MTD 31AE6FHG705, 31AE6BHE718 Owner’s Manual

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

A O AL

Two-Stage Snow Thrower -- H-Style

iMPORTANT

READ SAFETY RULES AND iNSTRUCTiONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION

Warning: Thisunitisequippedwithaninternalcombustionengineandshouldnotbeusedon or nearanyuniiprovedforest-covered,brush- coveredor grass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemisequippedwitha sparkarrestermeetingapplicablelocalor statelaws(if any). If a sparkarresterisused,it shouldbemaintainedineffectiveworkingorderby theoperator.IntheStateofCaliforniatheaboveisrequiredbylaw (Section4442oftheCaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Otherstatesmayhavesimilarlaws.Federallawsapplyonfederallands.A sparkarrester forthemufflerisavailablethroughyournearestengineauthorizedservicedealeror contactthe servicedepartment,RO.Box361131Cleveland,

Ohio44136-0019.

PRINTEDIN U.S.A

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

FORMNO.769-01276C

06/29/2005

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 ......................................... 12

Finding and Recording Model Number

BEFOREYOUSTARTASSEMBLING YOURNEW EQUIPMENT,

please locatethe modelplate onthe equipmentand copythe informationtothe sample modelplate providedtothe 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 assistancefrom theCustomerSupport 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_ 8oo=8oo=731 o

Customer Support

Please do/VOTreturn 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.Choosefrom the options below:

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

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

Ya_d_Man

Yard Machi_ea Maltreats OHHne Pa_50eHne $e_ce Locater

Theenginemanufacturer is responsibleforallengine-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.

i i l_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 isfastenedtothetopofthe augerhousingwitha mountingclip.Thetoolisdesigned toclearachuteassemblyof iceandsnow. Thisitemisfastenedwitha cabletieatthe factory.Cut thecabletiebeforeoperatingthesnowthrower.

_ ARNING: Never use your

hands to clear a cloggedchute

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 thewarnings

and instructions

in this manual and onthe 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 operationin 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 out importantsafety

instructionswhich,if notfollowed,could

endangerthe personal

i safetyand/or property I ofyourselfandothers.

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 manualina safe 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,bystandersandthe like.

6. Keepbystanders,helpers,petsandchildrenatleast75feet 5. fromthe machinewhileit isin operation.Stopmachineif

anyoneentersthearea. 6.

7. Exercisecautiontoavoidslippingor falling,especially 7. whenoperatingin reverse.

Preparation

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

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

Do notoperatewithoutwearingadequatewinterouter garments.Donotwearjewelry,longscarvesorother looseclothing,whichcould becomeentangledinmoving parts.Wearfootwearwhichwillimprovefootingonslippery

surfaces. Useagroundedthree-wireextensioncordandreceptacle

forall units withelectric startengines. Adjustcollectorhousingheighttocleargravelorcrushed

rocksurfaces. Disengageallcontrolleversbeforestartingthe engine.

Neverattemptto makeanyadjustmentswhileengineis running,exceptwherespecificallyrecommendedinthe operator'smanual.

Letengineandmachineadjustto outdoortemperature beforestartingtoclearsnow.

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 fuelwhilethe engineis hot

or running.

e. Allowengineto coolat leasttwo minutesbeforerefuel-

ing.

f. Neveroverfillfueltank. Filltankto nomorethanY2inch

belowbottomoffiller neckto providespaceforfuel expansion.

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

ment.Movemachinetoanotherarea.Wait5 minutes beforestartingtheengine.

i. Neverstorethe machineorfuel containerinsidewhere

there is an openflame,sparkorpilotlight (e.g.furnace,

waterheater,spaceheater,clothesdryeretc.).

j. Allowmachinetocoolat least5 minutesbeforestoring.

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. Donotoperatemachinewhileunderthe influenceof alcohol

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,bystandersandpetsor allow anyonein frontofthe machine.

12.Donotoverloadmachinecapacity byattemptingto clear snowattoofast ofa rate.

13.Neveroperatethis machinewithoutgoodvisibility or 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, usecareand goodjudgment.Contactyourdealeror call (800)800-7310forassistanceand thenameof yournearest

servicingdealer..

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) partsonly."Useof partswhich do

notmeetthe originalequipmentspecificationsmayleadto improperperformanceandcompromisesafety!"

6. Checkcontrolsperiodicallytoverifytheyengageand disengageproperlyandadjust,if necessary.Referto the adjustmentsectioninthisoperator'smanualforinstructions.

7. Maintainor replacesafetyandinstructionlabels,as neces- 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.Tamperingwiththegovernorsettingcan leadto arunaway engineandcauseit tooperateatunsafespeeds.Nevertamper withfactorysettingofenginegovernor.

Notice regarding Emissions Engineswhicharecertifiedto complywithCaliforniaandfederal

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

Your Responsibility

Restrictthe useofthispowermachineto personswhoread,un- derstandandfollowthe warningsandinstructionsin this 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 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 and instructions

in this manua and on the machine.

Setting Up

Your Snow

Thrower

NOTE:Referenceto right

i andleftsideofthe machine

areobservedfromthe operatingposition.

' NOTE:ThisOperator's i Manualcoversseveral

models.Snowthrower

featuresvaryoymodel.

i Notallfeaturesdiscussed i and/orpicturedin this

manualareapplicabletoall snowthrowermodels,

1. Observethelowerrearareaofthe snowthrowerto besurebothcablesarealignedwith rollerguides

beforepivotingthehandleupward.

2. Securethehandleby tighteningtheplasticwing knoblocatedon boththeleftand rightsidesof the handle.Removeanddiscardanyrubberbands,if present.Theyareforpackagingpurposesonly.

3. Positionthechuteassemblyoverthebase.

4. Closethe flangekeepersto securethechute assemblytothechutebase.Theflangekeeperswill clickintoplacewhenproperlysecure.

NOTE:Iftheflangekeeperswillnoteasilyclickinto place,usethe palmof yourhandto applyswift,firm pressuretothebackofeach.

NOTE:Tworeplacement

i augershearpinsand bow i tiecotterpinsare provided

, foryourconvenience.Store

inasafeplaceuntil

i needed.Referto Augers" I inthe MaintenanceSection

I of thismanualfor more

information.

5. Removethefiatwasherandhairpinclipfromtheend ofthechutedirectionalcontrol.

inserttheendofthe chutedirectionalcontrolintothe

lowerbracketand securewiththefiatwasherand hair- pin clipjust removed.If necessary,the lowerbracket

canbeadjusted.Referto ChuteBracketAdjustment. on Page13.

Adjustments

Auger Control

iMPORTANT:Priortooperatingyoursnowthrower,refer

toAugerControlTestonpage11.Readandfollowall instructionscarefullyandperformalladjustmentstoverify yoursnowthrowerisoperatingsafelyandproperly.

Skid Shoes

Setting Up

iMPORTANT:Itis not recommendedthatyouoperate this snowthrowerongravelas loosegravelcanbeeasily pickedupandthrownbytheaugercausingpersonal injuryordamagetothesnowthrower.

Thesnowthrowerskidshoesareadjustedupwardatthe factoryforshippingpurposes.Adjustthemdownward,if desired,priortooperatingthesnowthrower.RefertoSkid Shoeson page12.

NOTE:Ifyouchoosetooperatethesnowthroweron a gravelsurface,keeptheskidshoesin positionfor maximumclearancebetweenthegroundandtheshave plate.

Tire Pressure

Beforeoperating,checktirepressureand reducepres- surein bothtirestobetween15psiand20 psi.

NOTE:Ifthetirepressureisnotequalin bothtires,the unitmaynottravelina straightpathandtheshaveplate maywearunevenly.

IMPORTANT

Priorto operatingyour

snowthrower, refer to Auger ControlTest

on page 11.Readand followall instructions

carefullyand perform all adjustmentsto verify

your snow thrower is operating safely and

properly.

Know Your

Snow Thrower

Operating

Your S"ow

Thrower

WARNING

Read, understand,

and follow all instruc- tions and warnings

onthe machineand

inthis manualbefore operating.

DriveControl

Electric Start Button

ChuteAssembly \

\ GasCap

\ 0il Fill

CleanOut

Tool

Angers SkidShoe

ShiftLever

EngineControls

Recoil Starter

Handle

ElectricStarter 0utlet /

, Primer ___ I ///I

ignition

Key

Choke/

Control

Figure 1

Use extreme care

when handling gasoline.Gasoline is

extremelyflammable and the vapors are

.=xpJosive.Neverfuel

the machine indoors

or whiletheengine is hotor running.

Extinguishcigarettes, cigars,pipes and

other sourcesof ignition.

Now that you have set up your snow thrower for operation, get acquainted with its controls and

features. These are described below and illustrated this page. 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

Theshiftleverislocatedon the right sideof thehandlepanel.Placethe shiftleverintoanyofeightpositions

tocontrolthedirectionoftraveland groundspeed.

Forward

Therearesixforward(F)speeds.Posi- tionone (1)istheslowestand position six(6)isthefastest.

Reverse Therearetworeverse(R)speeds.

One(1)is theslowerandtwo(2)is the faster.

6 5

4 3

t 2

Choke Control

Iii

Thechokecontrolisfoundontherearoftheengineand isactivatedby rotatingtheknobclockwise.Activatingthe chokecontrolclosesthe chokeplateon thecarburetor andaidsinstartingtheengine.

Thethrottlecontrolis locatedon the

Throttle Control

engine.Itregulatesthespeedofthe engineandwillshutofftheenginewhen pusheddowncompletely.

Primer

Depressingthe primerforcesfueldirectly intothe engine'scarburetortoaidin cold-weatherstarting.

Oil Fill

Engineoil levelcanbecheckedandoil addedthroughtheoilfill.

Auger Control

Ignition Key

Theignitionkeyisasafetydevise.Itmustbefully

insertedin orderfortheenginetostart. Removethe ignitionkeywhenthesnowthrowerisnotinuse.

NOTE:Donotturntheignitionkeyinanattempttostart

theengine.Doingsomaycauseit tobreak.

Clean-Out Tool

Theaugercontrolislocatedonthelefthandle.Squeeze thecontrolgripagainstthehandleto engagetheaugers andstartsnowthrowingaction.Releasetostop.

Drive Control

DRIVE

CONTROL

Thedrivecontrolislocatedontherighthandle.Squeeze thecontrolgripagainstthehandleto engagethewheel drive.Releasetostop.

Chute Directional Control

CHUTE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL

DISCHARGE (/_"",,, DISCHARGE

ADJUSTABLE

CHUTETiLT

Thechutedirectionalcontrolislocatedonleftsideofthe snowthrower.

Tochangethedirectionin whichsnowisthrown,turn chutedirectionalcontrolasfollows:

• Crankclockwisetodischargeto the left. * Crankcounterclockwisetodischargetotheright.

,__ 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-outtoolisfastenedto thetopofthe augerhousingwitha mountingclip.Thetoolisdesigned toclearacloggedchuteassembly.

NOTE: Thisitemisfastenedwitha cabletietotherear

oftheaugerhousingatthe factory.Cutthe cabletie

beforeoperatingthe snowthrower.

Skid Shoes

Positiontheskidshoesbasedonsurfaceconditions.

Adjustupwardforhard-packedsnow.Adjustdownward whenoperatingongravelorcrushedrocksurfaces.

Recoil Starter Handle

Thishandleis usedtomanuallystartthe engine.

Electric Starter Button

Pressingtheelectricstarterbuttonengagestheengine's

electricstarterwhenpluggedintoa 120Vpowersource.

Electric Starter Outlet

Requirestheuse ofa three-prongoutdoorextensioncord (included)anda 120Vpowersource/wailoutlet.

Augers

Whenengaged,theaugersrotateanddraw snowintothe augerhousing.

Chute Assembly

Snowdrawnintothe augerhousingisdischargedoutthe

chuteassembly.

Gas Cap

Unthreadthegascapto addgasolinetothefueltank.

WARNING

The operation of

any snow thrower

can result inforeign objects being thrown

intothe eyes, which

can damage your eyes severely. Always

_vearsafety glasses

while operating the snow thrower, or while performing any adjust-

ments or repairs on it.

Besure no one other

than the operator is standing near the sno_

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

odorless and deadly gas. Keep hands, feet,

hair and loose clothing

away from any moving parts on engine and

snow thrower.

+ 19 hidden pages