5
SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES
Operation
1. 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.
2. The auger/impeller control lever is a safety device. Never bypass its
operation. Doing so makes the machine unsafe and may cause personal
injury.
3. The control levers must operate easily in both directions and automatically
return to the disengaged position when released.
4. Never operate with a missing or damaged chute assembly. Keep all safety
devices in place and working.
5. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area. Engine exhaust
contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.
6. Do not operate machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
7. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do not touch.
8. Exercise extreme caution when operating on or crossing gravel surfaces.
Stay alert for hidden hazards or traffic.
9. Exercise caution when changing direction and while operating on slopes.
10. Plan your snow-throwing pattern to avoid discharge towards windows,
walls, cars etc. Thus, avoiding possible property damage or personal
injury caused by a ricochet.
11. Never direct discharge at children, bystanders and pets or allow anyone in
front of the machine.
12. Do not overload machine capacity by attempting to clear snow at too fast
of a rate.
13. Never operate this machine without good visibility or light. Always be sure
of your footing and keep a firm hold on the handles. Walk, never run.
14. Disengage power to the auger/impeller when transporting or not in use.
15. Never operate machine at high transport speeds on slippery surfaces.
Look down and behind and use care when backing up.
16. If the machine should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the engine,
disconnect the spark plug wire and ground it against the engine. Inspect
thoroughly for damage. Repair any damage before starting and operating.
17. Disengage all control levers and stop engine before you leave the operat-
ing position (behind the handles). Wait until the auger/impeller comes
to a complete stop before unclogging the chute assembly, making any
adjustments, or inspections.
18. Never put your hand in the discharge or collector 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.
19. Use only attachments and accessories approved by the manufacturer (e.g.
wheel weights, tire chains, cabs etc.).
20. If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use care and
good judgment. Contact your Sears Service Center for assistance.
Maintenance & Storage
1. Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly.
Refer to the maintenance and adjustment sections of this manual.
2. Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting machine 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.
3. Check bolts and screws for proper tightness at frequent intervals to keep
the machine in safe working condition. Also, visually inspect machine for
any damage.
4. Do not change the engine governor setting or over-speed the engine. The
governor controls the maximum safe operating speed of the engine.
5. Snow thrower shave plates and skid shoes are subject to 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!”
6. Check controls periodically to verify they engage and disengage properly
and adjust, if necessary. Refer to the adjustment section in this operator’s
manual for instructions.
7. Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as necessary.
8. Observe proper disposal laws and regulations for gas, oil, etc. to protect
the environment.
9. Prior to storing, run machine a few minutes to clear snow from machine
and prevent freeze up of auger/impeller.
10. Never store the machine or fuel container inside where there is an open
flame, spark or pilot light such as a water heater, furnace, clothes dryer
etc.
11. Always refer to the operator’s manual for proper instructions on off-season
storage.
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 sys-
tems: Engine Modification (EM) and Three Way Catalyst (TWC) if so equipped.
Engine Identification Decal
This decal indicates the engine’s model number, specification and the date of
manufacture. Please look at the decal on the engine of your equipment and
record these information for future reference.
The engine identification decal also includes engine life specifications for the
emissions-related useful life period of the engine. This period relates to the
emission compliance life as certified by EPA and/or CARB. To find the life period
specification of the engine, please read the engine decal and locate the letter
(enclosed by quotation marks) between the words Moderate and Life Period.
Match one of the following letters with the letter printed on your decal. For
example, HMSK 80 models are designated as:
“C” — 250 hours
“B” — 500 hours
“A” — 1000 hours
