MTD 31AS6ACD731, 31A-6BCD700 Owner’s Manual

Safety•Assembly • Operation • Maintenance •Troubleshooting • Parts Lists •Warranty

OP A O AL

Two-Stage Snow Thrower- C, D Style

iMPORTANT

READ SAFETY RULES AND iNSTRUCTiONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION

Warning: Thisunitisequippedwithaninternalcombustionengineandshouldnot beusedon or nearanyuniiprovedforest-covered,brush- coveredor grass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemisequippedwitha sparkarrestermeetingapplicablelocalor statelaws(if any). If a sparkarresterisused,itshouldbemaintainedineffectiveworkingorderbythe operator.IntheStateof Californiatheaboveisrequiredbylaw (Section4442oftheCaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Otherstatesmayhavesimilarlaws.Federallawsapplyonfederallands.A sparkarrester forthe mufflerisavailablethroughyournearestengineauthorizedservicedealeror contacttheservicedepartment,RO.Box361131Cleveland,

Ohio44136-0019.

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

PRINTEDIN U.S.A

FORMNO.769-01274D

08/05/2005

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 ...................................................... 3

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

Setting Up Your Snow Thrower .......................... 6

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

MakingAdjustments ......................................... 10

Finding and Recording Model Number

BEFOREYOU STARTASSEMBLING YOURNEW EQUIPMENT,

please locatethe modelplate on the equipmentand copy the informationtothe sample modelplate providedtothe right.

Youcan locatethe model plate by standing at theoperating position and lookingdown at the rearofthe deck. This informationwillbe necessaryto usethemanufacturer'sweb

site and/or obtain assistancefrom theCustomerSupport Departmentoran authorizedservice dealer.

Maintaining Your Snow Thrower ...................... 12

Off-SeasonStorage ........................................... 16

Trouble- Shooting ............................................. 17

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

IViTD LLC

P. O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND,OH 44136

330-220-4683

www.mtdDroducts.com_ 8oo=8oo=731 o

Customer Support

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

without first contacting Customer Support.

Ifyou havedifficultyassemblingthis productor have any questions regardingthe controls, operationor maintenanceofthis unit,

you can seek help from the experts.Choosefrom the options below:

1. Visitmtdproducts.com formanyusefulsuggestions.Clickon CustomerSupportbuttonandyouwillgetthe optionsreproducedin thescreenshotbelow.Clickonthe appropriatebuttonandhelpis immediatelyavailable.

2. Phonea Customer Support Representativeat 1(800)800-7310.

Theenginemanufacturer isresponsiblefor allengine-relatedissues with regardto performance,power-rating,specifications,warrantyand service.Pleaserefertotheenginemanufacturer'sOwner's/Operator's

Manual,packedseparatelywithyourunit,formoreinformation.

1.KEEPAWAYFROMROTATINGIMPELLER ANDAUGER.CONTACTWITHIMPELLEROR

AUGERCANAMPUTATEHANDSANDFEET.

USECLEAN-OUTTOOLTOUNCLOG

DISCHARGECHUTE. DISENGAGECLUTCHLEVERS,STOPENGINE,

3. ANDREMAINBEHINDHANDLESUNTILALL

MOVINGPARTSHAVESTOPPEDBEFORE UNCLOGGINGORSERVICINGMACHINE.

TOAVOIDTHROWNOBJECTSINJURIES,

NEVERDIRECTDISCHARGEATBYSTANDERS. USEEXTRACAUTIONWHENOPERATINGON

GRAVELSURFACES.

5. READOPERATOR'SMANUAL.

iil _I ii_ _ i _iii_!i _ _ii_ii

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!

Achuteclean-outtool isfastenedtothetop ofthe augerhousingwitha mountingclip.Thetoolisdesigned tocleara chuteassemblyof iceandsnow. Thisitemisfastenedwitha cabletieatthe factory.Cut thecabletiebeforeoperatingthesnowthrower.

_ ARNING: 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

to clear the chute assembly.

Your Responsibility

Restrictthe use ofthis power machine

to persons who read,

understand and follow the warnings

and instructions

in this manual and onthe machine.

WARNING: EngineExhaust,some of its constituents, andcertain vehicle compo- nentscontain oremit chemicals knownto Stateof Californiato cause cancer and

birth defectsor other reproductiveharm.

DANGER: Thismachinewas builtto beoperatedaccordingto the rulesfor safe operationin this manual.As with anytypeof powerequipment,carelessnessor erroronthe part ofthe operatorcan result in serious injury.This machine iscapableof amputatinghands andfeet andthrowing objects.

Failureto observethe followingsafety instructionscould result in serious 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 inpersonalinjury.When

youseethis symbol.

i HEED ITS WARNING!

Your Responsibility

Restrictthe use ofthis powermachine

to personswho read,

_understand

ano followthe warnings and instructions

inthis manual

and on the machine.

Training

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

assembleandoperate.Keepthis manualinasafeplacefor futureandregularreferenceandfor orderingreplacement

parts. 2.

2. Befamiliarwithall controlsandtheirproperoperation. Knowhowto stopthe machineanddisengagethemquickly.

3. Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsoldto operatethis machine.Children14yearsold andovershouldreadand understandtheoperationinstructionsand safetyrulesin 3. thismanualand shouldbetrainedandsupervisedbya 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. whenoperatinginreverse.

Preparation

Thoroughlyinspecttheareawherethe equipmentisto be used.Removealldoormats,newspapers,sleds,boards,

wiresand otherforeignobjects,whichcouldbetrippedover orthrownbythe auger/impeller. Alwayswearsafetyglassesor eyeshieldsduringoperation andwhile performinganadjustmentorrepairto protectyour eyes.Thrownobjectswhichricochetcancauseserious injurytothe eyes.

Do notoperatewithoutwearingadequatewinterouter garments.Donotwearjewelry,longscarvesorother looseclothing,whichcould becomeentangledinmoving parts.Wearfootwearwhich willimprovefootingon slippery

surfaces. Useagroundedthree-wireextensioncordand receptacle

forall unitswithelectric startengines. Adjustcollectorhousingheightto cleargravel orcrushed

rocksurfaces. Disengageallcontrolleversbeforestartingthe engine.

Neverattemptto makeanyadjustmentswhileengineis running,exceptwherespecificallyrecommendedinthe operator'smanual.

Letengineandmachineadjustto outdoortemperature beforestartingtoclearsnow.

Toavoidpersonalinjuryor propertydamageuseextreme careinhandlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammable andthe vaporsareexplosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycan occurwhengasolineis spilledon yourselforyourclothes, whichcanignite.Washyourskinand changeclothes immediately.

a. Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer. b. Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersources

ofignition.

c. Neverfuelmachineindoors. d. Neverremovegascap oradd fuelwhilethe engineis hot

or running.

e. Allowengineto coolat leasttwo minutesbeforerefuel-

ing.

f. Neveroverfill fueltank. Filltankto nomorethanY2inch

belowbottomoffiller neckto providespacefor fuel expansion.

g. Replacegasolinecap andtightensecurely. h. Ifgasolineis spilled,wipeitoff theengineand equip-

ment.Movemachinetoanotherarea.Wait5minutes beforestartingtheengine.

i. Neverstorethe machineorfuel containerinsidewhere

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

waterheater,spaceheater,clothesdryeretc.).

j. Allowmachinetocool at least5 minutesbeforestoring.

Operation

1. Donot puthandsorfeet nearrotatingparts,inthe auger/impellerhousingor chuteassembly.Contactwiththe

rotatingpartscanamputatehandsandfeet.

2. The auger/impellercontrolleveris a safetydevice.Never bypassitsoperation.Doingso makesthe 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. Donotoperatemachinewhileunderthe influenceof alcohol

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 personalinjurycausedbyaricochet.

11.Neverdirectdischargeat children,bystandersandpetsor allow anyoneinfrontofthe machine.

12.Donotoverloadmachinecapacitybyattemptingto clear snowat toofast ofarate.

13.Neveroperatethis machinewithoutgoodvisibilityor light. Alwaysbe sureof yourfootingand keepa firmholdonthe

handles.Walk,neverrun.

14.Disengagepowerto the auger/impellerwhentransportingor

notin use.

15.Neveroperatemachineat hightransportspeedsonslippery surfaces.Lookdownand behindand usecarewhen

backingup.

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

17.Disengageallcontrolleversandstopenginebeforeyou

leavethe operatingposition(behindthehandles).Wait untilthe auger/impellercomestoa completestop before uncloggingthe chuteassembly,makinganyadjustments,or inspections.

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

isrunning.Shut offengineand remainbehindhandlesuntil

all movingpartshavestoppedbeforeunclogging.

19.Useonlyattachmentsandaccessoriesapprovedbythe

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

20. Ifsituationsoccurwhich arenotcoveredinthis manual, usecareandgoodjudgment.Contactyourdealeror call (800)800-7310forassistanceandthe nameof yournearest

servicingdealer..

Maintenance & Storage

1. Nevertamperwithsafetydevices.Checktheirproper operationregularly.Refertothe maintenanceandadjust-

mentsectionsofthis manual.

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

3. Checkbolts andscrewsforpropertightnessat frequent intervalstokeepthe machinein safeworkingcondition. Also,visuallyinspectmachineforanydamage.

4. Do notchangethe enginegovernorsettingor over-speed theengine.Thegovernorcontrolsthemaximumsafe operatingspeedoftheengine.

5. Snowthrowershaveplatesand skidshoesare subjectto wearanddamage.Foryoursafetyprotection,frequently

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

notmeetthe originalequipmentspecificationsmayleadto improperperformanceandcompromisesafety!"

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

7. Maintainor replacesafetyandinstructionlabels,as neces- sary.

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

9. Priorto storing,runmachinea fewminutestoclearsnow frommachineandpreventfreezeupof auger/impeller.

10.Neverstorethe machineorfuel containerinsidewhere thereisan openflame,sparkor pilotlightsuchasa water

heater,furnace,clothesdryeretc.

11.Alwaysreferto theoperator'smanualfor properinstructions onoff-seasonstorage.

Do not modify engine Toavoidseriousinjuryordeath,donot modifyengineinany

way.Tamperingwiththegovernorsettingcan leadto a runaway engineandcauseit to operateatunsafespeeds.Nevertamper withfactorysettingofenginegovernor.

Notice regarding Emissions Engineswhicharecertifiedto complywithCaliforniaandfederal

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

Your Responsibility

Restrictthe useofthis powermachineto personswhoread,un- derstandandfollowthe warningsandinstructionsinthis manual andon the machine.

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 beforeattemptingto

operatethis machine.

Failureto comply with

these instructionsmay result in personalinjury.

Whenyou see this 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.

NOTE:Referencesto right or leftsideofthe snow

throwerare determined frombehindthe unitin the

operatingposition(standing directlvbehindthesnow

thrower,facingthe handle panel).

NOTE:Snowthrowersvary bymodelwith regardto

featuresandcomponents. Yoursnowthrowermay

NOTresemble,in detail.

i snowthrowersillustrated

infigures throughoutthis

i manual.

NOTE:Tworeplacement augershearpinsare

includedwiththis manual (orstowedintheplastic

handlepanel}.Referto

i Augersonpage16formore i informationregardingshear i pin replacement.

1. Observethelowerrearareaofthesnowthrowerto besurebothcablesarealignedwith rollerguides

beforepivotingthehandleupward.

2. Securethehandlebytighteningtheplasticwing knoblocatedon boththeleftand rightsidesofthe handle.Removeanddiscardanyrubberbands,if present.Theyarefor packagingpurposesonly.

3. Positionthechuteassemblyoverthebase.

4. Closethe flangekeepersto securethechute assemblytothe chutebase.Theflangekeeperswill clickintoplacewhenproperlysecure.

NOTE:Ifthe flangekeeperswillnot easilyclickinto place,usethe palmofyourhandtoapplyswift,firm pressuretothe backof each.

Removethe fiatwasherandhairpinclip fromtheend

ofthe chutedirectionalcontrol.

inserttheendofthe chutedirectionalcontrolintothe

lowerbracketand securewiththefiatwasherand hair- pin clipjustremoved.If necessary,the lowerbracket

canbeadjusted.Referto ChuteBracketAdjustment. on Page13.

Inserttheshiftleverthroughthespeedselectpanel and secureto theshift springleverwiththe twohex headboltsandflangelocknutsthatcomeattachedto

theshift lever.

IMPORTANT:Priortooperatingyoursnowthrower,refer toAugerControlTeston page11.Readandfollowall instructionscarefullyandperformalladjustmentstoverify yoursnowthroweris operatingsafelyand properly.

Setting Up

Tire Pressure

Beforeoperating,checktirepressureandreducepres- surein bothtiresto between15psiand20 psi.

NOTE:Ifthetire pressureisnotequalin bothtires,the unitmaynottravelina straightpathandtheshaveplate maywearunevenly.

IMPORTANT

Priorto operatingyour

snowthrower,refer to Auger Control Test

on page 11.Readand followall instructions

carefullyand perform all adjustmentsto verify

your snowthrower is operating safely and

properly.

Operating

Your S"ow

Thrower

WARNi

Read,understand,

andfo,o a, nstruc

tions andwarnings

on the machineand

inthismanualbefore

operating,

Know Your Snow Thrower

ElectricStartButton

SkidShoe

EngineControls

RecoilStarter

Handle

ElectricStarterOutlet

Primer

Choke

Control

Figure 1

Useextremecare

whenhandling

gasoline,Gasolineis

extremelyflammable

andthevapors explosive:Neverfuel

the machine indoors or while the engine

is hotor running, Extinguishcigarettesl

cigars, pipes and

othersourcesof

NOTE:Snowthrowersvary

byrn0de!withregardto

featuresandcomponents:

Your snowthrowermay NOT resemb!elindetail,

snowthrowersillustrated infiguresthroughoutthis

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,referto the Tecumseh EnginesmanualpackedseparatelyandStarting The Engine onpage10of thismanual.

Shift Lever

Theshiftleverislocatedbetweenthelowerhandles. Placethe shiftleverintoanyofeightpositionsto control

thedirectionof travelandgroundspeed.

Forward

Therearesixforward(F)speeds.Positionone(1)is the slowestandpositionfive(5) is thefastest.

Reverse Therearetworeverse(R)speeds.One(1)istheslower

andtwo(2) is thefaster.

Choke Control

I,,'1

Thechokecontrolisfoundontherearofthe engineand isactivatedby rotatingtheknobclockwise.Activatingthe chokecontrolclosesthe chokeplateon thecarburetor andaidsinstartingthe engine.

Throttle Control

Thethrottlecontrolis locatedon the engine.Itregulatesthespeedofthe

engineandwillshutofftheenginewhen pusheddowncompletely.

Primer

Depressingthe primerforcesfueldirectly intothe engine'scarburetortoaidin cold-weatherstarting.

Oil Fill

Engineoil levelcanbecheckedandoil addedthroughtheoil fie

Auger Control

Ignition Key

Theignitionkeyis a safetydevise.It mustbefully

insertedin orderfortheengineto start. Removethe ignitionkeywhenthesnowthrowerisnotinuse. Donot turntheignitionkeyinan attemptto startthe

engine.Doingsomaycauseitto break.

Clean-Out Tool

Theaugercontrolislocatedontheleft handle.Squeeze thecontrolgripagainstthehandletoengagetheaugers andstartsnowthrowingaction.Releasetostop.

Drive Control

DRIVE

CONTROL

Thedrivecontrolislocatedontherighthandle.Squeeze thecontrolgripagainstthehandletoengagethewheel drive.Releasetostop.

Chute Directional Control

CHUTE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL

DISCHARGE _'_DISCHARGE

Thechutedirectionalcontrolislocatedon leftside ofthe snowthrower.

Tochangethedirectionin whichsnowisthrown,turn chutedirectionalcontrolasfollows:

* Crankclockwisetodischargeto theleft. * Crankcounterclockwiseto dischargetotheright.

ADJUSTABLE

CHUTETiLT

,_k WARNING•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-outtool isfastenedto thetopof the augerhousingwitha mountingclip.Thetool isdesigned toclear acloggedchuteassembly.

NOTE: Thisitemisfastenedwitha cabletietothe rear

ofthe augerhousingatthe factory.Cutthecabletie

beforeoperatingthe snowthrower.

Skid Shoes

Positiontheskidshoesbasedonsurfaceconditions.

Adjustupwardforhard-packedsnow.Adjustdownward whenoperatingongravelorcrushedrocksurfaces.

Recoil Starter Handle

Thishandleisusedtomanuallystartthe engine.

Electric Starter Button

Pressingtheelectricstarterbuttonengagestheengine's

electricstarterwhenpluggedintoa 120Vpowersource.

Electric Starter Outlet

Requirestheuse ofathree-prongoutdoorextensioncord

anda 120Vpowersource/wailoutlet.

Augers

Whenengaged,theaugersrotateanddrawsnowintothe augerhousing.

Chute Assembly

Snowdrawnintothe augerhousingisdischargedoutthe

chuteassembly.

Gas Cap

Unthreadthegas capto addgasolinetothefueltank.

WARNIN,3

The operation of

any snow thrower

can resultin foreign

objectsbeing thrown

into the eyes; which

Candamage your

eyes severely, Always wear safety glasses

while operatingthe

snow thrower, or while

performinganyadjust:

ments orrepairs on it:

Besure noone ott

than the operator is

standing,,earthesno,,

thrower while starting engine or operating

snow thrower, Never

run engine indoors or

in enclosed, poorly

ventilated areas, En, gine exhaust contains

carbon monoxide; an

odo, essanddeaa y

gaS;Keep hands; feet,

hairand oosec oth ng

away from any moving parts on engine and

+ 19 hidden pages