Craftsman 486.248531 - Manual (Page 16)

RAISING AND LOWERING
• To raise, push down on the lift handle until the
snow thrower locks in the raised transport position.
• To lower, push down slightly on the lift handle and
pull the trigger. With the trigger pulled, slowly lower
the snow thrower until it reaches the ground.
A
CAUTION: Do not operate the snow
thrower without the rear weight attached
to the tractor to provide extra traction
and stability.
REMOVING SNOW
Snow removal conditions vary greatly from light fluffy
snowfall to wet heavy snow. Operating instructions
must be flexible to fit the conditions encountered. The
operator must adapt the lawn tractor and snow thrower
to depth of snow, wind direction, temperature and
surface conditions.
• Before beginning operation, thoroughly inspect the
area of operation and remove all door mats, sleds,
boards, wires and other foreign objects.
• The spiral auger speed is directly related to engine
speed. For maximum snow removal and discharge,
maintain high engine r.p.m. (full throttle). It is
advisable to operate the lawn tractor at a slow
ground speed (1st gear) for safe and efficient snow
removal.
• In deep, drifted or banked snow it will be necessary
to use full throttle and a slow ground speed (1st
gear). Drive forward into the snow, depress the
tractor’s clutch-brake pedal and allow the spiral
auger to clear the snow. Repeat this method until a
path is cleared. On the second pass, overlap the
first enough to allow the snow thrower to handle
the snow without repeated stopping and starting of
forward motion.
In extremely deep snow, raise the snow thrower
from the ground to remove the top layer and drive
forward only until the tractors front tires reach the
uncleared bottom layer of snow. Depress the
tractor's clutch-brake pedal and allow the spiral
auger to clear the snow. Reverse the tractor and
lower the snow thrower to the ground. Drive the
tractor forward until the snow again becomes too
deep. Repeating this process into and out of drifts
will eventually clear even the deepest of snow
piles.
If the snow thrower becomes clogged with snow or
jammed with a foreign object, disengage the snow
thrower immediately and shut off the tractor engine.
Unclog the snow thrower before resuming opera­
tion.
A
DANGER: Shut off engine and
disengage snow thrower before
unclogging discharge chute. Unclog
using a wooden stick, not your hands.
OPERATING TIPS
• Discharge snow down wind whenever possible.
• To help prevent snow from sticking to the snow
thrower, allow the snow thrower to reach outdoor
temperature before using it. A light coat of wax may
also be applied to the inside surface of the snow
thrower housing and discharge chute.
• Use tire chains to improve traction.
• Use rear wheel weights to improve traction.
• Before the first snowfall, remove ail stones, sticks
and other objects which could become hidden by
the snow. Permanent obstacles should be marked
for visibility.
• Overlap each pass slightly to assure complete
snow removal.
MAINTENANCE
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES
• Read and follow the maintenance schedule and the maintenance procedures listed In this section.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Fill in dates as you
complete regular service.
Service Dales
Check for loose fasteners X
Check scraper and shoes for wear X X
Cleaninq X
Lubrication Section X
LUBRICATION
• Oil all pivot points on the snow thrower.
• Oil the pivot points of the two idler arms on the
clutch/idier assembly.
• Apply penetrating oil to the control cables of the
discharge chute.
• Apply a good grade of spray lubricant to the trigger
assembly and the chute tilt control assembly.
CHECK SCRAPER AND SHOES FOR WEAR
(Refer to figures 29 and 30 on page 17.)
• The scraper plate and skid shoes on the bottom of
the snow thrower are subject to wear. To prevent
damage to the spiral auger housing, replace plate
and shoes before wear is excessive.
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