4
Operator Safety
 WARNING
•   Keep children out of the area during operation. Children are 
often attracted to the equipment. Be mindful of all persons 
present.
•  Be alert and turn unit off if children enter the area.
•  Never allow children to operate the unit.
•   Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, 
trees, or other objects that may obscure vision. Children 
may be present. 
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is 
not alert to the presence of children. Children 
are often attracted to the unit and the operating 
activity. Never assume the children will remain 
where you last saw them.
Engines give off carbon monoxide, an 
odorless, colorless, poison gas. Breathing 
carbon monoxide can cause nausea, fainting, 
or death.
WARNING
•  Start and run engine outdoors.
•   Do not run the engine in an enclosed area, even if doors or 
windows are open.
•   Keep fuel away from sparks, open flames, pilot lights, heat, 
and other ignition sources.
•   Check fuel lines, cap, and fittings frequently for cracks or 
leaks. Replace if necessary.
•   Use an approved fuel container.
•   If fuel spills, wait until it evaporates before starting engine.
When Starting Engine
•   Ensure that spark plug, muffler, fuel cap, and air cleaner (if 
equipped) are in place and secured.
•   Do not crank the engine with the spark plug removed.
•   If fuel is spilled, do not attempt to start the engine, but move 
the snowthrower away from the area of the spill, and avoid 
creating any source of ignition, until the fuel vapors have 
dissipated.
•   Do not over-prime the engine. Follow the engine starting 
instructions in this manual.
•   If the engine floods, set choke (if equipped) to OPEN/RUN 
position, move throttle (if equipped) to FAST position and 
crank until engine starts.
When Operating Equipment
•   Do not tip the snowthrower at an angle which causes the 
fuel to spill.
•   Do not choke the carburetor to stop the engine.
•   Never run the engine with the air cleaner assembly (if 
equipped) or the air filter (if equipped) removed.
When Changing Oil
•   If you drain the oil from the top oil fill tube, the fuel tank 
must be empty or fuel can leak out and result in a fire or 
explosion.
When Transporting Equipment
•   Transport with fuel tank EMPTY, or with fuel shut-off valve 
OFF.
When Storing Gasoline or Equipment With Fuel in Tank
•   Store away from furnaces, stoves, water heaters, or other 
appliances that have pilot light or other ignition source 
because they can ignite fuel vapors.
 WARNING
When Adding Fuel
•   Turn off engine and let cool at least 2 minutes before 
removing the fuel cap and adding fuel.
•   Fill fuel tank outdoors or in a well ventilated area.
•   Do not overfill the fuel tank. To allow for the expansion of 
gasoline, do not fill above the bottom of the fuel tank neck.
Fuel and its vapors are extremely flammable 
and explosive. Always handle fuel with 
extreme care.
Failure to observe these safety instructions can 
cause a fire or explosion which will result in 
severe burns or death.