21” & 24” SNOW THROWERS MODELS # 101486 & 101487 Operation Manual ! This safety alert symbol identifies important safety messages in this manual. Failure to follow this important safety information may result in serious injury or death.
For Service or Questions Call 1-877-487-8275 720-287-5182 www.dirtyhandtools.
Table of Contents Important Safety Information ......................................................4 Overview.........................................................................................7 Assembly.........................................................................................8 Filling with Gasoline and Oil........................................................10 Operation Precautions...................................................................11 Operation Controls..............
Important Safety Information ! WARNING WARNING: Read and thoroughly understand all instructions and safety information before operating this Snow thrower. Failure to do so may cause serious injury or death. Do not allow anyone to operate this Snow thrower who has not read this manual. As with all power equipment, a snow thrower can be dangerous if used improperly. Do not operate this snow thrower if you have doubts or questions concerning safe operation.
Important Safety Information General Safety Failure to follow warnings, cautions, assembly and operation instructions in the Operation Manual may result in serious injury or death. ! DANGER READ THE OPERATION MANUAL BEFORE OPERATION. •D o not permit children to operate this equipment at any time. Do not permit others that have not read and understood the complete Operation Manual to operate this equipment. •D o not operate the snow thrower when under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication.
Important Safety Information Safety Decals Safety labels on the snow thrower are to remind you of important information while you are operating the unit. Make sure all safety warning decals are attached and in readable condition. Replace missing or defaced decals. Contact Dirty Hand Tools at 1-877-487-8275 for replacement decals. DANGER DANGER AVOID INJURY FROM ROTATING AUGER! KEEP HANDS, FEET AND CLOTHING AWAY! DANGER 1. KEEP AWAY FROM ROTATING IMPELLER AND AUGER.
Overview Your snow thrower requires some assembly. Save the packing materials and box for future use as a storage container. COMPLETELY READ AND UNDERSTAND THE OPERATOR’S MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THE SNOW THROWER.
Assembly Handlebar and Contol Assembly 1. Hex bolts and nylon lock nuts have been provided in a hardware package. Align the two holes at each end of the handlebar with the two holes in the handlebar support on the snow thrower. Push hex bolts through from the outside and secure with a nylon lock bolt on the interior in two places on either side of the snow thrower. Tighten securely (see Figure 1). HEX BOLT & NYLON LOCK NUT (4 PLACES) 2.
Assembly CHUTE TILT DISCHARGE CHUTE HANDLE Attaching the Discharge Chute 1. Attach the discharge chute and handle to the snow thrower by placing it on the chute seat on the snow thrower, aligning the holes in three places and pushing a bolt from the inside out, through the chute and chute handle and securing with a nylon lock nut on the exterior (see Figure 4).
Filling with Gasoline and Oil ! WARNING FUEL IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE AND POISONOUS ALWAYS FILL THE TANK WITH ENGINE OFF AND COOL. ALWAYS CHECK THE FUEL LEVEL BEFORE OPERATING. Allow the engine to cool for at least two minutes before removing the fuel cap. 1. Place the snow thrower on a level surface outdoors to fuel. 2. The fuel tank holds approximately 6.1 gallons of fuel. 87+ octane unleaded gasoline is recommended. Do not fill above the top of the fuel filter.
Operation Precautions ! DANGER COMPLETELY READ AND UNDERSTAND THIS MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THE SNOW THROWER 1. K eep all safety guards in place and in proper working order at all times. 2. N EVER place fingers, hands, or body near the snow thrower when it is running. Do not lean or reach over the snow thrower when the machine is running. ! DANGER STOP THE ENGINE TO UNCLOG THE DISCHARGE CHUTE. NEVER USE YOUR HAND TO CLEAN OUT THE DISCHARGE CHUTE OR AUGERS. 3.
Operation Precautions ! CAUTION DISENGAGE ALL CONTROL LEVERS AND STOP THE ENGINE BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE OPERATING POSITION. Wait until the auger/impeller comes to a complete stop before unclogging the chute assembly, making any adjustments, or inspections. 1. Exercise caution to avoid slipping or falling, especially when operating in reverse. 2. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be used. Remove all foreign objects, which could be tripped over or thrown by the auger/impeller. 3.
Operation Control SHIFT LEVER Shift Lever The shift lever is located between the handles on the arm rest. Place the shift lever into any of seven positions to control the direction of travel and ground speed. (see Figure 6). Forward There are four forward (F) speeds. Position one (1) is the slowest and position five (4) is the fastest. Reverse There is one reverse (R) speed. Figure 6 DRIVE CONTROL LEVER Drive Control The drive control is located on the left handle (see Figure 7).
Operation ! THROTTLE CAUTION DO NOT START THE ENGINE WITHOUT FILLING WITH OIL Make sure the auger control and drive control are in the disengaged (released) position. Starting the Engine 1. To start a cold engine, move the choke to the CHOKE position (to the left). To restart a warm engine, leave the Choke in the RUN position (to the right). (See Figure 9). 2. Push the primer two or three times for cold engine start, making sure to cover vent hole in the center of the primer when pushing.
Operation Engaging the Drive and Auger Controls 1. W ith the throttle control in the fast position, move shift lever into one of the five forward (F) or two reverse (R) positions. Select a speed appropriate for the snow conditions and a pace you’re comfortable with. When selecting a drive speed, use slower speeds until you are familiar with the operation of the snow thrower. 2. S queeze the auger control against the handle and the auger will turn. Release it and the augers will stop. 3.
Maintenance ! WARNING BEFORE PERFORMING ANY MAINTENANCE PROCEDURE STOP THE ENGINE, WAIT FIVE (5) MINUTES TO ALLOW ALL PARTS TO COOL. Disconnect the spark plug wire, keeping it away from the spark plug. Regular maintenance is the way to ensure the best performance and long life of your machine. Please refer to this manual and the engine manufacturer’s owner’s manual for maintenance procedures. Maintenance Checklist Maintenance Procedure Before Each Use Monthly/ 20 Hours Every 6 Mo.
Maintenance ! WARNING TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY FROM ACCIDENTAL STARTING TURN THE POWER SWITCH OF THE ENGINE TO ITS “OFF” POSITION. AIR CLEANER COVER Wait for the engine to cool, and remove the spark plug wire before performing any inspection, maintenance, or cleaning procedures. Changing /Cleaning the Air Filter 1. W ipe off the air cleaner cover. Loosen the knob at the bottom of the air cleaner housing (see Figure 11). 2. Remove the air cleaner filter. 3.
Maintenance ! WARNING OIL IS VERY HOT DURING OPERATION AND CAN CAUSE BURNS. WAIT FOR ENGINE TO COOL BEFORE CHANGING OIL. Wait for the engine to cool, and remove the spark plug wire before performing any inspection, maintenance, or cleaning procedures. Changing the engine oil 1. Make sure the engine is stopped and is level. 2. Close the fuel valve. 3. Place a drain pan underneath the crankcase’s drain plug. 4. Remove the drain plug and, if possible, tilt the crankcase slightly to help drain the oil out.
Maintenance LUBRICATION Gear Shaft The gear (hex) shaft should be lubricated at least once a season or after every 25 hours of operation. 1. R emove the lower frame cover by removing the two screws which secure it (see Figure 13). 2. Apply a light coating of an all-weather multi-purpose grease to the hex shaft (see Figure 14). FRAME COVER Figure 13 Wheels At least once a season, remove both wheels. Clean and coat the axles with a multipurpose automotive grease then reinstall.
Maintenance Shear Pin Replacement The auger is attached to the spiral shaft with shear pins secured with cotter pins. If the auger should strike a foreign object or ice jam, the snow thrower is designed to shear off those pins (see Figure 16). If the auger will not rotate, check if the pins have been sheared. When replacing shear pins, spray an oil lubricant into the shaft before inserting new pins.
Maintenance BELT COVER Figure 18 FRAME COVER Auger Belt Replacement 1. R emove the belt cover on the front of the engine by removing the two self-tapping screws (see Figure 18). Drain the gasoline from the snow thrower, or place a container to catch leakage from the gas cap. 2. C arefully pivot the snow thrower up and forward so that it rests on the auger housing. Remove the frame cover from the underside of the snow thrower by removing four self-tapping screws which secure it (see Figure 19). 3.
Maintenance Drive Belt Replacement 1. Remove the belt cover on the front of the engine by removing the two self-tapping screws (see Figure 18). Drain the gasoline from the snow thrower, or place a container to catch leakage from the gas cap. 2. Carefully pivot the snow thrower up and forward so that it rests on the auger housing. Remove the frame cover from the underside of the snow thrower by removing four selftapping screws which secure it (see Figure 19). 3.
Maintenance Control Wire Adjustment When the auger or drive belts are adjusted or replaced, or after a long time of use, the control wires may need to be adjusted. The control wires for the drive control and the auger control are attached to the auger lever and the drive lever on the handlebar. There is a long threaded screw attached through the connecting spring near the base of the snow thrower. The screw threads into the control wire turnbuckle which is secured by a hex nut.
Engine Troubleshooting ! WARNING BEFORE PERFORMING ANY MAINTENANCE PROCEDURE STOP THE ENGINE, WAIT FIVE (5) MINUTES TO ALLOW ALL PARTS TO COOL. Disconnect the spark plug wire, keeping it away from the spark plug. PROBLEM The engine will not start. • No fuel in tank or fuel valve closed. • Choke not in start position. • Low quality or deteriorated, old gasoline. • Dirty fuel passageways blocking fuel flow. • Carburetor needle stuck. Smell of fuel in air. • Too much fuel in chamber.
Snow Thrower Troubleshooting PROBLEM No snow through thrower’s discharge chute.
Snow Thrower Troubleshooting PROBLEM Auger does not engage. • Auger control wire is too loose. • If there is too much slack in the auger control wire, the augers will not be engaged properly. Turn off the engine. Adjust the tension of the auger control wire (see page 23). • Auger is not rotating. • Shear pin(s) are missing or broken and need to be replaced. • Auger belt is off the pulley, broken or worn. • Turn off the engine and allow to cool down for several minutes.
Storage ! WARNING DO NOT STORE SNOW THROWER WITH FUEL IN TANK INDOORS Do not store in poorly ventilated areas, or near furnace, water heater, clothes dryer or gas appliance. 1. F or short term storage wait for the engine to cool, then clean the engine with a clean cloth. 2. W hen the snow thrower is to be stored for longer than 30 days, prepare the engine for storage by emptying the fuel tank and draining all fuel lines.
Warranty & Specifications IMPORTANT NOTICE We, the manufacturer, reserve the right to change the product and/ or specifications in this manual without notification. The manual is for information usage only and the pictures and drawings depicted herein are for reference only. Warranty Repair and Service Do not return this product to the store for warranty issues or repair. Call our customer service department at 720-287-5182, 1-877-487-8275, or visit www.dirtyhandtools.
