Safety ,, Assembly ,, Operation ,,Tips & Techniques ,, Maintenance ,,Troubleshooting ,, Parts Lists ,,Warranty
OF A O A AL
Model 230, $230
Model 240, S240
Model 250, S250
Model 260, S260
ingle-Stage
nowThrower
Model 261, S261
iMPORTANT
READ SAFETY RULES AND iNSTRUCTiONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION
Warning: Thisunit isequippedwithan internalcombustionengineandshouldnot beusedon or nearanyunimprovedforest-covered,brush-
coveredor grass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemisequippedwithasparkarrestermeetingapplicablelocalor statelaws(if any).
If a sparkarresterisused,it shouldbemaintainedineffectiveworkingorderbythe operator.IntheStateofCaliforniatheaboveisrequiredbylaw
(Section4442ofthe CaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Otherstatesmayhavesimilarlaws.Federallawsapplyonfederallands.A sparkarrester
forthe mufflerisavailablethroughyournearestengineauthorizedservicedealerorcontacttheservicedepartment,RO.Box361131Cleveland,
Ohio44136-0019.
FORMNO.769-01283A
PRINTEDIN U.S.A.
IVITDLLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHiO 44136-0019
04/2005
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 .............................................. p. 3
Safe Operation Practices ........................... p. 4
Setting Up Your Snow Thrower .................. p. 6
Know Your Snow Thrower .......................... p. 7
Operating Your Snow Thrower ................... p. 8
Adjustments & Maintenance ................... p. 10
Finding and Recording IVlodel Number
BEFOREYOU STARTASSEMBLING
YOURNEW EQUIPMENT,
please locatethe modelplateonthe equipmentand copythe
informationto the sample modelplate providedtothe right.
Youcan locatethe model plateby standing at the operating
position and lookingdown atthe rear ofthe snowthrower.
Thisinformationwill be necessaryto usethemanufacturer's
website and/or obtainassistance from the CustomerSupport
Departmentoran authorizedservice dealer.
Off-Season Storage .................................. p. 12
Troubleshooting ........................................ p. 13
Parts List ................................................... p. 14
Accessories & Kits ................................... p. 17
Notes .......................................................... p. 18
Warranty ........................................ Back Cover
Model Number
Serial Number
MTD LLC
P.O. BOX 361131
CLEVELAND, OH 44136
330-220-4683
_D
www. rntdprod ucts.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 any questions regardingthe controls, operation,or maintenanceof this
unit,you canseek helpfromthe experts.Choose fromthe options below:
1. Visit mtdproducts.com. Click on the Service & Support menuoption.
2. Phonea Customer Support Representative at 1 (800) 800-7310.
3. The engine manufacturer is responsiblefor all engine-relatedissueswith regardsto performance,power-rating,specifica-
tions,warranty andservice. Pleasereferto the engine manufacturer'sOwner's/Operator's Manual,packed separatelywith
your unit, for more information.
MTD _rtt_r,t_fi_a_
O_r C_mp_y
Ser,_ice 8_Suppo_±
Product. Registration
Priwcy P_y
2
1.KEEPAWAYFROMROTATINGAUGER
CONTACTWiTHAUGERCAHAMPUTATE
HAHOSANDFEET.
2. DISEHGAGECLUTCHLEVERS,STOPEHGIHE,
ANDREMAINDEHIHDHAHBLESUNTILALL
MOVIHGPARTSHAVESTOPPEDBEFORE
UHCLOGGiHGORSERViCIHGMACHiHE.
3.TO AVOIDTHROWNOBJECTSIHJURIES,
NEVERDIRECTDISCHARGEATBYSTANDERS.
USEEXTRACAUTIONWHEHOPERATINGOH
GRAVELSURFACES.
4. BEADOPERATOR'SMAHUAL
WARNING
Thissymbolpoints
out importantsafety
instructionswhich,if
notfollowed,could
endangerthepersonal
safetyand/or property
ofyourself andothers.
Readandfollowall
instructionsinthis
manualbefore
attemptingto operate
this machine.Failure
to complywiththese
instructionsmayresult
in personalinjury.When
youseethis symbol.
HEED ITS WARNING!
Your Responsibility
Restrictthe useof
this power machineto
personswho read,
understandand
followthe warnings
and instructionsinthis
manualand on the
machine.
3
WARNING: EngineExhaust,some of itsconstituents,andcertain vehicle compo-
nentscontain or emit chemicals knownto Stateof Californiato cause cancerand
birth defects or other reproductiveharm.
DANGER: This machinewas builtto be operatedaccordingto the rulesfor safeoperation in this
manual.As with anytypeof powerequipment,carelessnessor erroron the part ofthe operatorcan
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 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 manualina safe placefor
futureandregularreferenceandfor orderingreplacement
parts. 2.
2. Befamiliarwithall controlsandtheirproperoperation.
Knowhowto stopthe machineanddisengagethemquickly.
3. Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsoldto operatethis
machine.Children14yearsoldandovershouldreadand
understandtheoperationinstructionsand safetyrulesin 3.
thismanualand 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 unitswithelectric 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. Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.
b. Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars, pipesandothersources
ofignition.
c. Neverfuelmachineindoors.
d. Neverremovegascap oradd fuelwhilethe engineis hot
or running.
e. Allowengineto coolat leasttwo minutesbeforerefuel-
ing.
f. Neveroverfillfuel tank.Filltankto nomorethanY2inch
belowbottomoffiller neckto providespacefor fuel
expansion.
g. Replacegasolinecap andtightensecurely.
h. If gasolineis spilled,wipe itoff theengineandequip-
ment.Movemachinetoanotherarea.Wait5minutes
beforestartingtheengine.
i. Neverstorethe machineorfuel containerinsidewhere
there isan openflame,sparkor pilotlight(e.g.furnace,
waterheater,spaceheater,clothesdryeretc.).
j. Allowmachinetocool at least5 minutesbeforestoring.
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. Donotoperatemachinewhile underthe influenceofalcohol
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 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
(800)800-7310forassistanceandthe 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 partswhich do
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.toprotectthe environment.
9. Priorto storing,run machineafew 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
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.
5
NOTE:This Operator'sManualcoversseveralmodels.
Snowthrowerfeaturesvarybymodel.Notall features
discussedin thismanualareapplicabletoall snow
throwermodels.
NOTE:All referencesto leftor rightsideof thesnow
throwerisfromthe operatingpositiononly
Contents of Carton
Cartoncontentsare listedbelowwithpart numbersin
parentheses.
1. TwoIgnitionKeys(725-0201)
2. 2.6 ozBottleof 2 CycleOil (737-04037)
3. ExtensionCord(if soequipped)(629-0236)
} ThisOperator'sManual
i coversseveralmodels.
i Snowthrowerfeatures
varybymodel.Not
allfeaturesdiscussed
} inthismanualare
applicabletoal snow
i ihrowermodels.
NOTE:
Allreferencestoleft
orrightsideofthe
snowthroweris
fromtheoperating
positiononly.
iMPORTANT:
Do not use the
chute handle to lift
thesnowthrower.
Figure 1
Figure 2
__, ARNING: Disconnectthe sparkplug
wire and ground it against the engineto
preventunintended starting.
Positioning the Upper Handle
1. Removepackingmaterial,if present.
2. Makingsurenotto pinchthe cablein the process,
pivottheupperhandleintotheoperatingpositionas
illustratedinFigure1 untilit clicksintoplace.
3. Tightenthewingknobsto securethehandleinplace
asin Figure1.
Assembling the Discharge Chute
Forshippingreasons,the snowthrowerhasbeen
packagedwiththeupperchutepivotedallthe waydown.
Topivotit upward,proceedasfollows:
1. Turnthechuteuntilthechuteopeningis facing
straightahead. Removethewingknob,flatwasher
andcarriageboltfromthe lowerchute. See Figure2.
2. Pivotthe upperchuteupwardoverthelip onthelower
chutesothatthere isNOgap betweentheupper
chuteandthelowerchute.
3. Resecurewiththe hardwarejust removed.If installed
correctly,your snowthrowershouldlooklikeFigure3.
IMPORTANT:Do notusethechutehandleto liftthe
snowthrower.
Figure 3
6