MTD 31A-3BAD729, 31A-3BAD700, 31A-3AAD700 Owner’s Manual

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

A O A AL

Tw0-Stae n0wThr0wer- els

iMPORTANT

READ SAFETY RULES AND iNSTRUCTiONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION

Warning: Thisunit isequippedwithan internalcombustionengineandshouldnot 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.

FORMNO.769-00747D

PRINTEDIN U.S.A.

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

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

1. Safety Labels ............................................... 3

2. Safe Operation Practices ............................ 4

3. Setting UpYour Snow Thrower ................... 6

4. Know Your Snow Thrower ........................... 8

5. Operating Your Snow Thrower .................... g

Finding and Recording Model Number

BEFOREYOU STARTASSEMBLING
YOURNEW EQUIPMENT,

please locatethe modelplate on the equipmentandcopythe
informationto thesample modelplate providedtothe right.
Youcan locatethe model plateby standing at the operating

position and lookingdown at the rear ofthe snowthrower.
Thisinformationwill be necessaryto use the manufacturer's
website and/or obtain assistancefromthe CustomerSupport

Departmentoran authorizedservice dealer.

6. Adjustments & Maintenance .................... 12

7. Off-Season Storage ................................... 14

8. Troubleshooting ......................................... 15

g. Parts List .................................................... 16

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

Model Number

Serial Number

MTD LLC

P.O. BOX 361131

CLEVELAND, OH 44136
330-220-4683

_www.rntdproducts.corn

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 from the options below:

1. Visit mtdproducts.com Click on the Service & Support 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.

MTD _rit_r_fi_a_

Award Winning _rod_f_ O,_rCc,mp_y

Ser,_ice 8_Supper±
Product. Registration

Priwey P_y

2

1.KEEPAWAYFROMROTATINGAUGER
CONTACTWiTHAUGERCANAMPUTATE

HANDS AND FEET.

2.DISENGAGECLUTCHLEVERS,STOPENGINE,

ANDREMAINBEHINDHANDLESUNTILALL
MOVINGPARTSHAVESTOPPEDBEFORE
UNCLOGGINGOR SERViCiNGMACHINE.

3.TO AVOIDTHROWN OBJECTSiNJURiES,

NEVERDIRECTDISCHARGEATBYSTANDERS.
USEEXTRACAUTIONWHENOPERATINGON
GRAVELSURFACES.

4.READOPERATOR'SMANUAL

Safety

WARNING

Thissymbolpoints
out importantsafety

instructionswhich,if
notfollowed,could
endangerthepersonal
safetyand/or property

of yourselfandothers.

Readandfollowall

instructionsinthis

manualbeforeat-
temptingto operate

this machine.Failure
to complywiththese

instructionsmayresult
in personalinjury.When

youseethis symbol.

HEED ITS WARNING!
Your Responsibility

Restrictthe use
ofthis power machine

to persons who read,

understand
and follow thewarnings

and instructions

in this manual
and onthe 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: This machinewas built to be operatedaccordingto the rulesfor safe operation in this
manual.As with any type of powerequipment,carelessnessor error on the part ofthe operator can
result in seriousinjury.This machine is capable of amputatinghands andfeet andthrowing objects.

Failureto observethe followingsafety instructionscould resultinserious injuryordeath.

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.

this manualand shouldbetrainedand supervisedbya

parent.

4. Neverallowadultsto operatethis machinewithoutproper
instruction.

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

towardroads,bystandersandthe like.

6. Keepbystanders,helpers,petsandchildrenat least75feet 5.

fromthe machinewhileit isin operation.Stopmachineif

anyoneentersthearea. 6.

7. Exercisecautiontoavoidslippingor falling,especially 7.
whenoperatingin reverse.

Preparation

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

wiresand otherforeignobjects,whichcouldbetripped over
orthrownbythe auger/impeller.
Alwayswearsafetyglassesor eyeshieldsduringoperation
andwhile performinganadjustmentorrepairto protectyour
eyes.Thrownobjectswhichricochetcancause serious
injurytothe eyes.

Do notoperatewithoutwearingadequatewinterouter
garments.Donotwearjewelry,longscarvesorother
looseclothing,whichcould becomeentangledin moving
parts.Wearfootwearwhich willimprovefootingonslippery

surfaces.
Useagroundedthree-wireextensioncordand receptacle

forall units withelectric startengines.

Adjustcollectorhousingheighttocleargravelorcrushed
rocksurfaces.

Disengageallcontrolleversbeforestartingthe engine.
Neverattemptto makeanyadjustmentswhileengineis

running,exceptwherespecificallyrecommendedinthe
operator'smanual.

8,

Letengineandmachineadjusttooutdoortemperature
beforestartingtoclearsnow.

9.

Toavoidpersonalinjuryorpropertydamageuseextreme
careinhandlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammable
andthe vaporsare explosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycan
occurwhengasolineis spilledonyourselforyourclothes,
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. Neveroverfill fueltank. Filltankto nomorethanY2inch

belowbottomoffiller neckto providespacefor fuel
expansion.

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

ment.Movemachinetoanotherarea.Wait5minutes
beforestartingtheengine.

i. Neverstorethe machineorfuel containerinsidewhere

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

waterheater,spaceheater,clothesdryeretc.).

j. Allowmachinetocoolat least5minutesbeforestoring.

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. Donotoperatemachinewhileunderthe influenceofalcohol

or drugs.

7. Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcan causea burn.Do
nottouch.

8. Exerciseextremecautionwhenoperatingonorcrossing

gravelsurfaces.Stayalertfor hiddenhazardsortraffic.

9. Exercisecautionwhenchangingdirectionandwhileoperat-
ingon slopes.

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

11.Neverdirectdischargeatchildren,bystandersand 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,
usecareand goodjudgment.Contactyourdealeror call
[phone]forassistanceandthe nameofyournearest

servicingdealer..

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.to protectthe 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

Practices

WARNING

Thissymbol points
out importantsafety

nstructions,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

_ndinstructions

in this manua
and on the machine.

5

IMPORTANT:Thisunit isshippedwiththeenginefull of
oil.Afterassembly,seepage9for fuelandoil details.

Before Assembly

Chute Handle

WARNING

Disconnectthe

spark plug wire

and ground it

against the engine

to prevent

unintendedstarting.

Do not use the

chute handle to lift

the snow thrower.

Referto thetire's

sidewallfor proper
PSiinflation.Equal

tirepressureshould

bemaintainedat all

times.Excessive

i pressurewhenseat=

ingbeadsmaycause

tire/rimassembly

to burstwithforce
sufficient to cause

seriousinjury.

_ WARNING:Disconnectthe spark plug

NOTE:Referencetoright,left,frontor rearofthe unitis
fromtheoperatingpositionunlessotherwisestated.

1. Cutthecabletiethatsecurestheupperhandleto
thechuteassemblyforshippingpurposes.

wire and Ground it against the engine
to prevent unintendedstarting.

Setting Up The Handle

1. Loosenthe chuteknobontheupperchute(l) and
pivottheupperchuteupwards(2)as faras itwillgo.
SeeFigure1.

,_ WARNING:Donot lift the snow thrower by

2. Loosenthehandleknob,saddlewasherandhandle

3. Holdbothcontrolsagainstupperhandleandpullup

CAUTION:Be careful notto bend or kink thecable.

4. Tightenthehandleknobsoneachsideofthe

5. Adjustupperchuteandrotatechutehandleto

6. Tightenthechuteknobon theupperchutemaking

the chute handle.

taboneachsideof thehandle.SeeFigure2.

asshownin Step1 ofFigure3. Makesurethatthe
upperhandlelocksoverthelowerhandleandhandle
tabsalignwiththehandle.Youmayhavetocarefully
maneuvertheupperhandleto clearchuteassembly.

handle.Referto Step2 inFigure3.

desiredoperatingposition.

surethe flatwasherandthecarriageboltare
correctlypositioned.Referto Figure1.

Clean-Out Tool

Thistoolandthe electricextensioncord,ifso equipped,
maybefastenedwitha cabletieto therearoftheauger
housingforshippingpurposes.Inthatcase,cutthe

cabletie and removetheextensioncordnow.

Final Adjustments

IMPORTANT:Checktheadjustmentsasinstructedand
makeanyfinaladjustmentsnecessarybeforeoperating
theunit.Checkall nutsandboltsfortightness.Failureto

followtheseinstructionsmaycausedamagetounit.

J

Figure 1

f

Figure 2

NOTEI

All references toleft

orright side of the
snow throweris

operating

position only.

Tire Pressure (Pneumatic Tires)

Thetiresareover-inflatedforshippingpurposes.Check
tirepressureand reducepressure,ifneeded.Referto
thetire'ssidewallfortheproperinflationPSiinformation.
Maintainequalpressureonbothwheelsofsnowthrower.

WARNING:Referto the tire's sidewall

A or properPSiinflation.Equaltire

pressureshould be maintained at
all times. Excessivepressurewhen
seating beadsmay causetire/rim
assembly to burst with force sufficient

Figure 3

6