Craftsman C950-52126-0, Owner'S Manual

Page: 17 / 108

17
OPERATION
CLEAR A CLOGGED DISCHARGE CHUTE
WARNING: Hand contact with the rotating impeller
inside the discharge chute is the most common cause of
injury associated with snowthrowers. Never clear or
unclog discharge chute with your hands, or while engine
is running. Fingers can quickly become caught and
traumatic amputation or severe laceration can result.
OPERATING TIPS
1. Most efficient snowthrowing is accomplished when snow is
removed immediately after it falls.
2. For complete snow removal, slightly overlap each swath previ-
ously taken.
3. Snow should be discharged downwind whenever possible.
4. For normal usage, set the skids 1/8 inch (3 mm) below the
scraper bar. For extremely hard-packed snow surfaces, the
skids may be adjusted upward to ensure cleaning efficiency.
5. On gravel or crushed rock surfaces, the skids should be set at
1-1/4 inch (32 mm) below the scraper bar (see “Adjust Skid
Height” in the
Maintenance section of this manual). Rocks
and gravel must not be picked up and thrown by the machine.
6. After the snowthrowing job has been completed, allow the en-
gine to idle for a few minutes, to melt snow and ice accumu-
lated on the engine.
7. Clean the snowthrower thoroughly after each use.
8. Remove ice and snow accumulation and all debris from the
entire snowthrower, and flush with water (if possible) to re-
move all salt or other chemicals. Wipe snowthrower dry.
9. Before starting snowthrower, always inspect augers and im-
peller for ice accumulation and/or debris, which could result in
snowthrower damage.
10. Check oil level before every start. Make sure the oil is at the
FULL mark on the oil fill cap/dipstick.
Figure 11
A
• SHUT OFF THE ENGINE!
• Wait 10 seconds to be sure that the impeller blades have
stopped rotating.
• Always use a clean-out tool, not your hands.
A clean-out tool ( A , Figure 11) is attached to either the handle or the
top of the auger housing. Use the clean-out tool to remove snow from
the auger housing.