FMC Bolens 18318 Guide

HFWIC
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Botens
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SnowThrower
Attachment
38 Inch
Safety and
Operation
Instructions
Model 18311-03
Thru-05
With PTO Attachments
Model 18309-04
Thru-05
Model 18318
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El— .-•*!.•.._
FORM 552884-6(3/80)
SUPERSEDES 552884-5

Thank you for purchasing this piece ofFMC Bolens equipment- We feel younowownoneofthe finest pieces of equipment *
available.
This isa safety, operation and general maintenancemanualwhich does not attempt to cover major repairs. FMC Bolens equip-
ment is carefully designed, engineered, and manufactured to give goodperformance if properly operated and maintained. Review
this manual to familiarize yourself with the unit, its features andits operation.
This equipment isa pfoduct ofFMC Corporation, Outdoor Power Equipment Division, 215 South Park Street,PortWashington,
Wisconsin, 53074, telephone [phone]. Ifyou should have any questions or encounter any problems,which you feel only
the factory can solve, write tothe above address or phone,attention the Service Department.
All BOLENS snow throwers have passed
rigid safety standards ofthe Outdoor
Power Equipment Institute andan
independent testing laboratory.
YourWarrantyStatement is included,under separate cover with this manual. Please read it carefully.Also, please return the
completed postpaidowner registration card which is included with this manual. The purpose of thiscard isto register each unit
and owner atthe factory for safety purposes.
GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
CAUTION
Preventing accidents is the responsibility
of every equipmentoperator. The follow-
ing general safetyprecautionsmust be
fullyunderstood and followed by every
operator of thisequipment. Review them \
frequently and never takechances. Be
careful before, during and right after use
of any poweredequipment.Accidents *
can be prevented.
TRAINING
1. Read the operating and service in-
structionmanual carefully. Be thor-
oughly familiar with the controls andthe
proper useof thfrequipment. Know how
to stop the unit and disengage the con-
trols quickly.
2
2. Never allow children to operate the
equipment. Never anow adutts to operate
the equipment without properinstruction.
3. Keep the area of operation clear of
all persons, parbajlarty small children,
and pets.
4.
*a n
n to avoid slipping or
(aerating in re-
PREPA RATION
1. Thoroughly inspect the area where
the equipment istobe used and remove
all doormats, sleds, boards, wire and
other foreign objects.
2. Disengage all clutches and shift into
neutral beforestarting the engine (motor).
3.Donot operate the equipment with-
out wearing adequate winter outer gar-
ments. Wear footwear which will im-
prove footing on slippery surfaces.
4. Handle fuel with care; itis highly
flammable.
(a) Usean approved fuelcontainer.
(b) Never add fuel toa running engine
or hot engine.
(c) Fill fuel tankoutdoors with extreme
care. Never fill fueltankindoors.
(d) Replace gasoline cap securely and
wipe up spilled fuel.
5. Adjust the collector housing height
to clear gravel or crushed rock surfaces.
6. Never attempt to make any adjust-
ments while the engine (motor) is running
(except where specifically recommended
by manufacturer). ^B
7.Let engine (motor) and machine ad-
just to outdoor temperatures beforestart-
ing to clear snow.

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•FMC
GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS (continued)
OPERATION
1. Donotput hands or feet near or
underrotatingparts.Keepclear ofthe
discharge opening atall times.
2. Exercise extremecautionwhenoper-
ating onor crossing gravel drives, walks,
or roads.Stayalert for hidden hazards or
traffic. Donot carry passengers.
3. Afterstriking a foreignobject,stop
the engine(motor), remove the wirefrom
the spark plug, thoroughly inspect the
snow thrower forany damage, andre-
pair the damagebeforerestarting andop-
erating the snowthrower.
4.Ifthe unit shouldstart to vibrate ab-
normally,stop the engine (motor) and
checkimmediately forthe cause. Vibra-
tion is generally a warning of trouble.
5. Stop the engine(motor) whenever
you leave the operating position, before
unclogging the collector/impellerhousing
or discharge guide, and whenmaking any
repairs, adjustments, or inspections.
6. Take all possible precautionswhen
leaving the vehicleunattended. Disengage
the power take-off, lower the attachment,
shift into neutral, setthe parkingbrake,
stop the engine, and remove the key.
make certain the collector/impeller and
all moving parts have stopped.Discon-
nect the sparkplugwire, and keep the
wire away from the plug to prevent acci-
dental starting.
8.Donotrunthe engineindoors, ex-
ceptwhenstarting the engine andfor
transporting the snow thrower inorout
ofthe building. Open the outsidedoors;
exhaust fumes are dangerous.
9.Donot clear snow across the face of
slopes. Exercise extremecautionwhen
changing direction on slopes. Donotat-
tempt to clear steep slopes.
10. Never operate the snowthrower with-
out properguards,plates, or other safety
protective devices in place.
11. Never operate the snowthrower near
glass enclosures, automobiles, window
wells, drop-offs, etc. without proper ad-
justment ofthe snow discharge angle.
Keep children and petsaway.
12. Donot overload the machine capa-
city by attempting to clear snow attoo
fast a rate.
13. Never operate the machine at high
transport speeds on slippery surfaces. Use
care whenbacking.
7. When clean ing,repair ing or inspecting, 14. Never directdischarge at bystanders
or allowanyone in front ofthe unit.
15. Disengage power tothe collector/
impeller whensnowthrower is trans-
ported ornotin use.
16.Use only attachments and accessories
approved bythe manufacturer of snow
thrower (such as wheelweights,counter-
weights, etc.)
17. Never operate the snowthrower with-
out goodvisibility or light.
MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE
1. Check shear bolts,engine mounting
bolts, etc., at frequentintervals for proper
tightness tobe sure the equipment isin
safe working condition.
2. Never store the machine with fuel in
the fueltankinside a buildingwhereopen
flame or sparks are present. Allow theen-
gine to coolbeforestoring inanyen-
closure.
3. Always refer to owner'sguide
instructions for important details ifthe
snowthrower istobe stored foranex-
tended period.
4.Runthe machine a few minutes
after throwingsnow to preventfreeze-up
ofthe collector/impeller.

IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS
I
—-
To ensure prompt service whenrepairs or
adjustments are required, your FMC
Bolens Dealer must have the following
information. For your own personal
reference, fill inthe serial number spaces
provided below.
The Model Number and SerialNumber
are ona nameplateattached tothe
attachments.
ModelNumber of Unit (A}_
Serial Number of Unit {B)_
Date of Purchase
Your FMC Bolens Dealer has available a
Parts List for your Unit. Hecan identify
any parts youmay require and furnish
genuine factoryreplacements.
CAUTION
WE URGEUSINGONLYGENUINE
FMC BOLENSFACTORY REPLACE-
MENTPARTS,WHICHMEET ALLOF
THE LATESTSAFETYREQUIRE-
MENTS.REPLACEMENTPARTS
MANUFACTURED BY OTHERS
COULDPRESENTSAFETY HAZARDS
EVENTHOUGHTHEY MAYFITON
FMC BOLENSPRODUCTS.
ASSEMBLY
These attachments are shippedcomplete
with all parts and hardware necessary to
installattachments tothe tractor.
Before installingyourSnowThrower a
Model 18309 or 18318 PTO attachment
must be installed.
Have your Bolens Dealer order the correct
model that fits your tractor.
ATTACHMENTDRIVE
INSTALLATION {MODEL 18318)
Remove rear nut (A) Figure 2 securing
the left side engine mount. Positionangle
bracket (B) over the screw and secure
with thenut just removed.
Secure PTO casting to front axle support
using 4 3/8-16 locknutssupplied.
Ifnot already in place, assemble lower
drive sheave (C).Hookspring (D)to angle
bracket.
Fig. 2
"A"
If lower sheave isnotin line with electric
clutch sheave remove the drivebelt and
Position the drive belt up over the electricadjust thePTO casting inthe mounting
slots eitherforward or backward. Secure
the casting and reassemble the drive belt.
clutch sheave. With one hand relieve the
tension onthe beltidler and with the
otherhand,position the belt around the
attachmentdrive sheave (D).Position
the PTO cover between the front
axle arms and secure with four clevis
pins and springpins(E).
When the mower is going tobe used and
the mower PTO installedonly thePTO
guard, belt and drive sheave need be
removed.

•FMC
ASSEMBLY(continued)
ATTACHMENT DRIVE
INSTALLATION (MODEL 18309)
Position round rod"A" Figure 2 inthe
inside ofthe frame ifnot alreay there. On
Model 18309-04 turn handknobs "B"
with star washer supplied into round rod.
On 18309-05 andup thread thehex head
screw "B" with starwasher into the
round rod.Screw on lock nut provided to
keep eitherhand knob or screw from
backing out.
Hook slots ofPTO attachmentdriveover
clevis pins inthe front,support. Position
either hand knob orhex screw with star
washer into slot of bracket, see Figure 2,
and tighten. Push down onPTO shaft
while tightening. This will provideproper
engagement of attachment.
Take a measurement from the front
crossmember ofthe frame tothe engine
sheave. See Figure 3. If this measurement
is 3/4" (19 mm), the drive belt canbe
installed. Ifitis more, remove one washer
at point (D)for every1/16"(1-1/2mm).
Ifitis less than 3/4" (19 mm), addone
or both ofthe extra washers included to
line upthetwo sheaves. To reach washers
(D), loosen thetwo locking collars on
thePTO shaft, and slide the shaftout.
After final installation, thePTO sheave
should notbe able to slide around onthe
PTO shaft, tfso, reposition thePTO
shaft.
To assemble drive belt, loosenscrew (C)
on sheave guard. Lift guard upand swing
down. See Figure 2.
Position the drive belt up over the electric
clutch sheave (D) Figure 3. With one
handrelieve the tension onthe belt idler
and with the otherhand, position the
belt around the attachmentdrive sheave
(E) Figures.
18309-05 and up
Fig. 2
Reposition sheave guard and tighten
screw (C).
SNOW THROWERASSEMBLY
Position hitch into the rear ofthe rotor
housing with the hitch brackets up.See
(A) Figures 4 and5. Secure with four
3/8-16 x 1 flangelock capscrews and
3/8-16 flange lock nuts'(B).
Secure gear box support to hitch with
two 3/8-16 x 1" carriage bolts, lock
washers and lock nuts(BB)Figure 5.
Align keyway in universal joint (C)
with woodruff keyin gear case shaft.
Slide universal joint onto shaft of snow
thrower gear box until endof shaft is
flush with inside of universalyoke.
Securely tighten thetwoset screws in
the universal joint.
Fig. 3

ASSEMBLY (continued)
Fig. 4
"B"
Fig. 5

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•FMC
ASSEMBLY (continued)
Position the hitch brackets ofthe hitch
assembly into the attachment hitch
bracket ofthe tractor. See(A) figure 7.
Align the mounting holes and secure with
1/2x 1-1/16 clevis pinand spring cotter.
See (B)and(C) figure 7.
Install universal joint (C) figure 6 onto
universal drive shaft of snow thrower.
Depress lockcollar (D) figure 6 of uni-
versal joint. Align universal with splined
shaft of attachment drive. Slide universal
joint onto shaft until collar locks in lock-
ing groove.
Loosen locknut {E} figures 4 and7 on
lift tube. Adjust lift tube toan approxi-
mate length of 26-1/8inch (N) figure 5
from center of clevis pin hole to center of
clevis pinat back of slot. Donot tighten
locknut at thistime. To lift snow thrower
higher lengthen lift tubelength. Todig
snow thrower deeper shortentubelength.
Position slotted endof lift tube (A)
figure 8 into tractor lift arms (B) figure 8.
Align slot of lift tubewith upper hole in
lift arms and secure with 1/2 x 2-1/4
clevis pinand spring cotter. See {C)
figure 8. Position adjustable end into
arms on rear of hitch. See(F) figure.4
and7. Align holes and secure with 1/2
x 2-1/4 clevis pinand spring cotter (G)
figures 4 and7.
Securely block snow thrower upata
height of6 to9 inches. (15.2 to 22.8cm)
Itis best tousetwo blocks, one under
each side of auger housing.
Install spring anchor (A} figure 9 onto
front of tractor frame.Secure with two
5/16-18 x 5/8 fiange hex head capscrews
and 5/16-18 locknuts and lockwashers.
See (B) figure 9.
:
"B
Fig. 7

ASSEMBLY(continued)
Place short eye-bolt (H} figure 4 into
bracket.Place5/16 flat washer onto eye-
bolt and install 5/16-18 hex locknutonto
eye-bolt.
NOTE
Locknut must beruntotheendofthe
thread onthe eye-bolt.Make sure the
nut locks onthe thread and that some
thread shows beyond the nut.
Place threaded endof secondeye-bolt
(C) figure 9 into thetopofthe spring
bracket (D). Start 5/16-18 hexnut onto
threaded endof eye-bolt(C).Hook eye
of eye-boit (C) into springanchor on
front of tractor frame.Hookspring (I)
figures ^ and9 into eye-bolt (H) figure 5.
Hookspring (I) into springbracket (D)
figure 9.
Turn spring clockwise until nuton eye-
bolt (C) figure 9 istotheendofthe
thread.
For less lift effort turn furtherwhich
causes less downpressure. For more
down pressure reducespringlength.
On tractors with a manual lift, fasten a
5/16-18 x 3/4 bolt and locknut into the
second slot ofthe lift quadrant (A)
figure 10.
Thisstop forthe lift handle is needed to
comply with ANSI safety code B71.3
1975.
Remove the blocks fromunder the auger
housing and lowersnowthrower tothe
ground. Place lift into the lowest
position.
Lift snowthrowerwith the lift lever to
its highestposition. Measure fromlowest
point of scraper blade, see (J) figure 5,
tothe ground. This dimension should be
a maximum of9 inches(22.8cm). If
adjustment is necessary lowersnow
thrower tothe ground. Remove clevis pin
(G) figures 4 and7. Turnadjustable end
into decrease andoutto increase
dimension at (J) figure 5. After adjust-
ment is achieved, securely tighten nut(E)
figures 4 and7.

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•FMC
ASSEMBLY (continued)
Place one 3/8-16 flange locknutonto
eye-bolt (D) figures 4 and 11 with the
flange ofthenut away from the eye.
Install eye-bolt (D) into right side ofin-
strument panel of tractor, see figure 11.
On hydrostatic models usetop hole in
panel. On gear drive use lowerhole.
Secure with second 3/8-16 locknuts
and lockwashers.
Install chute control crank (K) figures 4
and 11 into.eye-bolt (D). Place hooked
end into swivel block (L) figures 5 and
11, and secure with 1/8x 3/4 drive pin.
Slide chutecontroldirection disc with
rubber grommet (O) figure 5, ontocon-
trol rod.This disc indicates which direc- -
tion to turn control rodto operate chute.
Install plastic hand grip onto crank end
of chutecontrolrod.

BEFORE OPERATION
/
The operatorshouldbecomefamiliar
with the BeforeOperation check list in
the tractorSAFETY AND OPERATION
INSTRUCTIONS and perform each check
prior to starting or operating the FMC
Bolens tractor and snowthrower attach-
ment.
NOTE
Every time that the snowthrower isto
be used,checkhand levers (B) figure 2.
Make sure the hand levers are tightly
secured.
1. Visually check for loose or missing
nuts, screws, and damagedparts. Replace
and tighten beforestarting. ' >
2.The skid shoes are mounted tothe
lower side of rotor housing. The mount-
ing holes inthe shoes are slotted sothe
snow thrower canbe raised to allow the
scraper blade to clear most gravel or
stone surfaces or lowered for cleaning a
smooth surface. These shoes are reversible
for additional wear surface. Secure with
3/8-16 x 1 carriage bolt,flat washer,
lockwashers and locknuts. .
3. Adjust chutedirection and deflector
cap angle beforestartingsnowthrower.
CAUTION
DONOT FORCECHUTEBEYOND ITS
MAXIMUM TRAVEL IN EITHER
DIRECTION.
4.To helpprevent snow from sticking
spray the inside of auger-impeller
housing, discharge chute, and deflector
cap with FMC Bolens silicone spray.
NOTE
Itis recommended that a setof wheel
weights and tire chains be installed for
best performance.
OPERATION
Read the SAFETY AND OPERATION
INSTRUCTIONS for your tractor before
operating the snowthrowerattachment.
SNOW THROWINGTIPS
Check wind direction. Always throw the
snow inthe same direction the wind is
blowing.
With the wind blowing across your area
tobe cleared,startfirst cutonthe wind-
ward side and cast snowdownwind to
uncleared area.
In highwindskeepchute capsetto cast
snow low.
Donot position the discharge chute be-
tween youandthe wind, especially
during turn arounds.
On turn arounds, turn with the wind.
Adjust the chutewhile turning to keep
the discharge downwind.
Do not direct the discharge into the
street or road. Itcan throw foreign
objects at passing pedestrians and/or
autos.
Ifthe snowbank is higher than the rotor
housing,move into itasfaras possible,
back out,knockdown the snow and blow
itoutonthe nextapproach.
Before putting snowthroweraway,clean
all the excess snow and slush offof unit
to prevent freeze upof controls andthe
chute.
C
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