MTD 31AS6FEG731, 31AE6FFF700 Owner’s Manual
Safety • Assembly • Operation • Tips & Techniques • Maintenance • Troubleshooting • Parts Lists • Warranty
O P RA-rO R'S MANUAL
Two-Stage Snow Thrower m E, F Style
IMPORTANT
READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION
Warning: Thisunitisequippedwithan internalcombustionengineandshouldnotbeusedon or nearanyuniiprovedforest-covered,brush-
coveredor grass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemis equippedwitha sparkattestermeetingapplicablelocalor statelaws(if any),
If a sparkarresterisused,it shouldbemaintainedineffectiveworkingorderbytheoperator,IntheStateofCaliforniatheaboveisrequiredbylaw
(Section4442oftheCaliforniaPublicResourcesCode),Otherstatesmayhavesimilarlaws,Federallawsapplyonfederallands,A sparkattester
forthemufflerisavailablethroughyournearestengineauthorizedservicedealerorcontacttheservicedepartment,P.O,Box361131Cleveland,
Ohio44136-0019,
MTD LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019
PRINTEDIN U,S,A
FORMNO.769-01275D
06/22/2006
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
BEFOREYOUSTARTASSEMBLING
YOURNEW EQUIPMENT,
please locatethe modelplate onthe equipmentand copythe
informationtothe samplemodel plate providedto the right.
Youcan locatethe model plate by standing at the operating
position and lookingdown atthe rear of the deck. This
informationwill be necessaryto usethe manufacturer'sweb
site and/or obtain assistancefromthe CustomerSupport
Departmentor an authorizedservice dealer.
Maintaining Your Snow Thrower ...................... 14
Off-SeasonStorage ........................................... 18
Trouble- Shooting ............................................. 19
Illustrated 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 product or have any questions regardingthe controls, operationor maintenanceofthis unit,
you canseek helpfromthe experts.Choosefromthe options below:
1. Visitmtdproducts.com formanyusefulsuggestions.Clickon
CustomerSupportbuttonandyouwillgetthe optionsreproducedin
thescreenshotbelow.Clickonthe appropriatebuttonandhelpis
immediatelyavailable.
2. Phonea Customer Support Representativeat 1(800)800-7310.
,
Theenginemanufactureris responsibleforallengine-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 complywiththese
instructionsmayresult
in personalinjury.When
youseethissymbol.
HEED ITS WARNING!
ChuteClean-outTool
Achuteclean-outtool isfastenedtothetopofthe
augerhousingwitha mountingclip.Thetoolisdesigned
toclearachuteassemblyof iceandsnow,
Thisitemisfastenedwitha cabletieatthe factory.Cut
thecabletiebeforeoperatingthesnowthrower,
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 on the machine.
WARNING: EngineExhaust,some of its constituents,andcertain vehicle compo-
nentscontain or emit chemicals knownto Stateof Californiato cause cancerand
birth defects or other reproductiveharm.
DANGER: This machinewas builtto beoperatedaccordingto the rulesfor safe operation in this
manual.As with anytypeof power equipment,carelessnessor error on the part of the operator can
result in seriousinjury.This machine iscapableof amputatinghands andfeet andthrowing objects.
Failureto observethe followingsafetyinstructionscould result in 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 instructionsmay result
i inpersonalinjury.When
youseethis 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,andfollowallinstructionsonthe 1.
machineandin themanual(s)beforeattemptingto
assembleandoperate.Keepthis manualinasafe placefor
futureandregularreferenceandfor orderingreplacement
parts. 2.
2. Befamiliarwithall controlsandtheirproperoperation.
Knowhowto stopthe machineanddisengagethemquickly.
3. Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsoldto operatethis
machine.Children14yearsoldandovershouldreadand
understandtheoperationinstructionsand safetyrulesin 3.
thismanualand shouldbetrainedandsupervisedbya
parent.
4. Neverallowadultsto operatethis machinewithoutproper
instruction.
5. Thrownobjectscancauseseriouspersonalinjury.Plan 4.
yoursnow-throwingpatternto avoiddischargeof material
towardroads,bystanders,andthe like.
6. Keepbystanders,helpers,pets,andchildrenatleast75
feetfromthe machinewhileit isin 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.
Alwayswearsafetyglassesoreyeshieldsduringoperation
andwhile performinganadjustmentorrepairto protectyour
eyes.Thrownobjectswhichricochetcancause serious
injurytothe eyes.
Do notoperatewithoutwearingadequatewinterouter
garments.Donotwearjewelry,longscarves,orother
looseclothingwhichcouldbecomeentangledinmoving
parts.Wearfootwearwhichwillimprovefootingonslippery
surfaces.
Useagroundedthree-wireextensioncordandreceptacle
forall units withelectric startengines.
5.
Adjustcollectorhousingheighttocleargravelorcrushed
rocksurfaces.
Disengageallcontrolleversbeforestartingthe engine.
Neverattemptto makeanyadjustmentswhileengineis
running,exceptwherespecificallyrecommendedinthe
operator'smanual.
8,
Letengineandmachineadjustto outdoortemperature
beforestartingtoclearsnow.
9.
Toavoidpersonalinjuryor propertydamageuseextreme
careinhandlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammable
andthe vaporsare explosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycan
occurwhengasolineis spilledonyourselforyour clothes,
whichcanignite.Washyour skinandchangeclothes
immediately.
a. Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.
b. Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars, pipesandothersources
ofignition.
c. Neverfuelmachineindoors.
d. Neverremovegascap oradd fuelwhiletheengineis hot
or running.
e. Allowengineto coolat leasttwo minutesbeforerefuel-
ing.
f. Neveroverfill fueltank.Filltankto nomorethanY2-inch
belowbottomoffiller neckto providespaceforfuel
expansion.
g. Replacegasolinecap andtightensecurely.
h. If gasolineis spilled,wipe itoff theengineandequip-
ment.Movemachinetoanotherarea.Waitfiveminutes
beforestartingtheengine.
i. Neverstorethe machineorfuel containerinsidewhere
there is an openflame,sparkorpilotlight (e.g.furnace,
waterheater,spaceheater,clothesdryeretc.).
j. Allowmachinetocoolat leastfive minutesbefore
storing.
4
Operation
1. Donot puthandsorfeet nearrotatingparts,inthe
auger/impellerhousingor chuteassembly.Contactwiththe
rotatingpartscanamputatehandsandfeet.
2. The auger/impellercontrolleveris asafetydevice.Never
bypassitsoperation.Doingsomakesthemachineunsafe
andmaycausepersonalinjury.
3. The controlleversmustoperateeasilyinbothdirections
andautomaticallyreturntothe disengagedpositionwhen
released.
4. Neveroperatewitha missingor damagedchuteassembly.
Keepall safetydevicesinplaceandworking.
5. Neverrunan engineindoorsor in apoorlyventilatedarea.
Engineexhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,anodorlessand
deadlygas.
6. Donotoperatemachinewhileundertheinfluenceofalcohol
or drugs.
7. Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcan causeaburn.Do
nottouch.
8. Exerciseextremecautionwhenoperatingonor crossing
gravelsurfaces.Stayalert for hiddenhazardsortraffic.
9. Exercisecautionwhenchangingdirectionandwhileoperat-
ingonslopes.
10.Planyoursnow-throwingpatternto avoiddischargetowards
windows,walls,carsetc.Thus,avoidingpossibleproperty
damageor personalinjury causedby aricochet.
11.Neverdirectdischargeatchildren,bystanders,and petsor
allow anyonein frontofthe machine.
12.Donotoverloadmachinecapacity byattemptingto clear
snowattoofast ofa rate.
13.Neveroperatethis machinewithoutgoodvisibilityor light.
Alwaysbe sure ofyourfootingand keepafirm holdonthe
handles.Walk,neverrun.
14.Disengagepowerto the auger/impellerwhentransportingor
notinuse.
15.Neveroperatemachineat hightransportspeedsonslippery
surfaces.Lookdownandbehindand usecarewhen
backingup.
16.Ifthe machineshouldstartto vibrateabnormally,stopthe
engine,disconnectthesparkplugwireand groundit against
the engine.Inspectthoroughlyfordamage.Repairany
damagebeforestartingandoperating.
17.Disengageallcontrolleversandstopenginebeforeyou
leavethe operatingposition (behindthe handles).Wait
untilthe auger/impellercomestoa completestopbefore
uncloggingthe chuteassembly,makinganyadjustments,or
inspections.
18.Neverputyourhand inthedischargeor collectoropenings.
Alwaysuse the clean-outtool providedtounclogthe dis-
chargeopening.Donot unclogchuteassemblywhileengine
isrunning.Shut off engineand remainbehindhandlesuntil
all movingpartshavestoppedbeforeunclogging.
19.Useonly attachmentsandaccessoriesapprovedbythe
manufacturer(e.g.wheelweights,tirechains,cabsetc.).
20. Ifsituationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthis manual,use
careand goodjudgment.Contactyourdealeror callthe
customerservice numberfoundonpagetwo.
Maintenance & Storage
1. Nevertamperwithsafetydevices.Checktheirproper
operationregularly.Refertothe maintenanceandadjust-
mentsectionsofthis manual.
2. Beforecleaning,repairing,or inspectingmachinedisen-
gageall controlleversandstopthe engine.Waituntilthe
auger/impellercometoa completestop. Disconnectthe
sparkplugwireand groundagainstthe engineto prevent
unintendedstarting.
3. Checkbolts and screwsfor propertightnessatfrequent
intervalstokeepthe machineinsafeworkingcondition.
Also,visuallyinspectmachinefor anydamage.
4. Do notchangetheenginegovernorsettingor over-speed
theengine.The governorcontrolsthemaximumsafe
operatingspeedoftheengine.
5. Snowthrowershaveplatesandskidshoesare subjectto
wearanddamage.Foryoursafetyprotection,frequently
checkallcomponentsand replacewithoriginalequipment
manufacturer's(OEM) parts only."Useof partswhich do
notmeetthe originalequipmentspecificationsmayleadto
improperperformanceandcompromisesafety!"
6. Checkcontrolsperiodicallytoverifytheyengageand
disengageproperlyandadjust,if necessary.Referto the
adjustmentsection inthis operator'smanualforinstructions.
7. Maintainor replacesafetyandinstructionlabels,asneces-
sary.
8. Observeproperdisposallawsandregulationsforgas,oil,
etc.toprotecttheenvironment.
9. Priorto storing,runmachineafewminutesto clearsnow
frommachineandpreventfreezeupof auger/impeller.
10.Neverstorethe machineorfuel containerinsidewhere
thereisan openflame,sparkor pilot lightsuchasa water
heater,furnace,clothesdryeretc.
11.Alwaysreferto theoperator'smanualforproperinstructions
onoff-seasonstorage.
Do not modify engine
Toavoidseriousinjuryordeath,donot modifyengineinany
way.Tamperingwiththegovernorsettingcanleadto arunaway
engineandcauseit tooperateatunsafespeeds.Nevertamper
withfactorysettingofenginegovernor.
Notice regarding Emissions
Engineswhicharecertifiedto complywithCaliforniaandfederal
EPAemissionregulationsfor SORE(SmallOff RoadEquipment)
arecertifiedtooperateonregularunleadedgasoline,andmay
includethefollowingemissioncontrolsystems:EngineModifica-
tion(EM)andThreeWayCatalyst(TWC)ifsoequipped.
Your Responsibility
Restrictthe useofthispowermachineto personswhoread,un-
derstandand followthe warningsand instructionsin this manual
andon the machine.
Practices
WARNING
Thissymbol points
out importantsafety
instructions,which if
notfollowed,could
endangerthe personal
safetyand/or property
of yourself and 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!
Your Responsibility
Restrictthe use
of this powermachine
to personswho read,
understand
andfollow the warnings
and instructions
in this manual
andon the machine.
5
NOTE:Referenceto right
andleftsideofthe machine
areobservedfromthe
operatingposition.
NOTE:ThisOperator's
Manualcoversseveral
models.Snowthrower
featuresvarybymodel.Not
allfeaturesdiscussedin
thismanualareapplicable
toall snowthrowermodels,
NOTE:Tworeplacement
augershearpinsandbow
' tie cotterpinsareprovided
foryourconvenience.Store
i ina safeplaceuntil
i needed.Referto"Augers"
i intheMaintenanceSection
ofthis manualfor more
information.
Observethelowerrearareaofthesnowthrowerto
besurebothcablesarealignedwith rollerguides
beforepivotingthehandleupward,
,
Securethehandlebytighteningtheplasticknob
locatedonboththeleftandrightsidesof thehandle,
Removeanddiscardanyrubberbands,ifpresent,
Theyareforpackagingpurposesonly,
,
Positionthechuteassemblyoverthebase,
4,
Closetheflangekeepersto securethe chute
assemblytothe chutebase,Theflangekeeperswill
clickintoplacewhenproperlysecure,
NOTE:Iftheflangekeeperswill noteasilyclickinto
place,usethe palmof yourhandto applyswift,firm
pressuretothe backofeach,
,J
6
5. Removetheflatwasherandhairpinclipfromtheend
ofthechutedirectionalcontrol.
Inserttheendofthechutedirectionalcontrolinto the
lowerbracketand securewiththeflatwasherand hair-
pin clipjust removed.If necessary,the lowerbracket
canbeadjusted.Referto ChuteBracketAdjustment.
on Page13.
Adjustments
Auger Control
IMPORTANT:Priortooperatingyoursnowthrower,refer
toAugerControlTestonpage11.Readandfollowall
instructionscarefullyandperformalladjustmentstoverify
yoursnowthrowerisoperatingsafelyand properly.
Skid Shoes
IMPORTANT:Itis notrecommendedthatyouoperate
this snowthrowerongravelas loosegravelcanbeeasily
pickedupandthrownbytheaugercausingpersonal
injuryordamagetothesnowthrower.
Thesnowthrowerskidshoesareadjustedupwardatthe
factoryforshippingpurposes.Adjustthemdownward,if
desired,priortooperatingthesnowthrower.RefertoSkid
Shoeson page13.
NOTE:Ifyouchoosetooperatethesnowthroweron
a gravelsurface,keeptheskidshoesin positionfor
maximumclearancebetweenthegroundandtheshave
plate.
Tire Pressure
Beforeoperating,checktirepressureand reducepres-
surein bothtirestobetween15psiand20 psi.
NOTE:Ifthetirepressureisnot 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 snow thrower is
operating safely and
properly.
7
Know Your Snow Thrower
WARN
Read, understand,
andfollow all instruc-
tions and warnings
onthe machineand
in this manual before
operating.
f
DriveControl
ElectricStart Button
GasCap
ChuteAssemh_I Fill \\ \,
Clean 0ut _'---__
SkidShoe
ShiftLever
/F erControl
ChuteDirectionalControl
EngineControls
ElectricStarterOutlet/i
Ignition
Key
__Primer
\
Choke
Control
Control
Figure 1
RecoilStarter
Handle
Jj
Useextreme care
when handling
gasoline.Gasoline is
extremelyflammable
and the vapors are
explosive.Neverfuel
the machineindoors
or whilethe engine
is hot or running.
Extinguishcigarettes,
cigars,pipes and
other sourcesof
ignition.
NOTE:Snowthrowersvary
bymodelwithregardto
featuresand components.
Yoursnowthrowermay
NOTresemble,indetail,
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,refertotheseparate
enginemanualpackedwithyour unit
Shift Lever
Theshiftleverislocatedin the rightside ofthehandle
panelandis usedtodeterminegorundspeedand
directionof travel,
Forward
Therearesixforward(F)speeds,Positionone(1)is the
slowestandpositionsix(6)is thefastest,
Reverse
Therearetworeverse(R)speeds,One(1)istheslower
andtwo(2)is thefaster.
Choke Control
Thechokecontrolisfoundontherearoftheengineand
isactivatedbyrotatingtheknobclockwise,Activatingthe
chokecontrolclosesthe chokeplateon thecarburetor
andaidsinstartingthe engine,
Throttle Control
Thethrottlecontrolis locatedon the
engine,Itregulatesthe speedof the
engineandwillshutofftheenginewhen
pusheddowncompletely,
©
Primer
Depressingthe primerforcesfueldirectly
intothe engine'scarburetortoaidin
cold-weatherstarting,
Oil Fill
Engineoil levelcanbecheckedandoil
addedthroughtheoilfill,
8
Auger Control
AUGER
CONTROL
Chute Directional Control
f \
CHUTE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL
ADJUSTABLE
DISCHARGE
LEFT
CHUTETILT
4,
Theaugercontrolislocatedontheleft handle.Squeeze
thecontrolgripagainstthehandleto engagetheaugers
andstartsnowthrowingaction.Releasetostop.
Drive Control / Auger Clutch Lock*
f DRIVE _
CONTROL
Thedrivecontrolislocatedontherighthandle.Squeeze
thecontrolgripagainstthehandleto engagethewheel
drive.Releasetostop.
*Onselectmodels,thedrivecontrolalsolockstheauger
controlsothatyoucanoperatethechutedirectional
controlwithoutinterruptingthe snowthrowingprocess.
If theaugercontrolisengagedsimultaneouslywiththe
drivecontrol,theoperatorcanreleasetheaugercontrol
(ontheleft handle)andtheaugerswillremainengaged.
Releasebothcontrolstostoptheaugersandwheel
drive.
IMPORTANT:Alwaysreleasethedrivecontrolbefore
changingspeeds.
Ignition Key
Theignitionkeyisa safetydevise.It mustbefully
insertedinorderfortheengineto start.Removethe
ignitionkeywhenthesnowthroweris notin use.
Donotturntheignitionkeyinanattemptto startthe
engine.Doingsomaycauseitto break.
Recoil Starter Handle
Thishandleisusedto manuallystarttheengine.
Electric Starter Button
Pressingtheelectricstarterbuttonengagestheengine's
electricstarterwhenpluggedinto a 120Vpowersource.
_e
Thechutedirectionalcontrolislocatedonleftsideofthe
snowthrower.
Tochangethedirectioninwhichsnowisthrown,turn
chutedirectionalcontrolasfollows:
• Crankclockwiseto dischargetotheleft.
• Crankcounterclockwisetodischargetothe right.
J
Clean-Out Tool
WARNING: Never useyour hands
to clear a cloggedchute assembly.
Shut off engineand remain behind
handlesuntilall movingparts have
stopped before unclogging.
Thechuteclean-outtoolisfastenedtothe
topoftheaugerhousingwithamountingclip.Thetoolis
designedtoclearacloggedchuteassembly.
NOTE: Thisitemisfastenedwitha cabletietotherear
oftheaugerhousingatthefactory.Cutthecabletie
beforeoperatingthe snowthrower.
Skid Shoes
Positiontheskidshoesbasedonsurfaceconditions.
Adjustupwardforhard-packedsnow.Adjustdownward
whenoperatingongravelorcrushedrocksurfaces.
Electric Starter Outlet
Requirestheuseofa three-prongoutdoorextensioncord
anda 120Vpowersource/walloutlet.
Augers
Whenengaged,theaugersrotateanddraw snowintothe
augerhousing.
Chute Assembly
Snowdrawnintothe augerhousingis dischargedoutthe
chuteassembly.
Gas Cap
Unthreadthegascapto addgasolineto thefueltank.
WARNING
The operation of
any snowthrower
can result inforeign
objects beingthrown
intothe eyes, which
can damage your
eyesseverely.Always
wear safety glasses
while operatingthe
snowthrower, or while
performing anyadjust-
ments or repairson it.
Besure no one other
thanthe operator is
standing near the sno_
throwerwhile starting
engineor operating
snowthrower. Never
run engineindoors or
in enclosed,poorly
ventilated areas. En-
gine exhaustcontains
carbon monoxide,an
odorless and deadly
gas. Keep hands,feet,
hairand looseclothinc
awayfrom any moving
parts on engine and
snowthrower.
9
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