Snapper 4220 Series Operation and maintenance manual

Safety Instructions &
Operator's Manual for
SNOW THROWERS
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THANK YOU for buying a SNAPPER
product! Your SNAPPER SNOW
THROWER was designed and built to
provide long and satisfactory service.
Keep in mind that it, like any other
mechanical device, can be potentially
dangerous if used improperly and that no
accident prevention program can be
successful without the wholehearted co¬
operation of the person responsible for the
operation of the equipment. Study this
Operator’s Manual carefully to learn about
operation of all controls and pay particular
attention to the Important Safety Precau¬
tions on Page 2. Following these instruct¬
ions will help you continue to enjoy the
trouble-free operation expected of a
SNAPPER product.
SNAPPER POWER EQUIPMENT FU qua
McDonough,GA* 30253 7
MANUAL 1-5190 (REVISION 1, 3/86)

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING: This powerful snow thrower is capable of amputating hands and feet and of throwing objects causing in¬
jury. Read this manual carefully and question your Snapper Dealer if something is not clear. Should the dealer be
unable to answer to your satisfaction, send a letter to the Snapper Customer Service Department at Snapper Power
Equipment, Post Office Box 777, McDonough, Georgia 30253, or Phone [phone].
PROTECTION FOR CHILDREN
1. DO NOT allow children in area when Snow Thrower is being operated.
2. DO NOT allow pre-teen children to operate Snow Thrower.
3. DO NOT allow irresponsible teenagers to operate the machine — allow teenager only if exhibiting mature judge¬
ment and then only after thorough instruction and under close supervision of an experienced operator.
PREPARATION
1. Read this manual, get to know where all controls are located and practice how to use them before starting for
the first time and at the beginning of each season. Pay attention to Decals on engine and snow thrower.
2. Wear protective clothing including face mask and boots which will give you maximum footing on slippery sur¬
faces.
3. Before the first snow fall, check the area to be cleared and remove all objects such as doormats, sticks, toys,
wires, rocks, etc., which could be hurled or jam the snow thrower.
4. Survey the area to be cleared beforehand and plan where snow is to be blown. Be prepared to release blower
clutch or to change deflector quickly to discharge away from windows, cars, buildings and doorways to avoid
property damage or personal injury from hurled objects.
5. Adjust the collector housing height by adjusting skid shoes to clear rough spots or gravelled surfaces before
starting.
6. Handle fuel with care. Store only in approved gasoline container. Move machine outdoors where fumes can be
safely dissipated before filling tank. Never add fuel when engine is running. Allow cooling off period after stop¬
ping to avoid spilled fuel from igniting on contact with hot engine parts.
OPERATIONAL PRECAUTIONS
1. Before starting, make visual check to make sure blower housing is clear and all guards and shields are in place
and tight.
2. Warn everyone in advance to stay clear of area but keep especially watchful for children and pets darting into
area while operating.
3. Start engine only when exhaust fumes can be dissipated, allow brief warm-up period, practice operation of con¬
trols outside before putting the machine to work.
4. Start in slow speed and adjust traction speed to insure safe footing as you walk behind the unit. Exercise ex¬
treme caution to retain footing when reversing direction.
5. Transport unit with blower clutch handle released and activate only when snow is to be cleared. Set deflector to
• discharge desired distance beforehand.
6. Adjust traction speed slow enough to avoid overloading capacity and resulting clogging of the blower housing.
7. Should the blower become clogged, release traction and blower clutch handles and, as an additional precau¬
tion, stop the engine before attempting to unclog the collector and impellers.
8. If you strike a hard object and break the auger shear pin, stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire
before inspecting for damage, and/or replacing the shear pin.
9. Stbp the engine if unit starts to vibrate excessively as this normally indicates mechanical problems. Disconnect
the spark plug wire to prevent unintentional starting before servicing or repairing the machine.
10. Avoid clearing steep slopes and keep away from drop-off areas where footing is doubtful or where the machine
could tip over. Clear snow across the face of slopes whenever possible.
11. Stop the engine and remove the key whenever you leave the unit unattended to eliminate the possibility of
children or untrained adults attempting to operate the machine.
2

Section I - FAMILIARIZATION
This manual covers the Snapper Model 4220 and 5240 Series two stage snow throwers. In addition to the recom¬
mended operating instructions, it includes routine service and adjustment procedures. Comprehensive
overhaul/repair and parts manuals are available from your Snapper Dealer at nominal cost. Refer to the Engine
Owner’s Manual accompanying your unit for specific details involving engine operation and service. Refer to the
illustration below for location of controls and other points of interest. Make sure all operators become
thoroughly familiar with controls and carefully read and understand all safety instructions relating to the engine
and Snow Thrower.
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EXPLANATION OF MODEL NUMBERS
MODEL NUMBERS
h (Apprpx.),
'UEL TANK FIL
KEEP TIGHTEN
DISCHARGE DEF
FIGURE 1.1 - LOCATION OF CONTROLS & OTHER FEATURES
3

Section II - MACHINE OPERATION
2.1 Make sure that each person authorized to operate
. this SNOW THROWER reads this manual prior to
operation and pays particular attention to safety
precautions (inside front cover) and to all warning
decals on the machine. Check and perform the
following before each start-up.
2.2 PRE-START CHECK & ADJUSTMENTS
A. ENGINE LUBE: Check level and add oil, if
needed, of weight and grade specified in the
Engine Owner’s Manual.
B. FUEL SUPPLY: After making sure unit is
safely away from ignition-producing applianc¬
es,and in area where gasoline fumes can be
dissipated, fill fuel tank with gasoline
specified in Engine Manual.
C. CHECK TIRES and bring pressure up to
specifications -12-15 psi without tire chains or
15-20 psi with chains.
D. CHECK UNIT to make sure guards and
shields are in place and tight. Also check
blower housing to insure that it is free of all
objects.
E. RESET RUNNERS to suit area to be cleared.
Lower skid shoes to provide greater clearance
over gravel, or raise the shoes for smooth,
paved surface. Refer to Figure 3.7, SKID
SHOE ADJUSTMENT.
F. SET DEFLECTOR CAP to throw snow desired
distance. Loosen wing nut, push cap edge back
even with the chute to throw snow up to 30 feet
away, or pull cap all the way out to throw snow
only about three feet. Retighten wing nut after
repositioning cap. ALWAYS STOP ENGINE
before repositioning.
2.3 OPERATIONAL CONTROLS
Know how to stop the SNOW THROWER quickly in
preparation for possible emergency situations.
Forward and reverse motion is stopped by releasing
your grip on the TRACTION CLUTCH handle on the
left handle bar. See Figure 2.1. The blower auger
blades and impeller fan will stop rotating within five
seconds* after releasing the BLOWER CLUTCH
handle on the right. Stop the engines on all models
by rerhoving the ignition key. Other operational
controls are discussed where pertinent under the
following operating procedures.
*NOTE: IF rotation continues after five seconds,
refer to the CLUTCH CABLE instructions for
readjustment.
2.4 STARTING & WARMUP
Whenever possible, push SNOW THROWER
outdoors before starting. If the unit must be started
inside your garage, for example, make sure doors
are wide open to provide maximum ventilation.
Move the unit outdoors as soon as possible after
starting. After performing the pre-start checks and
services described earlier, proceed as follows:
A. THROTTLE CONTROL: Move control to FAST
position.
B. CHOKE: Refer to Engine Manual for priming
and/or choking details.
C. ENGINE IGNITION: On all units, insert key or
turn key to ON position.
D(1)ROPE STARTING: On manual start models,
pull starting rope out in smooth, steady motion
until engine starts. To prolong the life of the
starter rope,slowly guide the handle back to
the engine rather than allowing it to snap
back.
D(2)ELECTRIC STARTING: On units with plug-in
120 Volt electric start, connect the starter
cable to the engine starter system, insert the
three pronged plug into a grounded 110-volt
power receptacle and depress the starter
button on the cable until engine starts. Detach
cable from receptacle and engine. On jump
start equipped models, refer to instructions
provided in kit.
NOTE: If engine does not start after five
seconds of continuous cranking, release the
key or start button to prevent overheating of
the starting motor. Locate and correct cause of
starting problem before repeating electric
starting attempt.
WARM-UP PERIOD: Allow brief warm-up
outside with clutches released to avoid stalling
cold engine. Reset Choke as instructed in
Engine Manual as the unit warms up.
2.5 OPERATION: Select desired traction speed by
adjusting DIRECTION CONTROL LEVER, depress
TRACTION CLUTCH handle and drive unit to area
to be cleared. Depress BLOWER CLUTCH handle
and proceed to blow snow. The THROTTLE
CONTROL should normally be in the FAST position
for best result under most conditions. CAUTION: If
clogging occurs, back unit away from snow bank,
release both CLUTCH handles and, as a further
precaution, stop the engine and remove spark plug
wire before clearing the snow from the housing
and/or discharge chute.
2.6 BEFORE STOPPING: Move unit to cleared area,
release TRACTION CLUTCH handle and run up to
top speed with BLOWER CLUTCH HANDLE
depressed to clear housing of slush and snow, thus
preventing freeze-up of the impeller upon restart¬
ing next time.
7 STOPPING PROCEDURE: On all units, remove the
key to stop engine or move the THROTTLE
CONTROL to OFF or STOP.
4

Section III - MAINTENANCE
3.1 LUBRICATION SERVICES
Refer to the Engine Manual for lubrication
requirements on the engine powering your SNOW
THROWER. Your SNOW THROWER unit has five
(5)grease fittings, two (2) on the augers, one (1) in
the gearbox housing and two (2) on the auger shaft
bearings as shown in Figure 3.1. Service these and
the other general lube points as follows:
FIGURE 3.1
3.2 AUGER LUBRICATION: ONCE EACH YEAR,
preferably at the end of the winter season, remove
the two (2) shear bolts, apply grease to the fittings,
then spin the auger to work the grease out along the
auger shaft. Continue greasing and spinning augers
until grease appears at both ends of each auger
tube. Reinstall shear bolts and nuts after servicing.
This procedure will prevent the auger shaft from
rusting to the auger tube.
3.3 BEARING LUBE: ONCE EACH YEAR, apply one
or two shots of grease from gun to the bearing
greasq fittings located at the ends of the auger
shaft, just inside the blower housings.
3.4 GENERAL LUBE POINTS: ONCE EACH YEAR, or
more often if rust hampers operation, spread a light
coating of grease on the chute crank worm and on
the underside of the gear ring at the base of the
discharge chute. Squirt oil from the oil can into the
gap between the inside of the discharge chute and
the outside of the discharge flange of the blower
housing. Crank chute back and forth while oiling to
spread lubrication evenly over both surfaces.
Although not absolutely necessary, you may want to
remove, each wheel at the end of the season and
apply a coating of grease on the axle shafts. This
will help to prevent rust and allow the wheels to be
moved more easily from transport to traction mode
during the next season.
3.5 GEARBOX LUBRICATION: Grease ONCE EACH
YEAR, or more often as required, with 5 shots of
SNAPPER “00” grease. See Figure 3.2.
FIGURE 3.2
3.6 CHUTE CRANK SERVICE
If the chute does not crank easily after lubricating,
as specified under GENERAL LUBE POINTS, loosen
both nuts on the outside of the crank worm bracket
as shown in Figure 3.3 and move the bracket
slightly away from the chute gear or back in toward
the ring until the chute again cranks with minimum
effort. Retighten inside nut first, then jam the
outside nut tight against the inside nut to lock at the
new setting.
5

Section III - MAINTENANCE
3.7 BELT SERVICE
Belts do not require attention at any specific
interval, but should be checked if performance
deteriorates. This could occur due to slippage of
worn or loose belts. Check and adjust tension of
clutch cables first as described in the CLUTCH
ADJUSTMENT section. If performance continues
to be poor, after clutch cable tension has been
corrected,then check belts. MAKE SURE ENGINE
IS STOPPED AND SPARK PLUG WIRE DIS¬
CONNECTED before working on the belts.
NOTE: Blower rotation should cease within five
seconds after clutch handle is released. If rotation
continues after five seconds,cable may be too tight.
If readjusting the cable does not correct the
stopping time, check to make sure the idler return
spring is connected and that the idler is properly
set. See your SNAPPER Dealer to have this
condition corrected.
3.8 BELT TENSION: Tension on the traction drive belt
is automatically maintained by an individual idler
spring. After removing the belt guard and bottom
cover, check to make sure this spring is intact and
properly installed. If the spring is properly
connected, check for excessively worn belts. Notice
the return spring on the idler for the blower drive -
this spring activates the brake. The idler should
always return to braking position! Tension of the
blower drive belt, which is on the % dia. engine
drive pulley, is adjusted by loosening and
repositioning the idler pulley. To increase tension,
loosen the idler pulley retaining nut, hold the idler
arm and push the pulley tighter against the belt.
See Figure 3.4. Retighten nut after repositioning
and check for proper clutching action with blower
clutch handle released. Tension of the traction belt
on the inside groove is non-adjustable. Before
reinstalling belt guard,check to make sure the belt
guide on the right side is about 1/16” away from
the outside surface of the blower belt with clutch
engaged. Adjust the guide by loosening bolts and
moving guide.
3.9 CLUTCH CABLE ADJUSTMENT
If slippage is noted,check tension of both clutch
cables. When properly adjusted,the cables should
be completely slack with clutch handle released and
tight when the handle is fully depressed. The
springs on both cables should deflect 3/8” when
the handle is depressed. To adjust cable length,
(shorten or lengthen), loosen jam nut and rotate
adjuster sleeve. Retighten jam nut.
See Figures 3.5 and 3.6.
FIGURE 3.6
FIGURE 3.4
6

Section III - MAINTENANCE
3.10 SKID SHOE ADJUSTMENT
The skid shoes should be lowered to raise the
blower housing to clear gravelled or rough surfaces.
If necessary .adjust until almost even with the edges
of the housing to allow clearing down to smooth
paved surfaces. Note that the skid shoes can be
installed upside down to track better over icy or
hard-packed surfaces. To adjust the skid shoes,
block under the lower edge of the blower housing.
Loosen the retaining nuts and slide shoe up or down
to desired height. Retighten the nuts. Set both skid
shoes in the same position. See Figure 3.7.
FIGURE 3.7
3.11 SERVICE ASSISTANCE
Contact your SNAPPER Dealer for replacement
parts or for assistance when service is needed to
keep your SNOW THROWER in top condition. To
obtain the correct parts or advice for your particular
model, always report the model and serial numbers
as found on the nameplate attached to the frame.
For engine parts and service, contact the engine
manufacturer’s dealer in your area. Complete
PARTS and SERVICE (Overhaul and Repair)
Manuals are available for your SNOW THROWER
at nominal cost. Order these from your SNAPPER
Dealer.
Service Notes

MANUFACTURER’S 2 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY
For two (2) Years from purchase date for the original purchaser’s residential, non-commercial use
[ninety (90) days from purchase date for the original purchaser’s commercial, rental, or other non-
residential use], SNAPPER POWER EQUIPMENT, through any SNAPPER dealer will replace, free of
charge, any part or parts found upon examination by the factory at McDonough, Georgia, to be
defective in material or workmanship or both.
All transportation cost incurred by the purchaser in submitting material to a SNAPPER dealer for
replacement under this warranty must be borne by the purchaser.
This warranty does not apply to engines and their components, as these items are warranted
separately by their manufacturers, and does not apply to batteries which are covered separately.
This warranty does not apply to parts that have been damaged by accident, alteration, abuse,
improper lubrication, normal wear, or other cause beyond our control.
There is no other express warranty.
Implied warranties, including those of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, are
limited to two (2) years from purchase date for the original purchaser’s residential, non-commercial
use [ninety (90) days from purchase for the original purchaser’s commercial, rental or other non-
residential use], and to the extent permitted by law any and all implied warranties are excluded. This
is the exclusive remedy. Liabilities for consequential damages, under any and all warranties are
excluded.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts,or do not allow the ex¬
clusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion
may not apply to you.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from
state to state.
Wj snapper power equipment
McDonough,GA* 30253
1-5190 (REVISION 1. 3/86)
Printed in U.S.A.