MTD 13A-240-762 Owner’s Manual

Safety ,, Assembly ,, Operation ,,Tips & Techniques ,, Maintenance ,,Troubleshooting ,, Parts Lists ,,Warranty

OF A O

A AL

Model 230, $230
Model 240, S240

Model 250, S250
Model 260, S260

ingle-Sta!e

iMPORTANT

READ SAFETY RULES AND iNSTRUCTiONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION

Warning: Thisunit isequippedwithaninternalcombustionengineandshouldnot beusedon or nearanyunimprovedforest-covered,brush-
coveredor grass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemisequippedwithasparkarrestermeetingapplicablelocalorstatelaws(if any).
If a sparkarresterisused,it shouldbemaintainedineffectiveworkingorderbythe operator.IntheStateofCaliforniatheaboveis requiredbylaw
(Section4442ofthe CaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Otherstatesmayhavesimilarlaws.Federallawsapplyonfederallands.A sparkarrester
forthe mufflerisavailablethroughyournearestengineauthorizedservicedealeror contacttheservicedepartment,RO.Box361131Cleveland,

Ohio44136-0019.

PRINTEDIN U.S.A.

MTD LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019

n0w

Thrower

Model 261, S261

FORMNO.769-01283B

05/2005

This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new snow thrower, it will help you assemble,

prepare and maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.

Table of Contents

Safety Labels .............................................. pg. 3

Safe Operation Practices ........................... pg. 4

Setting UpYour Snow Thrower .................. pg. 6

KnowYour Snow Thrower .......................... pg. 7

Operating Your Snow Thrower ................... pg. 8

Adjustments & Maintenance ..................... pg. 10

Finding and Recording Model Number

BEFOREYOU STARTASSEMBLING

YOURNEW EQUIPMENT,

pleaselocate modelplate on equipmentand copy
informationto thesample modelplate providedtothe right.
Youcan locatethe model plateby standing at the operating

position and lookingdown at rearof the snow thrower.This
informationwill be necessaryto use the manufacturer'sweb
site and/or obtain assistancefrom the CustomerSupport

Departmentoran authorizedservice dealer.

Off-Season Storage ...................................... p. 12

Troubleshooting ............................................ p. 13

Parts List ....................................................... p. 14

Accessories & Kits ....................................... p. 17

Notes .............................................................. p. 18

Warranty ............................................ Back Cover

Model Number

_D

www. rntdproducts.corn

Serial Number

MTD LLC

P.O. BOX 361131
CLEVELAND, OH 44136

330-220-4683

800-800-7310j

Customer Support

Please do NOTreturn the unit to the retailer from which it was

purchased, without first contacting Customer Support.

If you have difficulty assemblingthis product or have anyquestionsregardingthe controls, operation,ormaintenanceof this
unit,you canseek help from the experts.Choose fromthe options below:

1. Visit mtdproducts.com. Click onYard Machinesand thenthe CustomerSupport menuoption.

2. Phonea Customer Support Representative at 1 [phone].

3. The engine manufacturer is responsiblefor all engine-relatedissueswith regardsto performance,power-rating,specifica-

tions,warranty and service. Pleasereferto the engine manufacturer'sOwner's/Operator's Manual,packed separatelywith
your unit, for more information.

2

iil _I ii_ _ i _iii_! i _ _ii_ ii

1.KEEPAWAYFROMROTATINGAUGER

CONTACTWiTHAUGERCAHAMPUTATE
HAHOSANDFEET.

2. DISEHGAGECLUTCHLEVERS,STOPEHGIHE,

ANDREMAINDEHIHDHAHBLESUNTILALL
MOVIHGPARTSHAVESTOPPEDBEFORE
UHCLOGGiHGORSERViCIHGMACHiHE.

3.TO AVOIDTHROWNOBJECTSIHJURIES,

NEVERDIRECTDISCHARGEATBYSTANDERS.
USEEXTRACAUTIONWHEHOPERATINGOH

GRAVELSURFACES.

4. BEADOPERATOR'SMAHUAL

WARNING

Thissymbolpoints
out importantsafety

instructionswhich,if
notfollowed,could
endangerthepersonal
safetyand/or property

ofyourself andothers.

Readandfollowall

instructionsinthis

manualbefore
attemptingto operate

this machine.Failure
to complywiththese

instructionsmayresult

in personalinjury.When
youseethis symbol.

HEED ITS WARNING!

Your Responsibility

Restrictthe use of
this powermachineto

personswho read,
understandand

followthe warnings
and instructionsin this

manualand on the

machine.

3

WARNING: Engine Exhaust,some of itsconstituents,andcertain vehicle compo-
nentscontain or emit chemicals knownto Stateof Californiato cause cancer and

birth defects or other reproductiveharm.

DANGER: Thismachinewas builtto beoperatedaccordingto the rulesfor safe operationinthis
manual.As with any type of powerequipment,carelessness or error on the part ofthe operatorcan
result in seriousinjury.This machine iscapableof amputatinghands andfeet andthrowingobjects.

Failureto observethe followingsafety instructionscould resultinserious injury or death.

WARNING

Thissymbolpoints
out importantsafety

instructionswhich,if
notfollowed,could

endangerthe personal

i safetyand/or property
I ofyourselfand others.

Readandfollowall
instructionsinthis

manualbeforeat-

temptingto operate

i this machine.Failure
I to complywiththese

instructionsmayresult

i in personalinjury.When

youseethis symbol.

i HEED ITS WARNING!

Your Responsibility

Restrictthe use
ofthis power machine

to personswho read,

_understand

ano followthe warnings
and instructions

inthis manual

and on the machine.

Training

1. Read,understand,andfollowall instructionson the 1.
machineandin themanual(s)beforeattemptingto

assembleandoperate.Keepthis manualina safe placefor
futureandregularreferenceandfor orderingreplacement

parts. 2.

2. Befamiliarwithall controlsandtheirproperoperation.
Knowhowto stopthe machineanddisengagethemquickly.

3. Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsoldto operatethis
machine.Children14yearsold andovershouldreadand
understandtheoperationinstructionsand safetyrulesin 3.
thismanualand shouldbetrainedand supervisedbya
parent.

4. Neverallowadultsto operatethis machinewithoutproper
instruction.

5. Thrownobjectscancauseseriouspersonalinjury.Plan 4.
yoursnow-throwingpatternto avoiddischargeof material

towardroads,bystanders,andthe like.

6. Keepbystanders,helpers,pets,andchildrenatleast75
feetfromthe machinewhileit isin operation.Stop machine
ifanyoneentersthearea. 6.

7. Exercisecautiontoavoidslippingor falling,especially 7.
whenoperatingin reverse.

Preparation

Thoroughlyinspecttheareawheretheequipmentisto be
used.Removealldoormats,newspapers,sleds,boards,

wires,and otherforeignobjects,whichcould betrippedover
orthrownbythe auger/impeller.
Alwayswearsafetyglassesor eyeshieldsduringoperation
andwhile performinganadjustmentorrepairto protectyour
eyes.Thrownobjectswhichricochetcancause serious
injurytothe eyes.

Do notoperatewithoutwearingadequatewinterouter
garments.Donotwearjewelry,longscarves,orother
looseclothingwhichcouldbecomeentangledin moving
parts.Wearfootwearwhich willimprovefootingonslippery

surfaces.
Useagroundedthree-wireextensioncordand receptacle

forall unitswithelectricstartengines.

5.

Adjustcollectorhousingheighttocleargravelorcrushed
rocksurfaces.

Disengageallcontrolleversbeforestartingthe engine.
Neverattemptto makeanyadjustmentswhileengineis

running,exceptwherespecificallyrecommendedinthe
operator'smanual.

8,

Letengineandmachineadjusttooutdoortemperature
beforestartingtoclearsnow.

9.

Toavoidpersonalinjuryorpropertydamageuseextreme
careinhandlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammable
andthe vaporsare explosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycan
occurwhengasolineis spilledonyourselforyour clothes,
whichcanignite.Washyourskinand changeclothes
immediately.

a. Useonlyan approvedgasolinecontainer.
b. Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersources

ofignition.

c. Neverfuel machineindoors.
d. Neverremovegascap oraddfuelwhilethe engineis hot

or running.

e. Allowengineto coolat leasttwo minutesbeforerefuel-

ing.

f. Neveroverfillfuel tank.Filltankto nomorethanY2-inch

belowbottomoffiller neckto providespacefor fuel
expansion.

g. Replacegasolinecap andtightensecurely.
h. If gasolineis spilled,wipe itoff theengineand equip-

ment.Movemachinetoanotherarea.Waitfiveminutes
beforestartingtheengine.

i. Neverstorethe machineorfuel containerinsidewhere

there isan openflame,sparkor pilotlight(e.g.furnace,

waterheater,spaceheater,clothesdryeretc.).

j. Allowmachinetocool at leastfive minutesbefore

storing.

4

Operation

1. Donot puthandsorfeetnearrotatingparts,inthe
auger/impellerhousingor chuteassembly.Contactwiththe

rotatingpartscanamputatehandsandfeet.

2. The auger/impellercontrolleveris asafetydevice.Never
bypassitsoperation.Doingso makesthe machineunsafe

andmaycausepersonalinjury.

3. The controlleversmustoperateeasilyin bothdirections

andautomaticallyreturntothe disengagedpositionwhen

released.

4. Neveroperatewitha missingor damagedchuteassembly.
Keepall safetydevicesinplaceandworking.

5. Neverrunan engineindoorsor in a poorlyventilatedarea.
Engineexhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,anodorlessand

deadlygas.

6. Donotoperatemachinewhile underthe influenceofalcohol

or drugs.

7. Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcan causea burn.Do
nottouch.

8. Exerciseextremecautionwhenoperatingonor crossing

gravelsurfaces.Stayalertfor hiddenhazardsortraffic.

9. Exercisecautionwhenchangingdirectionandwhileoperat-
ingonslopes.

10.Planyoursnow-throwingpatternto avoiddischargetowards
windows,walls,carsetc.Thus,avoidingpossibleproperty
damageor personalinjury causedby aricochet.

11.Neverdirectdischargeatchildren,bystanders,and petsor
allow anyoneinfrontofthe machine.

12.Donotoverloadmachinecapacitybyattemptingto clear
snowattoofast of arate.

13.Neveroperatethis machinewithoutgoodvisibility or light.
Alwaysbe sureofyourfootingandkeepa firmholdonthe

handles.Walk,neverrun.

14.Disengagepowerto the auger/impellerwhentransportingor

notinuse.

15.Neveroperatemachineat hightransport speedsonslippery
surfaces.Lookdownand behindandusecare when

backingup.

16.Ifthe machineshouldstartto vibrateabnormally,stopthe
engine,disconnectthesparkplugwireandgroundit against
the engine.Inspectthoroughlyfordamage.Repairany
damagebeforestartingandoperating.

17.Disengageallcontrolleversandstopenginebeforeyou

leavethe operatingposition(behindthe handles).Wait
untilthe auger/impellercomestoa completestopbefore
uncloggingthe chuteassembly,makinganyadjustments,or
inspections.

18.Neverputyourhandin thedischargeor collectoropenings.
Alwaysuse theclean-outtoolprovidedtounclogthe dis-
chargeopening.Donot unclogchuteassemblywhileengine

isrunning.Shut offengineandremainbehindhandlesuntil

all movingpartshavestoppedbefore unclogging.

19.Useonly attachmentsandaccessoriesapprovedbythe

manufacturer(e.g.wheelweights,tirechains,cabsetc.).

20. Ifsituationsoccurwhichare notcoveredinthis manual,use
careand goodjudgment.Contactyourdealerorcallthe
customerservice numberfoundon pagetwo.

Maintenance & Storage

1. Nevertamperwithsafetydevices.Checktheir proper
operationregularly.Refertothe maintenanceandadjust-

mentsectionsofthis manual.

2. Beforecleaning,repairing,orinspectingmachinedisen-
gageall controlleversandstopthe engine.Wait untilthe
auger/impellercometoa completestop. Disconnectthe
sparkplugwireand groundagainstthe engineto prevent
unintendedstarting.

3. Checkbolts andscrewsfor propertightnessatfrequent
intervalstokeepthe machineinsafeworkingcondition.
Also,visuallyinspectmachinefor anydamage.

4. Do notchangetheenginegovernorsettingor over-speed
theengine.The governorcontrolsthemaximumsafe
operatingspeedoftheengine.

5. Snowthrowershaveplatesandskidshoesaresubjectto
wearanddamage.Foryoursafetyprotection,frequently

checkallcomponentsandreplacewith originalequipment
manufacturer's(OEM) partsonly."Useof partswhichdo

notmeetthe originalequipmentspecificationsmayleadto
improperperformanceandcompromisesafety!"

6. Checkcontrolsperiodicallytoverify theyengageand
disengageproperlyandadjust,if necessary.Referto the
adjustmentsectioninthis operator'smanualfor instructions.

7. Maintainor replacesafetyandinstructionlabels,as neces-
sary.

8. Observeproperdisposallawsandregulationsfor gas,oil,
etc.toprotectthe environment.

9. Priorto storing,runmachineafew minutestoclearsnow
frommachineandpreventfreezeupof auger/impeller.

10.Neverstorethemachineorfuel containerinsidewhere
thereisan openflame,sparkor pilotlightsuchas a water

heater,furnace,clothesdryeretc.

11.Alwaysreferto theoperator'smanualforproperinstructions
onoff-seasonstorage.

Do not modify engine
Toavoidseriousinjuryordeath,donot modifyengineinany

way.Tamperingwiththegovernorsettingcan leadto a runaway
engineandcauseit tooperateat unsafespeeds.Nevertamper
withfactorysettingofenginegovernor.

Notice regarding Emissions
Engineswhicharecertifiedto complywithCaliforniaandfederal

EPAemissionregulationsfor SORE(SmallOff RoadEquipment)
arecertifiedto operateonregularunleadedgasoline,andmay
includethefollowingemissioncontrolsystems:EngineModifica-
tion(EM)andThreeWayCatalyst(TWO)ifso equipped.

Your Responsibility

Restrictthe useofthis powermachineto personswhoread,un-
derstandandfollowthe warningsandinstructionsin thismanual
andon themachine.

Operation

WARNING

Thissymbol points
out importantsafety
instructions,which if
notfollowed,could

endangerthe personal
safety and/or property

of yourselfand others.

Readand followall

instructions inthis man-
ual before attemptingto

operatethis machine.

Failureto comply with

these instructionsmay
result in personalinjury.

Whenyou seethis
symbol.

HEED IT'S WARNING!

YourResponsibility

Restrictthe use

of this powermachine
to personswho read.

understand
and followthe warnings
and instructions

in this manua
and on the machine.

5

ii_Iiiiii_iili_i __ _i_!_:ii!__ii_!_ii_:_!I_II_

Adjustment

NOTE: ThisOperator'sManualcoversseveralmodels.
Snowthrowerfeaturesvarybymodel.Notall features
discussedin thismanualareapplicabletoall snow

throwermodels.
NOTE:All referencesto leftor rightsideof thesnow

throwerisfromthe operatingpositiononly

Contents of Carton

Cartoncontentsare listedbelowwithpart numbersin
parentheses.

1. TwoIgnitionKeys(725-0201)

2. 2.6ozBottleof2CycleOil (737-04037)

3. ExtensionCord(if soequipped)(629-0236)

WARNING

D_sconne0tt,espa_k

plugwireand ground

it against the engine

to preventunintended

startingl

I

NOTE:

ThisOperatoCsManual

covers several modelSl

SnowthrOWerfeatures

vary mode Not

all featuresdiscussed

in this manual are

applicable to all snow

thrower modelSl

NOTE:

referencesto left

or rightside of th(

snow thrower is

from the operating

Handle

Figure 3-1

Figure 2

_ WARNING: Disconnectthe spark plug

wire and ground itagainst the engineto

preventunintended starting.

Positioning the Upper

Handle

Removepackingmaterial,ifpresent.

1. Makingsurenot topinchthecableintheprocess,
pivottheupperhandleintotheoperatingpositionas
illustratedinFigure3-1untilit clicksintoplace.

2. Tightenthewingknobstosecurethe handleinplace
asin Figure3-1.

Assembling the

Chute assembly

Forshippingreasons,the snowthrowerhasbeen
packagedwiththeupperchutepivotedallthe waydown.
Topivotit upward,proceedasfollows:

.

Turnthechuteuntilthe chuteopeningisfacing
straightahead. Removethestarknobandcarriage
boltfromthe lowerchute. SeeFigure3-2.

.

Pivottheupperchuteupwardoverthe lip onthelower
chutesothatthere isNOgap betweentheupper

chuteandthelowerchute.

.

Resecurewiththe hardwarejust removed.If installed
correctly,your snowthrowershouldlooklikeFigure

3-3.

IMPORTANT:Do notusethechutehandleto liftthe
snowthrower.

Figure 3

6