• Stop engine and wait several minutes before checking oil level. Remove oil fill cap and dipstick. • Wipe dipstick clean, insert it into oil fill hole and tighten securely. • Remove dipstick and check. If oil is not up to the FULL mark on dipstick, add oil. Changing Oil Change engine oil after first two hours of operation and every 25 hours thereafter. In order to change the oil, you will have to first drain the spent engine oil from the engine and then refill with fresh oil. • Drain oil while engine is warm. Remove oil drain cap located at the bottom of the recoil starter of the engine. Catch oil in a suitable container. • When engine is drained of all oil, replace drain plug securely. • Remove the dipstick from the oil fill. For location of the oil fill, see Figure 17. Pour fresh oil slowly through the plug. Replace dipstick. WARNING: Temperature of muffler and nearby areas may exceed 150o F(65oC). Avoid these areas. Spark Plug • Clean area around the spark plug base. • Remove and inspect the spark plug. • Replace the spark plug if electrodes are pitted, burned, or the porcelain is cracked. See Figure 25 . • Clean the spark plug and reset the gap to 0.030" at least once a season or every 50 hours of operation. See Figure 25 . • Spark plug replacement is recommended at the start of each season. Refer to engine parts list for correct spark plug type. NOTE: Do not sandblast spark plug. Spark plug should be cleaned by scraping or wire brushing and washing with a commercial solvent. Electrodes .030” Porcelain Gap Figure 25 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE Beforeeachuse Aftereachuse FirsttSERVICE DATES wohours Every25hours Every50hours Beforestorage PRODUCTLubricate pivot points Clean snow thrower Clean shave plate Clean skid shoes Check V-belts Check friction wheel rubber ENGINE Check engine oil Change engine oil Check spark plug Check muffler Empty fuel system 19 20 Adjustments Chute Assembly The distance that snow is thrown can be adjusted by adjusting the angle of the chute assembly. Refer to the Controls section of this manual. • The remote chute control cables have been preadjusted at the factory. Move the remote chute lever on the control panel back and forward to adjust angle of the chute asssembly. Skid Shoe The space between the shave plate and the ground can be adjusted. For close snow removal, place skid shoes in the low position. Use middle or high position when area to be cleared is uneven. • Adjust skid shoes by loosening the four hex nuts and carriage bolts and moving skid shoes to desired position. • Make certain the entire bottom surface of skid shoe is against the ground to avoid uneven wear on the skid shoes. • Retighten nuts and bolts securely. NOTE: It is not recommended that you operate this snow thrower on gravel as loose gravel can be easily picked up and thrown by the auger causing an injury or damage to the snow thrower. • If for some reason, you have to operate the snow thrower on gravel, keep the skid shoe in the highest position for maximum clearance between the ground and the shave plate. Traction Drive Clutch Refer to the Final Adjustment section of the Assembly instructions to adjust the traction drive clutch. To check the adjustment, proceed as follows: • With the snow thrower tipped forward (be certain to drain the gasoline or place plastic film under the gas cap if the snow thrower has already been operated), remove the frame cover underneath the snow thrower by removing sixself-tapping screws. • With the traction drive clutch released, there must be clearance between the friction wheel and the drive plate in all positions of the shift lever. • With the traction drive clutch engaged, the friction wheel must contact the drive plate (Figure 34). • If adjustment is necessary, loosen the jam nut on the traction drive cable and thread the cable in or out as necessary. See Figure 26 . Tighten the jam nut to secure the cable when correct adjustment is reached. Reassemble the frame cover. NOTE: If you placed plastic under the gas cap, be certain to remove it. Auger Clutch To adjust the auger clutch, refer to Final Adjustment section of Set-Up Instructions. Figure 26 Shift Rod To adjust the shift rod, proceed as follows. • Remove the hairpin clip and flat washer from the shift handle under the handle panel. • Place shift lever in sixth (6) position or the fastest forward speed. • Push shift arm assembly down as far as it will go. • Rotate the ferrule up or down on the shift rod as necessary until the ferrule lines up with the upper hole in the shift lever. See Figure 26 . • Insert ferrule from the left side of the snowthrower into the upper hole in shift lever. • Reinstall the hairpin clip and the washer. • Check for correct adjustment before operating the snow thrower. WARNING: Always stop the engine, disconnect spark plug wire and move it away from the spark plug before performing any adjustments or repairs. WARNING: Never attempt to clean chute or make any adjustments while engine is running....