MTD 315E646F190 User Manual

SNOW BOSS 500 SNOW BOSS 850

SNOW BOSS 1050

Model Nos.

315-616E190

315E646F190

315E666H190

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

Thank you for purchasing an American-built product.

(Model 646F Shown)

FORM NO. 770-8759K

IMPORTANT

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

AHEMPTING TO OPERATE YOUR SNOW THROWER. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSON AL INJURY. WHEN YOU SEE THIS SYMBOL— ^ HEED ITS WARNING.

Your snow thrower was built to be operated according to the ruies for safe operation in this manual. As

DANGER: with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious

injury. If you violate any of these rules, you may cause serious injury to yourself or others.

SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES

TRAINING

1. Read this owner’s guide carefully in its entirety before attempt ing to assemble or operate this machine. Be completely famil iar with the controls and the proper use of this machine before operating it. Keep this manual in a safe place for future and regular reference and for ordering replacement parts.

2. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate a snow thrower. Children 14 years old and over should only operate snow thrower under close parental supervision. Only persons well acquainted with these rules of safe operation should be allowed to use your snow thrower.

3. No one should operate this unit while intoxicated or while tak ing medication that impairs the senses or reactions.

4. Keep the area of operation clear of all persons, especially small children and pets.

5. 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 and remove all door mats, sleds, boards, wires and other for eign objects.

2. Disengage all clutches and shift into neutral before starting engine.

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

loose clothing which could become entangled in moving parts.

Wear footwear which will improve footing on slippery surfaces.

4. Before working with gasoline, extinguish ail cigarettes and

other sources of ignition. Check the fuel before starting the

engine. Gasoline is an extremely flammable fuel. Do not fill the

gasoline tank indoors, while the engine is running, or until engine has been allowed to cool at least two minutes. Replace gasoline cap securely and wipe off any spilled gasoline before starting the engine as it may cause a fire or explosion.

5. Use a grounded three wire plug-in for all units with electric drive motors or electric starting motors.

6. Adjust collector housing height to clear gravel or crushed rock

surface.

7. Never attempt to make any adjustments while engine is running

(except where specificaliy recommended by manufacturer).

8. Let engine and machine adjust to outdoor temperature before

starting to clear snow,

9. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields during operation or

while performing an adjustment or repair, to protect eyes from^ foreign objects that may be thrown from the machine in any direction.

OPERATION

1. Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts. Keep clear of discharge opening and auger at all times.

2. Exercise extreme caution when operating on or crossing gravel drives, walks, or roads. Stay alert for hidden hazards or traffic,

Do not carry passengers.

3. After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, remove wire from spark plug, and thoroughly inspect the snow thrower for any damage. Repair the damage before restarting and operat

ing the snow thrower.

4. If the snow thrower should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the engine and check immediately for the cause. Vibration is gen erally a warning of trouble.

5. Stop engine whenever you ieave the operating position, before unclogging the collector/impeller housing or discharge guide, and making any repairs, adjustments, or inspections. Never place your hand in the discharge or collector openings. Use a stick or wooden broom handle to unclog the discharge open ing.

6. Take ail possible precautions when leaving the unit unattended. Disengage the collector/impeller, shift into neutral, stop the engine, and remove the key.

7. When cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain collec tor/impeller and all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect spark plug wire and keep away from plug to prevent accidental starting.

8. Do not run engine indoors, except when starting engine and transporting snow thrower in or out of building. Open doors. Exhaust fumes are dangerous.

9. Do not clear snow across the face of slopes. Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes. Do not attempt to clear steep slopes.

10. Never operate snow thrower without guards, plates, or other safety protection devices in place.

11. Never operate snow thrower near glass enclosure, automo biles, window wells, drop off, etc., without proper adjustments of snow thrower discharge angle. Keep children and pets away.

12. Do not overload machine capacity by attempting to clear snow at too fast a rate.

13. Never operate the machine at high transport speeds on slip pery surfaces. Look behind and use care when backing.

14. Never direct discharge at bystanders or allow anyone in front of unit.

15. Disengage power to collector/impeller when transporting or

not in use.

16. Use only attachments and accessories approved by the manu facturer of snow thrower (such as wheel weights, counter weights, cabs, etc.).

17. Never operate the snow thrower without good visibility or light. Always be sure of your footing and keep a firm hold on the

handles. Walk, never run.

18. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do not touch.

I\4AINTENANCE AND STORAGE

1. Check shear bolts, engine mounting bolts, etc., at frequent intervals for proper tightness to be sure equipment is in safe working condition.

2. Never store the machine with fuel in the fuel tank inside a building where ignition sources are present, such as hot water and space heaters, clothes dryers, and the like. Allow engine to cool before storing in any enclosure.

3. Always refer to owner's guide instructions for important details if snow thrower is to be stored for an extended period.

4. Run machine a few minutes after throwing snow to prevent freeze up of collector/impeller.

5. Check clutch controls periodically to verify they engage and disengage properly and readjust if necessary. Refer to owner's guide for adjustment instructions.

CONTENTS OF HARDWARE PACK

Lay out the hardware according to the illustration for identification purposes. Parts are illustrated approximately one-half size. Part numbers are shown in parentheses.

{Hardware pack may contain extra items which are not used on your unit.)

ATTACHING THE HANDLE ASSEMBLY

Hex Bolts rrnrnTI

5/16-18 X1-3/4" ^

Long (710-3180)

^^L-1/4-20 Thread

(736-0287)

5/16-18x5/8"

Long (710-0538)

—Was hers

5/16" I.D.

(736-0119)

Hex Bolts*

1/4-20 X

7/8" Long

(710-0252)

Carriage

Bolts*“

5/16-18 X

1-1/2" Long

(710-1250)

Hex Bolts

Handle Tabs

(784-5599)

Lock

Cupped

Washers*

1/4" I.D—

(736-0270)

C“P^gWa8hers*-4 O ) ( O K O ) ( O

(£)

ATTACHING THE CHUTE ASSEMBLY

1/4-20 X 3/4" Long

Hex Lock Nuts 1/4-20 Thread

(712-3027)

Hex Bolts

(710-3015)

Chute Flange

Keepers

(731-0851)

(736-0242)

Hex Nuts*

5/16-18 Thread (712-0267)-».O

*May be preassembled on your unit.

ATTACHING THE CHUTE CRANK

Flat Washers

3/8" I.D. X 5/8" O.D.

(736-0140)

Lock Washer

Cotter Pin (714-0507)

AUGER SHEAR BOLTS

The augers are secured to the spiral shaft with two hex bolts and hex

insert lock nuts. If you hit a foreign object or ice jam, the snow thrower is

designed so that the hex bolts wilt shear. Two replacement hex bolts and

nuts are provided for your convenience. Store in a safe place until needed.

5/16-18 Thread

(712-0267)

Hex Bolt

5/16-18x1-1/2"

Long —•

(710-0442)

5/16" I.D.

(736-0119)

Hex Nut

too

----

ATTACHING THE SHIFT ROD AND CLUTCH CABLES

[o]3u-(

9)(o

(§h~

CgDCÿ

Ferrule

711-0677)

Flat Washers

5/16" I.D. X 5/8" O.D.

(736-0264)

Spring Washer

5/16" I.D.

(736-0271)

5/16-18x1-1/2'

Hairpin Clips

(714-0104)

Hex Bolts

Long

(710-0890)

Hex Nuts

(Come with

Clutch Cables)

Hex Lock Nuts

5/16-18 Thread

(712-0158)

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

IMPORTANT: This unit is shipped WITHOUT GASOLINE or OIL. After assembly, see separate engine manual for proper fuel and engine oil rec ommendations.

NOTE: Reference to right or left side of the snow thrower is from behind the unit In the operating position.

Toois Required for Assembly:

(2) 1/2" Wrenches* (2) 7/16" Wrenches* (1) Pair of Pliers

*or Adjustable Wrenches

UNPACKING

1. Remove staples or break glue on the top flaps of the carton. Remove any loose parts included with

unit (i.e., owner’s manual, etc.).

2. Cut along dotted lines and lay end of carton down flat. Remove packing material.

3. Roll unit out of carton. Check carton thoroughly

for loose parts.

Loose Parts in Carton:

(1) Right Handle

(1) Left Handle

(1) Handle Panel Assembly and Chute Assembly

(Attached by Cable) (1) Chute Crank Assembly (1) Shift Rod

AHACHING THE HANDLE ASSEMBLY (Hardware A)

1. Place right handle in position against the snow thrower so the flat side of the handle Is against

the snow thrower. Secure bottom hole in handle to snow thrower using hex bolt 5/8" long and lock

------washer. See figure 1. Do not tighten at this time.

2. Place handle tab over the upper hole in handle so the curve in the handle tab matches the curve in the handle. Secure to the snow thrower using hex bolt 1-3/4" long and lock washer. Do not tighten at this time.

3. Attach the left handle in the same manner. Do not tighten at this time.

NOTE: If the handle panel is already assembled to the handles, skip steps 4, 5 and 6. Go to step 7.

Cupped Washer

Hex Nut

Cupped Washer

FIGURE 2.—Model 646F Shown

4. Place handle panel in position between the han

dles so the ends of the handle go through the slots in the handle panel. See figure 2.

5. Secure front of handle panel with four carriage bolts, cupped washers (cupped side against the

— handle panel) and hex nuts as shown in figure 2.

6. Secure rear of handle panel with two hex bolts,

cupped washers (cupped side against the handle) and hex nuts.

7. Tighten the four hex bolts used to attach the bot

tom of the handles to the snow thrower frame.

AHACHING THE CHUTE ASSEMBLY (Hardware B)

1. Grease the chute opening using a multi-purpose automotive grease or equivalent.

2. Place chute assembly over chute opening, with the opening in the chute assembly facing the front of the unit. Place chute flange keepers beneath lip of chute assembly. Insert hex bolt up through chute flange keeper and chute assembly as

-----

shown in figure 3. Secure with hex lock nut. After

assembling all three chute flange keepers, tighten all nuts and bolts securely, then back off 1/4 turn to allow easier movement.

AHACHING THE CHUTE CRANK (Hardware C)

1. Insert hex bolt through the upper chute crank

-----

bracket. See figure 4.

2. Place the hex bolt into the hole provided in the left handle. Secure with lock washer and hex nut. Do not tighten until after attaching the other end of the chute crank.

FIGURE 4.

Cotter nr

Pin , W

FIGURE 6.

Lower V'

Chute Crank

Bracket

Carriage Bolts Hex Lock Nuts

Plastic

Bushing

3. Loosen the carriage bolts and hex lock nuts which secure the lower chute crank bracket to the

------

extension on the left side of the chute assembly.

See figure 5.

4. Place one flat washer on the end of the chute crank, then insert the end of the crank into the hole in the plastic bushing in the chute crank

— bracket. See figure 6. Place the other flat washer

on the end of the chute crank, and insert cotter pin into hole in the end of crank. Secure by bend ing the ends of cotter pin in opposite directions.

5. Adjust the chute bracket so that the spiral on the chute crank fully engages the teeth on the chute assembly. Tighten the nuts on the lower chute crank bracket securely. Tighten the hex bolt and nut on the upper chute crank bracket on the han dle.

Cable Guide

6. Models 646F and 666H only: Slip the cables that run from the handle panel to the chute into

— the cable guide located on top of the engine. See

figure 7.

FIGURE 7.

IMPORTANT: Attach the shift rod and clutch cables as follows. THEN CHECK THE ADJUSTMENTS AS INSTRUCTED, AND MAKE ANY FINAL ADJUSTMENTS NECESSARY BEFORE OPERATING YOUR SNOW THROWER. Failure to follow the Instructions may cause damage to the snow thrower.

Traction

Drive

Clutch

FIGURE 8.

Spring

\ ^^^Washer

Fiat Washer

Bottom

Hole

AHACHING THE SHIFT ROD (Hardware D)

1. Insert the ferrule through the lower hole in the shift lever (beneath the handle panel) from the left side. Secure with flat washer and hairpin clip. See

------

figure 8.

2. Place the shift lever in the sixth (6) speed position {all the way forward).

3. Start threading the shift rod into the ferrule. Push down on the shift arm assembly as far as it will go. Thread shift rod into the ferrule until the end of the shift rod lines up with the hole in the shift

arm assembly. Secure with spring washer, flat

washer and hairpin clip.

Make certain to check for correct adjustment of the

shift rod as instructed in the Final Adjustment section

before operating the snow thrower.

AHACHING THE CLUTCH CABLES

The “Z” end of the clutch cables are hooked into the

clutch grips on each handle. Attach cables as follows.

1. Thread the hex lock nuts (in hardware pack) all the way up the threaded portion of the “Z’ ends of the clutch cables.

2. Make certain each cable is in groove of cable roller guides. Place the clutch grip in the raised (up) position.

3. Thread the cable onto the threaded portion of the “Z end until there is no slack in the cable, but the

cable is NOT tight. Do not overtighten cable. See figure 9.

WARNING: If cable is tightened so there is tension on the cable with the clutch

4. When correct adjustment is reached, tighten the

grip released, the safety features of the snow thrower may be overridden.

hex nut against the bottom portion of the cable to lock it in position.

Now release the traction drive clutch grip, and spin

the wheels again. Move the shift lever back to the fast

reverse position, then all the way forward again. There should be no resistance in the shift lever, and the wheels should keep turning.

If you have resistance when moving the shift lever or the wheels stop when they should not, loosen the lock nut on the traction drive cable and unthread the cable one turn. If the wheels do not stop when you engage the traction drive clutch grip, loosen the lock nut on the traction drive cable and thread the cable in one turn. Recheck the adjustment and repeat adjustment as necessary. Tighten the lock nut to secure the cable when correct adjustment is reached.

NOTE: If you are uncertain that you have reached the correct adjustment, refer to the Adjustment section on

page 10.

ADJUSTING THE SKID SHOES

The space between the shave plate and the ground can be adjusted. For close snow removal, place skid shoes in the low position. Use middle or high position when area to be cleared is uneven. See figure 10.

Adjust skid shoes by loosening the four hex nuts and carriage bolts and moving skid shoes to desired posi tion. Make certain the entire bottom surface of skid shoe is against the ground to avoid uneven wear on the skid shoes. Retighten nuts and bolts securely.

FINAL ADJUSTMENTS

Auger Drive Clutch

To check the adjustment of the auger drive clutch, push forward on the left hand clutch grip (depress the

rubber bumper). There should be slack in the cable.

Release the clutch grip. The cable should be straight. Make certain you can depress the auger drive clutch grip against the left handle completely.

If necessary, loosen the hex lock nut and thread the cable in (for less slack) or out (for more slack) as nec essary. Refer to figure 9. Recheck the adjustment. Tighten the lock nut against the cable when correct adjustment is reached.

Traction Drive Clutch and Shift Lever Adjustment

To check the adjustment of the traction drive clutch and shift lever, tip the snow thrower fonvard so that it rests on the auger housing. First move the shift lever alt the way fonvard to sixth (6) position. With the trac tion drive lever released, spin the snow thrower wheels by hand. They should turn freely. Then engage the traction drive clutch grip. The wheels should stop turning.

FIGURE 10.

OPTIONAL ELECTRIC STARTER

If your unit is equipped with an optional electric starter which has not been installed at the factory, install at this time. Follow the instructions packed with the elec

tric starter for installation.

TIRE PRESSURE (Pneumatic Tires)

The tires are over-inflated for shipping purposes. Check tire pressure and reduce to 15 to 20 psi.

NOTE: If the tire pressure is not equal in both tires,

the unit may pull to one side or the other.

CONTROLS

SHIFT LEVER

(See figures 11 and 12)

The shift lever is located in the center of the handle panel. The shift lever may be moved into one of eight positions.

Run engine with throttle in the fast posi tion. Use the shift lever to determine ground speed.

Forward—one of six speeds. Position

number one (1) is the slowest. Position

number six (6) is the fastest.

Reverse—two reverse (R) speeds. “R” closest to the operator (all the way

back) is the faster of the two.

AUGER DRIVE (See figure 11)

The auger drive clutch is located on the left handle.

Squeeze the clutch grip to engage the augers.

Release to stop the snow throwing action. (Traction

drive clutch must also be released.)

FIGURE 12.

CHUTE CRANK (See figure 11)

The chute crank is located on left hand side of the snow thrower.

To change the direction in which snow is thrown, turn chute crank as follows:

1. Crank clockwise to discharge to the left.

2. Crank counterclockwise to discharge to the right.

CHUTE TILT CONTROL (See figure 11)

Models 646F and 666H only: The distance snow is thrown can be adjusted by adjusting the angle of the chute assembly. Move the chute tilt control fonvard to decrease the distance, toward the rear to increase.

Model 616E only: To adjust chute assembly, loosen

the hand knob. Pivot the top of the chute assembly to

position desired. Retighten the hand knob. The sharp er the angle, the shorter the distance snow is thrown.

THROTTLE CONTROL (See figure 13)

The throttle control is located on the engine. It regu

lates the speed of the engine.

SAFETY IGNITION SWITCH (See figure 13)

The ignition key must be inserted in the switch before the unit will start. Remove the ignition key when snow

thrower is not in use.

Starter Button

Rope Starter

Handle

Switch

Box

Spark

Plug

TRACTION DRIVE/AUGER CLUTCH LOCK

(See figure 11)

The traction drive clutch is located on the right handle.

Squeeze the traction drive clutch to engage the wheel

drive. Release to stop.

This same lever also locks the auger clutch so you

can turn the chute crank without interrupting the snow throwing process. If the auger drive clutch is engaged with the traction drive clutch engaged, the operator can release the auger drive clutch (on the left handle) and the augers will remain engaged. Release the traction drive clutch to stop both the augers and wheel drive (auger drive clutch must also be released).

Ignition

Key

FIGURE 13.—Model 646F Shown

Throttle

Control

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