey.

2. Disconnectsparkplugwireandkeepitawayfromsparkplug.

(Refertonextsection).If connected,disconnectextensioncord

frompowersource.

f

16

,,.J

,,,,J

13

Maintain oil level

at FULL

Figure12

J

3. WithengineOFFbutstillwarm,removeoildrainpluganddrainoil

intoanappropriatereceptacle.SeeFigure13.

Usedoilisahazardouswasteproduct.Disposeofusedoilproperly.

Donotdiscardwithhouseholdwaste.Checkwithyourlocalauthori-

tiesorSearsServiceCenterforsafedisposal/recyclingfacilities.

.

5.

Reinstalloildrainplugandtightensecurely.

Refilltheenginewith recommendedoil.SeeRecommendedOil

Usagechart.Theengine'soil capacityis20ounces.

Recommended Oil Usage

I

SiUiheiic 5W 3Q:i O_io

6. Wipeawayanyspilledoil.

Checking Spark Plug

Checksparkplugyearlyor every100operatinghours.

1. Removechokecontrolknobandsafetykey.

2. Loosenand removethemountingscrewsfromthesnowhood.

SeeFigure14.

3. Slowlyremovethesnowhood,makingsurethattheprimerbulb

hoseandignitionwireremainconnected.SeeFigure14inset.

4. Removeandinspectsparkplug.

5. Replacesparkplugifporcelainiscrackedorifelectrodesare

pitted,burnedorfouledwithdeposits.

6. Checkelectrodegapwitha feelergaugeandsetgapto .030

(0.76ram)ifnecessary.SeeFigure15.

7. Reinstallsparkplugandtightensecurely.

8. Remountthe snowhoodtotheenginewith themountingscrews,

againmakingsuretheprimerbulbhoseandignitionwireare

connected.

9. Connectthechokecontrolknobto thechokeshaftonthe

carburetor.Ifthechokecontrolknobisnotinstalledcorrectly,the

chokewillnotoperate.

10. Installthesafetykey.

NOTE:A resistorsparkplugmustbeusedforreplacement.Contacta

SearsPartsand RepairCenterfora replacementsparkplug.

Carburetor

Enginesoperatedatabout3000to5000feet(900to 1500meters)

abovesealevelmayrequireahighaltitudecarburetormainjet. If

erraticperformanceisobserved,contacta SearsPartsand Repair

Centerforcosttoinstall/purchasea highaltitudecarburetormainjet.

Oil Drain

Figure13

g

Screws

f

2

Figure14

1..030 (.76mm)Gap

2. Electrodes

3. Porcelain

Figure15

17

Engine Speed

Toavoidseriousinjuryordeath,DONOTmodifyengineinany

way.Tamperingwiththegovernorsettingcancausetheengineand

equipmentto operateatunsafespeeds.NEVERtamperwithfactory

settingofenginegovernor.Runningtheenginefasterthanthespeed

setatthefactoryisdangerous.

LUBRICATION

Gear Shaft

Thegear(hex)shaftshouldbe lubricatedatleastoncea seasonor

afterevery25 hoursofoperation.

1. Topreventspillage,removeall fuelfromtank byrunningengine

untilitstops.

2. Carefullypivotthesnowthrowerupandforwardsothat itrestson

theaugerhousing.

3. Removethe lowerframecoverfromtheundersideofthesnow

throwerbyremovingthefourself-tappingscrewswhichsecureit.

4. Applya lightcoatingofengineoil (or3-in-1oil)tothehexshaft.

SeeFigure16.

NOTE:Whenlubricatingthehexshaft,becarefulnottogetanyoilon

thealuminumdriveplateor rubberfrictionwheel.Doingsowillhinder

thesnowthrower'sdrivesystem.Wipeoff anyexcessor spilledoil.

Wheels

Atleastoncea season,removebothwheels.Cleanandcoattheaxles

witha multipurposeautomotivegreasebeforereinstallingwheels.

Auger Shaft

Atleastoncea season,removetheshearpinson augershaft.Spray

lubricantinsideshaft,andaroundthespacersandflangebearings

foundateitherendoftheshaft.SeeFigure17.

SHAVE PLATE AND SKID SHOES

Theshaveplateand skidshoesonthebottomofthesnowthrowerare

subjecttowear.Theyshouldbecheckedperiodicallyandreplaced

whennecessary.

Toremoveskidshoes:

1. Removethefourcarriagebolts,washers,andhexflangenuts

whichsecurethemtothesnowthrower.

2. Reassemblenewskidshoeswiththefourcarriagebolts(twoon

eachside),washers,andhexflangenuts.RefertoFigure18.

Toremoveshaveplate:

1. Removethecarriageboltsand hexnutswhichattachit tothe

snowthrowerhousing.

2. Reassemblenewshaveplate,makingsureheadsofcarriage

boltsaretotheinsideof housing.Tightensecurely.SeeFigure18.

Figure16

f

/

Figure17

J

\\

Figure18

18

ADJUSTMENTS

Shift Cable

If thefull rangeofspeeds(forwardandreverse)cannotbe achieved,

refertothefiguretotherightandadjusttheshiftcableasfollows:

1. Placetheshiftleverin thefastest forwardspeedposition(F6).

2. Loosenthehex nuton theshiftcableindexbracket.SeeFigure

19.

3. Pivotthebracketdownwardtotakeupslackinthecable.

4. Retightenthehexnut.

Drive Control

Whenthedrivecontrolisreleasedandin thedisengaged"up"position,

thecableshouldhaveverylittleslack.ItshouldNOTbetight.Also,

ifthereisexcessiveslackin thedrivecableor iftheunitexperiences

intermittentdrivewhileusing,thecablemayneedtobeadjusted.

Checktheadjustmentofthedrivecontrolasfollows:

1. Withthedrivecontrolreleased,pushthesnowthrowergently

forward.Theunitshouldrollfreely.

2. Engagethedrivecontrolandgentlyattempttopushthesnow

throwerforward.Thewheelsshouldnotturn.Theunitshouldnot

rollfreely.

3. Withthedrivecontrolreleased,movetheshiftleverbackand

forthbetweenthe R2positionandtheF6positionseveraltimes.

Thereshouldbeno resistancein theshiftlever.

4. If anyoftheabovetestsfailed,thedrivecableisin needofadjust-

ment.Proceedasfollows:

5. Loosenthelowerhexboltonthedrivecablebracket.SeeFigure

20.

6. Positionthebracketupwardtoprovidemoreslack(or downward

toincreasecabletension).

7. Retightenthelowerhexbolt.

Chute Control

Oncea seasonorevery25hoursofoperation,whicheverisearlier,

checkwhetherthefour-waychutecontrolTM cableshaveslackened.If

thechutedoesnotrotatefully,thechutecontrolcableswillhavetobe

adjusted.RefertoFigure21.

f

Figure20

Figure21

J

19

Toadjustthesecables,proceedasfollows:

1. Usinga 1/2"wrench,loosentheupperandlowerhexnutsfoundon

onecableadjuster.

2. Graspthe metalcablehousingandgentlypushupwardtotake

up slack(usuallynomorethan1/4-inch)inthecablebefore

retighteningbothhexnuts.

3. Repeatontheothercableadjusteruntilthechuteassemblyhas

fullrangefromleft-to-right.

Auger Control

RefertotheAssemblysectionforinstructionsonadjustingtheauger

controlcable.

Skid Shoes

RefertotheAssemblysectionforinstructionsonadjustingtheskid

shoes.

/

BELT REPLACEMENT

Auger Belt

Toremoveandreplaceyoursnowthrower'saugerbelt,proceedas

follows:

1. Topreventspillage,removeall fuelfromtank byrunningengine

untilitstops.

2. Removethe plasticbeltcoveronthefrontoftheenginebyremov-

ingthetwoself-tappingscrews.SeeFigure22.

3. Rolltheaugerbeltofftheenginepulley.See Figure23.

4. Carefullypivotthesnowthrowerupandforwardsothat itrestson

theaugerhousing.

5. Removetheframecoverfromtheundersideofthesnowthrower

byremovingfourself-tappingscrewswhichsecureit.SeeFigure

24.

6. Removethe beltasfollows.RefertoFigure25.

a. Loosenand removetheshoulderscrewwhichactsasa belt

keeper.

b. Unhookthe supportbracketspringfromtheframe.

f

Figure23

J

f _ f

Figure25 Figure24

J

Page is loading ...

MTD 31AH5WTG799 Owner's manual

This manual is also suitable for

MTD 31AH5WTG799 Owner's manual

in other languages

Related papers

Other documents