MTD 31AE160-163, 31AE160-062, 160 Owner’s Manual

OPERATOR'S MANUAL

Single-Stage

Snow Thrower

Models 140

150
160

IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment.

Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest.covered,

brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state
laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator. In the State of California the above
is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal
lands. A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest engine authodzed service dealer or contact the service department,
P.O. Box 361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019.

MTD LLC,P.O.BOX361131CLEVELAND,OHIO44136-0019

PRINTED IN U.S.A. FORM NO. 769-00805

(6/2003)

TABLEOFCONTENTS

Content Page

Important Safe Operation Practices ......................................................................................... 3

Assembling Your Snow Thrower .............................................................................................. 5

Know Your Snow Thrower ........................................................................................................ 6

Operating Your Snow Thrower ................................................................................................. 7

Making Adjustments ................................................................................................................. 8

Maintaining Your Snow Thrower .............................................................................................. 8

Off-Season Storage ................................................................................................................. 9

Troubleshooting ....................................................................................................................... 10

Accessories & Kits ................................................................................................................... 11

Parts List .................................................................................................................................. 12

FINDINGMODELNUMBER

This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new snow thrower. It will help you to assemble, prepare and
maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.

Before you start assembling your new snow thrower, please locate the model plate on the
equipment and copy the informationfrom it inthe space provided below. The information on the
model plate is very important if you need help from our Customer Support Department or an

authorized dealer.

You can locate the model number by standing behind the unit in the operating position and looking down at
the dash panel. A sample model plate is explained below. For future reference, please copy the model
number and the serial number of the equipment in the space below.

Copy the model number here:

MTo f(°'°..c

_,l,J,J __ L _Jmmm® 330-220-4663

• www.mtdproducts.com 600-600-7310

P. O. BOX 361131

CLEVELAND,OH 44136

Copy the serial number here:

ENGINEINFORMATION

The engine manufacturer is responsible for all engine-related issues with regards to performance, power-rating,
specifications, warranty and service. Please refer to the engine manufacturer's Owner's/Operator's Manual packed
separately with your unit for more information.

CALLINGCUSTOMERSUPPORT

Pleasedo NOTreturntheunitto theretailer fromwhichit waspurchased,withoutfirstcontactingCustomerSupport.

Should you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation or
maintenance of this unit, please call the Customer Support Department.

Call 1- (33O) 220-4MTD (4683) or 1- (80O) 8OO-7310 to reach a Customer Support representative.
Please have your unit's model number and serial number ready when you call. See previous section
to locate this information. You will be asked to enter the serial number in order to process your call.

SECTION1: IMPORTANTSAFEOPERATIONPRACTICES

WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the

personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual before

attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you
see this symbol--heed its warning.

WARNING: Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals

known to State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

DANGER: This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this manual. As with

any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury. This
machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety

instructions could result in serious injury or death.

Training

1. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the
machine and in the manual(s) before attempting to

assemble and operate. Keep this manual in a safe place

for future and regular reference and for ordering

replacement parts.

2. Be familiar with all controls and their proper operation.
Know how to stop the machine and disengage them

quickly.

3. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate this
machine. Children 14 years old and over should read and

understand the operation instructions and safety rules in
this manual and should be trained and supervised by a

parent.

4. Never allow adults to operate this machine without
proper instruction.

5. Thrown objects can cause serious personal injury. Plan
your snow throwing pattern to avoid discharge of material

toward roads, bystanders and the like.

6. Keep bystanders, helpers, pets and children at least 75

feet from the machine while it is inoperation. Stop

machine if anyone enters the area.

7. Exercise caution to avoid slipping or falling, especially
when operating in reverse.

Preparation

1. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to
be used. Remove all door mats, newspapers, sleds,

boards, wires and other foreign objects which could be
tripped over or thrown by the auger/impeller.

2. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields during
operation and while performing an adjustment or repair to

protect your eyes. Thrown objects which ricochet can
cause serious injury to the eyes.

3. Do not operate without wearing adequate winter outer
garments. Do not wear jewelry, long scarves or other

loose clothing which could become entangled in moving
parts. Wear footwear which will improve footing on

slippery surfaces.

4. Use agrounded three wire extension cord and receptacle

for all units with electric start engines.

5. Adjust collector housing height to clear gravel or crushed
rock surfaces.

6. Disengage the control handle before starting the engine.

7. Never attempt to make any adjustments while engine is
running, except where specifically recommended inthe

operator's manual.

8. Let engine and machine adjust to outdoor temperature
before starting to clear snow.

9. To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme

care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely
flammable and the vapors are explosive. Serious

personal injury can occur when gasoline is spilled on

yourself or your clothes which can ignite. Wash your skin
and change clothes immediately.

a. Use only an approved gasoline container.
b. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other

sources of ignition.

c. Never fuel machine indoors.
d. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the

engine is hot or running.

e. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before

refueling.

f. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than

½ inch below bottom of filler neck to provide space
for fuel expansion.

g. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
h. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and

equipment. Move machine to another area. Wait 5
minutes before starting the engine.

L Never store the machine or fuel container inside

where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light
(e.g. furnace, water heater, space heater, clothes

dryer etc.).

j. Allow machine to cool at least 5 minutes before

storing.

Operation

1. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts, in the auger/
impeller housing or discharge chute. Contact with the

rotating parts can amputate hands and feet.

2. The auger/impeller control handle is a safety device.
Never bypass its operation. Doing so, makes the

machine unsafe and may cause personal injury.

3. The control handle must operate easily in both directions

and automatically return to the disengaged position when

released.

4. Never operate with a missing or damaged discharge
chute. Keep all safety devices in place and working.

5. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated
area. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an

odorless and deadly gas.

6. Do not operate machine while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.

7. Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancauseaburn.Do
nottouch.

8. Exerciseextremecautionwhenoperatingonorcrossing
gravelsurfaces.Stayalertforhiddenhazardsortraffic.

9. Exercisecautionwhenchangingdirectionandwhile
operatingonslopes.

10.Planyoursnowthrowingpatterntoavoiddischarge
towardswindows,walls,carsetc.Toavoidproperty

damageorpersonalinjurycausedbyaricochet.

11.Neverdirectdischargeatchildren,bystandersandpets
orallowanyoneinfrontofthemachine.

12.Donotoverloadmachinecapacitybyattemptingtoclear
snowattoofastofarate.

13.Neveroperatethismachinewithoutgoodvisibilityor
light.Alwaysbesureofyourfootingandkeepafirmhold

onthehandles.Walk,neverrun.

14.Disengagepowertotheauger/impellerwhen
transportingornotinuse.

15.Neveroperatemachineathightransportspeedson
slipperysurfaces.Lookdownandbehindandusecare
wheninreverse.

16.Ifthemachineshouldstarttovibrateabnormally,stopthe
engine,disconnectthesparkplugandgrounditagainst

theengine.Inspectthoroughlyfordamage.Repairany
damagebeforestartingandoperating.

17.Disengagethecontrolhandleandstopenginebeforeyou
leavetheoperatingposition(behindthehandles).Wait

untiltheaugedimpellercomestoacompletestopbefore
uncloggingthedischargechute,makingany

adjustments,orinspections.

18.Neverputyourhandinthedischargeorcollector
openings.Alwaysuseaclearingtooltounclogthe

dischargeopening.

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

20.Ifsituationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthismanual,
usecareand good judgment. Contact your dealer or

telephone [phone] for assistance and the name
of your nearest servicing dealer.

MaintenanceAndStorage

1. Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper
operation regularly.

2. Disengage the control handle and stop engine. Wait until
the auger/impeller come to a complete stop. Disconnect

the spark plug wire and ground against the engine to

prevent unintended starting before cleaning, repairing, or
inspecting.

3. Check bolts, and screws for proper tightness at frequent

intervals to keep the machine in safe working condition.

Also, visually inspect machine for any damage.

4. Do not change the engine governor setting or over-speed
the engine. The governor controls the maximum safe

operating speed of the engine.

5. Snow thrower shave plates and skid shoes are subject to
wear and damage. For your safety protection, frequently

check all components and replace with original
equipment manufacturer's (O.EM.) parts only. "Use of

parts which do not meet the original equipment

specifications may lead to improper performance and
compromise safety!"

6. Check clutch controls periodically to verify they engage
and disengage properly and adjust, if necessary. Refer to

the adjustment section in this operator's manual for

instructions.

7. Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as

necessary.

8. Observe proper disposal laws and regulations for gas,
oil, etc. to protect the environment.

9. Prior to storing, run machine a few minutes to clear snow
from machine and prevent freeze up of auger/impeller.

10. Never store the machine or fuel container inside where
there is an open flame, spark or pilot light such as a water

heater, furnace, clothes dryer etc.

11. Always refer to the operator's manual for proper

instructions on off-season storage.

YourResponsibility:

Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who

read, understand and follow the warnings and
instructions in this manual and on the machine.

SECTION2: ASSEMBLINGYOURSNOWTHROWER

NOTE: This Operator's Manual covers several models.

Snow thrower features vary by model. Not all
features discussed in this manual are applicable to all

snow thrower models.

ContentsofCarton

Carton contents are listed below with part numbers in
parentheses.

Two Ignition Keys (725-0201)
Bottle of 2 cycle oil
Extension Cord (if so equipped)

NOTE: All references to left or right side of the snow

thrower is from the operating position only.

_, WARNING: Disconnect the spark plug wire

and ground it against the engine to prevent

unintended starting.

PositioningtheUpperHandle

Remove packing material, if present, and loosen

the wing knobs found on each side of the handle.

Making sure not to pinch or crimp the cable in the
process, pivot the upper handle intothe operating
position as illustrated in Figure 1 until it clicks into
place.
Tighten the wing knobs to secure the handle in
place.

AssemblingtheDischargeChute

For shipping reasons, the snow thrower has been
packaged with the upper chute pivoted all the way
down. To pivot it upward, proceed as follows:

Turn the chute until the chute opening is facing
straight ahead.

Remove the wing knob, flat washer and carriage

bolt from the lower chute. See Figure 2.

Pivot the upper chute upward over the lip on the
lower chute so that there is NO gap between the

upper chute and the lower chute. See Figure 2.

Resecure with the hardware just removed.

Handle to lift the machine.
CAUTION:Do not use the Chute

Carriage Bolt
and Flat Washer

Knob

Figure 1

Figure 2

Wing Knob