MTD 31A-6ACE700 Owner’s Manual
Safety ° Assembly ° Operation ° Maintenance °Troubleshooting ° Parts Lists °Warranty
O P RA-rO R'S MANUAL
Two-Stage Snow Thrower m C, D Style
IMPORTANT
READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION
Warning: Thisunitisequippedwithaninternalcombustionengineandshouldnotbeusedon ornearanyuniiprovedforest-covered,brush-
coveredor grass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemisequippedwitha sparkattestermeetingapplicablelocalor statelaws(if any),
If a sparkarresterisused,it shouldbemaintainedineffectiveworkingorderbytheoperator,IntheStateof Californiatheaboveis requiredbylaw
(Section4442oftheCaliforniaPublicResourcesCode),Otherstatesmayhavesimilarlaws,Federallawsapplyonfederallands,A sparkattester
forthemufflerisavailablethroughyournearestengineauthorizedservicedealerorcontactthe servicedepartment,P.O,Box361131Cleveland,
Ohio44136-0019,
MTD LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019
PRINTEDIN U,S,A
FORMNO,769-01274E
05/25/2006
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 ...................................................... 3
Safe Operation Practices ................................... 4
Setting Up Your Snow Thrower .......................... 6
Operating Your Snow Thrower ........................... 8
MakingAdjustments ......................................... 12
Finding and Recording Model Number
BEFOREYOU STARTASSEMBLING
YOURNEW EQUIPMENT,
please locatethe modelplate onthe equipmentand copythe
informationtothe samplemodel plate providedto the right.
Youcan locatethe model plateby standingat theoperating
position and lookingdown atthe rear ofthe deck. This
informationwill be necessaryto use the manufacturer'sweb
site and/or obtain assistancefromthe CustomerSupport
Departmentor an authorizedservice dealer.
Maintaining Your Snow Thrower ...................... 14
Off-Season Storage .......................................... 18
Trouble- Shooting ............................................. 19
Parts List ........................................................... 20
Warranty ............................................. Back Cover
IVITD LLC
P. O. BOX 361131
CLEVELAND,OH 44136
330-220-4683
,,www.mtdproducts.com
800-800-731 0
Customer Support
Please do NOTreturn the unit to the retailer from which it was purchased,
without first contacting Customer Support.
Ifyou have difficulty assemblingthis productor have anyquestions regardingthe controls, operationor maintenanceofthis unit,
you can seek help from the experts.Choosefrom the options below:
1. Visitmtdproducts.com formanyusefulsuggestions.Clickon
CustomerSupportbuttonandyouwillgettheoptionsreproducedin
thescreenshotbelow.Clickonthe appropriatebuttonandhelpis
immediatelyavailable.
2. Phonea CustomerSupport Representative at 1(800)800-7310.
,
Theenginemanufactureris responsiblefor allengine-relatedissues
with regardto performance,power-rating,specifications,warrantyand
service.Pleaserefertotheenginemanufacturer'sOwner's/Operator's
Manual,packedseparatelywithyourunit,formoreinformation.
2
1.KEEPAWAYFROMROTATINGIMPELLER
ANDAUGER.CONTACTWITHIMPELLEROR
AUGERCANAMPUTATEHANDSANDFEET.
USECLEAN-OUTTOOLTOUNCLOG
.
DISCHARGECHUTE.
DISENGAGECLUTCHLEVERS,STOPENGINE,
3.
ANDREMAINBEHINDHANDLESUNTILALL
MOVINGPARTSHAVESTOPPEDBEFORE
UNCLOGGINGORSERVICINGMACHINE.
TOAVOIDTHROWNOBJECTSINJURIES,
.
NEVERDIRECTDISCHARGEATBYSTANDERS.
USEEXTRACAUTIONWHENOPERATINGON
GRAVELSURFACES.
5. READOPERATOR'SMANUAL.
_CLEAN-OUT TOOL I1_,
WARNING
Thissymbolpoints
out importantsafety
instructionswhich,if
notfollowed,could
endangerthepersonal
safetyand/or property
of yourselfandothers.
Readand followall
instructionsinthis
manualbeforeat-
temptingto operate
this machine.Failure
to complywith these
instructionsmayresult
in personalinjury.When
yousee thissymbol.
HEED ITS WARNING!
ChuteClean-outTool
Achuteclean-outtool isfastenedtothetopofthe
augerhousingwitha mountingclip. Thetoolis designed
tocleara chuteassemblyoficeandsnow,
Thisitemis fastenedwitha cabletieat the factory.Cut
thecabletie beforeoperatingthesnowthrower,
WARNING: Never use your
hands to clear a clogged chute
assembly. Shut off engine and
remain behind handles until
all moving parts have stopped
before using the clean-out tool
J
to clear the chute assembly.
3
Your Responsibility
Restrictthe use
of this power machine
to personswho read,
understand
and follow thewarnings
and instructions
inthis manual
and onthe machine.
WARNING: Engine Exhaust,some of itsconstituents, andcertain vehiclecompo-
nentscontain or emit chemicals knownto Stateof Californiato cause cancerand
birth defectsor other reproductiveharm.
DANGER: This machinewas builtto be operatedaccordingto the rulesfor safe operation in this
manual.As with anytype of powerequipment, carelessnessor erroronthe part ofthe operatorcan
result in seriousinjury.This machine iscapable of amputatinghands andfeet andthrowing objects.
Failureto observethe followingsafety instructionscould resultin serious injury or death.
WARNING
Thissymbolpoints
outimportantsafety
instructionswhich,if
notfollowed,could
endangerthe personal
i safetyand/or property
i ofyourselfand others.
Readandfollowall
instructionsinthis
manualbeforeat-
temptingto operate
this machine.Failure
to complywiththese
i instructionsmayresult
i in personalinjury.When
yousee this symbol.
i HEED ITS WARNING!
Your Responsibility
Restrictthe use
ofthis powermachine
to personswho read,
understand
andfollowthe warnings
and instructions
i inthis manual
and onthe machine.
Training
1. Read,understand,andfollowall instructionsonthe 1.
machineandin themanual(s)beforeattemptingto
assembleandoperate.Keepthis manualina safe placefor
futureandregularreferenceandfor orderingreplacement
parts. 2.
2. Befamiliarwithall controlsandtheir properoperation.
Knowhowto stopthe machineanddisengagethemquickly.
3. Neverallowchildrenunder14 yearsoldto operatethis
machine.Children14yearsoldandovershouldreadand
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,andchildrenat least75
feetfromthe machinewhileit is in operation.Stop machine
ifanyoneentersthearea. 6.
7. Exercisecautiontoavoidslippingor falling,especially 7.
whenoperatingin reverse.
Preparation
Thoroughlyinspecttheareawherethe equipmentisto be
used.Removealldoormats,newspapers,sleds,boards,
wires,and otherforeignobjects,whichcould betripped over
orthrownbythe auger/impeller.
Alwayswearsafetyglassesor eyeshieldsduringoperation
andwhile performinganadjustmentorrepairto protectyour
eyes.Thrownobjectswhich ricochetcancauseserious
injurytothe eyes.
Do notoperatewithoutwearingadequatewinterouter
garments.Donotwearjewelry,longscarves,orother
looseclothingwhichcouldbecomeentangledin moving
parts.Wearfootwearwhich willimprovefootingonslippery
surfaces.
Useagroundedthree-wireextensioncordand receptacle
forall unitswithelectric startengines.
5.
Adjustcollectorhousingheighttocleargravelorcrushed
rocksurfaces.
Disengageallcontrolleversbeforestartingthe engine.
Neverattemptto makeanyadjustmentswhileengineis
running,exceptwherespecificallyrecommendedinthe
operator'smanual.
8,
Letengineandmachineadjustto outdoortemperature
beforestartingto clearsnow.
9.
Toavoidpersonalinjuryor propertydamageuseextreme
careinhandlinggasoline.Gasolineis extremelyflammable
andthe vaporsareexplosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycan
occurwhengasolineis spilledonyourselforyour clothes,
whichcanignite.Washyourskinand changeclothes
immediately.
a. Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.
b. Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars, pipesandothersources
ofignition.
c. Neverfuel machineindoors.
d. Neverremovegascap oradd fuelwhilethe engineis hot
or running.
e. Allowengineto coolat leasttwo minutesbeforerefuel-
ing.
f. Neveroverfill fueltank. Filltankto nomorethan Y2-inch
belowbottomoffiller neckto providespacefor fuel
expansion.
g. Replacegasolinecap andtightensecurely.
h. Ifgasolineis 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. Allowmachinetocoolat leastfiveminutesbefore
storing.
4
Operation
1. Donot puthandsorfeet nearrotatingparts,inthe
auger/impellerhousingor chuteassembly.Contactwiththe
rotatingpartscanamputatehandsandfeet.
2. The auger/impellercontrolleveris asafetydevice.Never
bypassitsoperation.Doingsomakesthe machineunsafe
andmaycausepersonalinjury.
3. The controlleversmustoperateeasilyin bothdirections
andautomaticallyreturntothe disengagedpositionwhen
released.
4. Neveroperatewitha missingor damagedchuteassembly.
Keepall safetydevicesin placeandworking.
5. Neverrunan engineindoorsor in apoorlyventilatedarea.
Engineexhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,anodorlessand
deadlygas.
6. Donotoperatemachinewhile underthe influenceofalcohol
or drugs.
7. Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcan causea burn.Do
nottouch.
8. Exerciseextremecautionwhenoperatingonor crossing
gravelsurfaces.Stayalert for hiddenhazardsortraffic.
9. Exercisecautionwhenchangingdirectionandwhileoperat-
ingon slopes.
10.Planyoursnow-throwingpatternto avoiddischargetowards
windows,walls,carsetc. Thus,avoidingpossibleproperty
damageor personalinjury causedbya ricochet.
11.Neverdirectdischargeatchildren,bystanders,and petsor
allow anyonein frontofthe machine.
12.Donotoverloadmachinecapacitybyattemptingto clear
snowat toofast ofa rate.
13.Neveroperatethis machinewithoutgoodvisibility or light.
Alwaysbe sure of yourfootingand keepa firmholdonthe
handles.Walk,neverrun.
14.Disengagepowerto the auger/impellerwhentransportingor
notin use.
15.Neveroperatemachineat hightransportspeedson slippery
surfaces.Lookdownandbehindand usecarewhen
backingup.
16.Ifthe machineshouldstartto vibrateabnormally,stopthe
engine,disconnectthe sparkplugwireand groundit against
the engine.Inspectthoroughlyfordamage.Repairany
damagebeforestartingandoperating.
17.Disengageallcontrolleversandstopenginebeforeyou
leavethe operatingposition(behindthehandles).Wait
untilthe auger/impellercomestoa completestopbefore
uncloggingthe chuteassembly,makingany adjustments,or
inspections.
18.Neverputyourhandin thedischargeor collectoropenings.
Alwaysuse the clean-outtoolprovidedtounclogthe dis-
chargeopening.Donot unclogchuteassemblywhileengine
isrunning.Shut offengineand remainbehindhandlesuntil
all movingpartshavestoppedbefore unclogging.
19.Useonlyattachmentsandaccessoriesapprovedbythe
manufacturer(e.g.wheelweights,tire chains,cabsetc.).
20. If situationsoccurwhich arenotcoveredinthis manual,use
careand goodjudgment.Contactyourdealeror callthe
customerservice numberfoundonpagetwo.
Maintenance & Storage
1. Nevertamperwithsafetydevices.Checktheirproper
operationregularly.Refertothe maintenanceandadjust-
mentsectionsofthis manual.
2. Beforecleaning,repairing,orinspectingmachinedisen-
gageall controlleversandstopthe engine.Waituntilthe
auger/impellercometoa completestop.Disconnectthe
sparkplugwire and groundagainstthe engineto prevent
unintendedstarting.
3. Checkbolts and screwsfor propertightnessat frequent
intervalstokeepthe machinein safeworkingcondition.
Also,visuallyinspectmachinefor anydamage.
4. Do notchangethe enginegovernorsettingor over-speed
theengine.Thegovernorcontrolsthemaximumsafe
operatingspeedoftheengine.
5. Snowthrowershaveplatesand skidshoesare subjectto
wearanddamage.Foryoursafetyprotection,frequently
checkallcomponentsandreplacewith originalequipment
manufacturer's(OEM) partsonly."Useof partswhichdo
notmeetthe originalequipmentspecificationsmayleadto
improperperformanceandcompromisesafety!"
6. Checkcontrolsperiodicallyto verify theyengageand
disengageproperlyandadjust,if necessary.Referto the
adjustmentsection inthis operator'smanualfor instructions.
7. Maintainor replacesafetyandinstructionlabels,as neces-
sary.
8. Observeproperdisposallawsandregulationsfor gas,oil,
etc.to protectthe environment.
9. Priorto storing,run machinea few minutesto clearsnow
frommachineand preventfreezeupof auger/impeller.
10.Neverstorethe machineorfuel containerinsidewhere
thereisan openflame, sparkor pilot lightsuchas a water
heater,furnace,clothesdryeretc.
11.Alwaysreferto theoperator'smanualfor properinstructions
onoff-seasonstorage.
Do not modify engine
Toavoidseriousinjuryordeath,do not modifyengineinany
way.Tamperingwiththegovernorsettingcan leadto a runaway
engineandcauseit tooperateatunsafespeeds.Nevertamper
withfactorysettingof enginegovernor.
Notice regarding Emissions
Engineswhicharecertifiedto complywithCaliforniaandfederal
EPAemissionregulationsfor SORE(SmallOff RoadEquipment)
arecertifiedtooperateonregularunleadedgasoline,andmay
includethefollowingemissioncontrolsystems:EngineModifica-
tion(EM)andThreeWayCatalyst(TWC)ifsoequipped.
Your Responsibility
Restrictthe useof this powermachineto personswhoread,un-
derstandand followthe warningsand instructionsin thismanual
andon the machine.
Practices
WARNING
Thissymbolpoints
out importantsafety
instructions,which if
notfollowed,could
endangerthe personal
safetyand/or property
of yourself and others.
Readand followall
instructions inthis man-
ual beforeattemptingto
operatethis machine.
Failureto complywith
these instructionsmay
result in personalinjury.
Whenyou seethis
symbol.
HEED IT'S WARNING!
Your Responsibility
Restrictthe use
of this powermachine
to personswho read,
understand
andfollow the warnings
and instructions
in this manual
andon the machine.
5
NOTE:Referencesto right
or leftsideofthesnow
throwerare determined
frombehindthe unitinthe
operatingposition(standing
directlybehindthesnow
thrower,facingthe handle
_panel).
!
NOTE:Snowthrowersvary
bymodelwithregardto
featuresandcomponents.
Yoursnowthrowermay
NOTresemble,in detail.
snowthrowersillustrated
infigures throughoutthis
manual.
NOTE:Tworeplacement
augershearpinsare
includedwiththis manual
(orstowedinthe plastic
handlepanel).Referto
i Augerson page16for more
informationregardingshear
pinreplacement.
1, Observethelowerrearareaofthesnowthrowerto
besurebothcablesarealignedwith rollerguides
beforepivotingthehandleupward,
2, Securethehandleby tighteningtheplasticwing
knoblocatedon boththe leftand rightsidesofthe
handle,Removeanddiscardany rubberbands,if
present,Theyareforpackagingpurposesonly,
3, Positionthe chuteassemblyoverthebase,
4, Closetheflangekeepersto securethechute
assemblytothechutebase,Theflangekeeperswill
clickintoplacewhenproperlysecure,
NOTE:Iftheflangekeeperswillnot easilyclick into
place,usethe palmofyourhandto applyswift,firm
pressuretothebackof each,
6
.
Removethe flatwasherandhairpinclip fromtheend
ofthechutedirectionalcontrol.
Inserttheendof thechutedirectionalcontrolintothe
lowerbracketand securewiththeflatwasherand hair-
pin clipjust removed.If necessary,thelowerbracket
canbeadjusted.Referto ChuteBracketAdjustment.
on Page13.
IMPORTANT:Priortooperatingyoursnowthrower,refer
toAugerControlTestonpage11.Readandfollowall
instructionscarefullyandperformalladjustmentsto verify
yoursnowthrowerisoperatingsafelyand properly.
Tire Pressure
Beforeoperating,checktirepressureandreducepres-
surein bothtiresto between15psi and20 psi.
NOTE:Ifthetire pressureisnot equalin bothtires,the
unitmaynottravelina straightpathandtheshaveplate
maywearunevenly.
IMPORTANT
Priorto operatingyour
snowthrower, refer
to Auger ControlTest
on page 11.Readand
fo low all instructions
carefullyand perform
all adjustmentsto verify
your snowthrower is
operating safelyand
properly.
7
Know Your Snow Thrower
WARNING
Read, understand,
andfollow all instruc-
tions andwarnings
onthe machineand
in thismanual before
operating.
f
ChuteAssembly
CleanOut
Tool
Augers
DriveControl
ElectricStartButton
GasCap
\
OilFill
SkidShoe
z AugerControl
__t_ jChute DirectionalControl
EngineControls
RecoilStarter
Handle
ElectricStarterOutlet
Primer
Ignition
Key
\
Choke
Control
Control
Jj
Figure 1
Useextreme care
when handling
gasoline.Gasoline is
extremelyflammable
and thevapors are
explosive.Neverfuel
the machine indoors
or while the engine
is hot or running.
Extinguishcigarettes,
cigars,pipes and
other sources of
ignition.
NOTE:Snowthrowersvary
bymodelwithregardto
featuresand components.
Yoursnowthrowermay
NOTresemble,indetail,
snowthrowersillustrated
infigures througboutthis
manual,
Now that you have set up your snow thrower for
operation, get acquainted with its controls and fea-
tures. These are described below and illustrated in
Figure 1.This knowledge will allow you to use your
new equipment to its fullest potential.
NOTE: Fordetailedstartinginstructionsandmore
informationonall enginecontrols,refertothe Tecumseh
EnginesmanualpackedseparatelyandStarting The
Engine onpage10ofthismanual,
Shift Lever
!;_ r;fl _'_ [<] E]
Theshiftleverislocatedbetweenthe lowerhandles,
Placethe shiftleverintoanyofeightpositionsto control
thedirectionof travelandgroundspeed,
Forward
Therearefiveforward(F)speeds,Positionone(1)is the
slowestandpositionfive(5) isthefastest,
Reverse
Therearetworeverse(R)speeds,One(1)is theslower
andtwo(2) isthefaster.
Choke Control
Thechokecontrolisfoundontherearof theengineand
isactivatedbyrotatingtheknobclockwise,Activatingthe
chokecontrolclosesthe chokeplateon thecarburetor
andaidsinstartingthe engine,
Throttle Control
Thethrottlecontrolis locatedonthe
engine,Itregulatesthespeedofthe
engineandwillshutofftheenginewhen
pusheddowncompletely,
Primer
Depressingthe primerforcesfuel directly
intothe engine'scarburetorto aidin
cold-weatherstarting,
Oil Fill
Engineoil levelcanbecheckedandoil
addedthroughtheoil fill,
©
8
Auger Control
AUGER
CONTROL
Ignition Key
Theignitionkeyis asafetydevise.It mustbefully
insertedin orderforthe engineto start.Removethe
ignitionkeywhenthesnowthrowerisnot inuse.
Donot turntheignitionkeyinan attempttostartthe
engine.Doingsomaycauseittobreak.
Theaugercontrolislocatedonthe left handle.Squeeze
thecontrolgripagainstthehandleto engagethe augers
andstartsnowthrowingaction.Releasetostop.
Drive Control
f DRIVE _
CONTROL
Thedrivecontrolis locatedontherighthandle.Squeeze
thecontrolgripagainstthehandleto engagethe wheel
drive.Releaseto stop.
Chute Directional Control
f
CHUTE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL
DISCHARGE _'_DISCHARGE
Thechutedirectionalcontrolislocatedon leftsideofthe
snowthrower.
Tochangethedirectionin whichsnowisthrown,turn
chutedirectionalcontrolas follows:
• Crankclockwisetodischargeto theleft.
• Crankcounterclockwisetodischargetotheright.
ADJUSTABLE
CHUTETILT
J
Clean-Out Tool
__lb ARNING"Never use your hands
to clear a clogged chute assem-
bly.Shut off engine and remain
behind handles until all moving
parts havestopped before
unclogging.
Thechuteclean-outtoolisfastenedto thetopof the
augerhousingwitha mountingclip.Thetoolisdesigned
toclearacloggedchuteassembly.
NOTE: Thisitemisfastenedwitha cabletietotherear
oftheaugerhousingatthefactory.Cutthe cabletie
beforeoperatingthe snowthrower.
Skid Shoes
Positiontheskidshoesbasedonsurfaceconditions.
Adjustupwardforhard-packedsnow.Adjustdownward
whenoperatingongravelorcrushedrocksurfaces.
Recoil Starter Handle
Thishandleis usedtomanuallystart the engine.
Electric Starter Button
Pressingtheelectricstarterbuttonengagestheengine's
electricstarterwhenpluggedintoa 120Vpowersource.
Electric Starter Outlet
Requirestheuse ofa three-prongoutdoorextensioncord
anda 120Vpowersource/walloutlet.
Augers
Whenengaged,theaugersrotateanddraw snowinto the
augerhousing.
Chute Assembly
Snowdrawnintothe augerhousingisdischargedoutthe
chuteassembly.
Gas Cap
Unthreadthegascapto addgasolinetothefueltank.
i
WARNING
The operation of
any snowthrower
can result inforeign
objects beingthrown
intothe eyes, which
can damage your
eyesseverely.Always
wear safety glasses
while operating the
snowthrower, or while
performing anyadjust-
ments or repairson it.
Besure no one other
thanthe operator is
standing nearthe sno_
throwerwhile starting
engineor operating
snowthrower. Never
run engine indoors or
in enclosed,poorly
ventilated areas. En-
gine exhaustcontains
carbon monoxide,an
odorless and deadly
gas. Keep hands,feet,
hairand loose clothinc
awayfrom any moving
parts on engine and
snowthrower.
9
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