MTD 31AS235-722 Owner’s Manual

Operator's Manual

Single-Stage

Snow Thrower

Models 262

$235
$265

IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment.

Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered, brush-

covered or grass-covered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if
any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator. In the State of California the above is required
by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark
arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest engine authorized service dealer or contact the service department, P.O. Box 361131

Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019.

MTB LLC, P.O.BOX361131CLEVELAND,OHIO44136-0019

PRINTED IN U.S.A. FORM NO. 769-01200,

(5/21/2004)

TABLEOFCONTENTS

Content
Customer Support

Important Safe Operation Practices

Assembly

Controls
Operation

Page Content Page

2 Maintenance 8
3 Service & Adjustments 8

5 Accessories & Kits 11
6 Illustrated Parts List 12

7 Warranty Back Cover

FINDINGMODELNUMBER

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.

Before you start assembling your new equipment, please locate the model plate on the equipment
and copy the information from it in the space provided below. A sample model plate is also given below.
You can locate the model plate by standing behind the unit and looking at the rear of the snow thrower

frame. This information will be necessary to use the manufacturer's web site and/or help from the

Customer Support Department or an authorized service dealer.

Copy the model number here:

To [ro,o-o

www.mtdproducts.com 800-800-7310

P. O. BOX 361131

CLEVELAND,OH 44136
338-228-4683

Copy the serial number here:

CUSTOMERSUPPORT

Please doNOTreturnthe unit totheretailerfrom whereit waspurchased,withoutfirstcontactingCustomerSupport.

If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation or
maintenance of this unit, you can seek help from the experts. Choose from the options below:

Visit mtdproducts.com for many useful suggestions. Click on Customer Support button and
you will get the four options reproduced here. Click on the appropriate button and help is

immediately available.

Trend Answers

_nSWeF h_Fe

looking for could be just

a mouse click aw_y!

If you prefer to reach a Customer Support Representative, please call 1(800) 800-7310.

!

8RSWeF _ou h_Fe

fooking for could be just
a mouse crick aw_y!

The engine manufacturer is responsible for all engine-related issues with regards to
performance, power-rating, specifications, warranty and service. Please refer to the engine

manufacturer's Owner's/Operator's Manual, packed separately with your unit, for more
information.

SECTION1: IMPORTANTSAFEOPERATIONPRACTICES

WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the

personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual before
attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you

see this symbol--heed its warning.

WARNING: Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals

known to State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

DANG ER: This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this manual. As with

any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury. This
machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety
instructions could result in serious injury or death.

Training

1. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the
machine and in the manual(s) before attempting to
assemble and operate. Keep this manual in asafe place

for future and regular reference and for ordering

replacement parts.

2. Be familiar with all controls and their proper operation.
Know how to stop the machine and disengage them
quickly.

3. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate this
machine. Children 14 years old and over should read and
understand the operation instructions and safety rules in

this manual and should be trained and supervised by a

parent.

4. Never allow adults to operate this machine without proper
instruction.

5. Thrown objects can cause serious personal injury. Plan

your snow throwing pattern to avoid discharge of material
toward roads, bystanders and the like.

6. Keep bystanders, helpers, pets and children at least 75

feet from the machine while it is in operation. Stop

machine if anyone enters the area.

7. Exercise caution to avoid slipping or falling, especially
when operating in reverse.

Preparation

1. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment isto be
used. Remove all door mats, newspapers, sleds, boards,
wires and other foreign objects which could be tripped
over or thrown by the auger/impeller.

2. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields during
operation and while performing an adjustment or repair to
protect your eyes. Thrown objects which ricochet can
cause serious injury to the eyes.

3. Do not operate without wearing adequate winter outer
garments. Do not wear jewelry, long scarves or other
loose clothing which could become entangled in moving
parts. Wear footwear which will improve footing on
slippery surfaces.

4. Use agrounded three wire extension cord and receptacle

for all units with electric start engines.

5. Adjust collector housing height to clear gravel or crushed
rock surfaces.

6. Disengage the control handle before starting the engine.

7. Never attempt to make any adjustments while engine is
running, except where specifically recommended in the
operator's manual.

8. Let engine and machine adjust to outdoor temperature
before starting to clear snow.

9. To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme
care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely

flammable and the vapors are explosive. Serious

personal injury can occur when gasoline is spilled on

yourself or your clothes which can ignite. Wash your skin

and change clothes immediately.

a. Use only an approved gasoline container.
b. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other

sources of ignition.

c. Neverfuel machine indoors.
d. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the

engine is hot or running.

e. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before

refueling.

f. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tankto no more than _/2

inch below bottom of filler neck to provide space

for fuel expansion.

g. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.

h. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and

equipment. Move machine to another area. Wait 5

minutes before starting the engine.

i. Never store the machine or fuel container inside

where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light

(e.g. furnace, water heater, space heater, clothes

dryer etc.).

j. Allow machine to cool at least 5 minutes before

storing.

Operation

1. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts, in the auger
housing or discharge chute. Contact with the rotating
parts can amputate hands and feet.

2. The auger control handle is a safety device. Never
bypass its operation. Doing so, makes the machine
unsafe and may cause personal injury.

3. The control handle must operate easily in both directions
and automatically return to the disengaged position when

released.

4. Never operate with a missing or damaged discharge
chute. Keep all safety devices in place and working.

5. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated
area. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an
odorless and deadly gas.

6. Donotoperatemachinewhileundertheinfluenceof
alcoholordrugs.

7. Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancauseaburn.Do
nottouch.

8. Exerciseextremecautionwhenoperatingonorcrossing
gravelsurfaces.Stayalertforhiddenhazardsortraffic.

9. Exercisecautionwhenchangingdirectionandwhile
operatingonslopes.

10.Planyoursnowthrowingpatterntoavoiddischarge

towardswindows,walls,carsetc.Toavoidproperty

damageorpersonalinjurycausedbyaricochet.

11.Neverdirectdischargeatchildren,bystandersandpets
orallowanyoneinfrontofthemachine.

12.Donotoverloadmachinecapacitybyattemptingtoclear
snowattoofastofarate.

13.Neveroperatethismachinewithoutgoodvisibilityorlight.
Alwaysbesureofyourfootingandkeepafirmholdon

thehandles.Walk,neverrun.

14.Disengagepowertotheauger/impellerwhen

transportingornotinuse.

15.Neveroperatemachineathightransportspeedson
slipperysurfaces.Lookdownandbehindandusecare

wheninreverse.

16.Ifthemachineshouldstarttovibrateabnormally,stopthe
engine,disconnectthesparkplugandgrounditagainst

theengine.Inspectthoroughlyfordamage.Repairany

damagebeforestartingandoperating.

17.Disengagethecontrolhandleandstopenginebeforeyou
leavetheoperatingposition(behindthehandles).Wait
untiltheaugercomestoacompletestopbefore
uncloggingthedischargechute,makingany
adjustments,orinspections.

18.Neverputyourhandinthedischargeorcollector
openings.Alwaysuseaclearingtooltounclogthe
dischargeopening.

19.Useonlyattachmentsandaccessoriesapprovedbythe
manufacturer.

20.Ifsituationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthismanual,
usecareandgoodjudgment.Contactyourdealeror

telephone[phone]forassistanceandthename

ofyournearestservicingdealer.

MaintenanceAndStorage

1. Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper
operation regularly.

2. Disengage the control handle and stop engine. Wait until
the auger/impeller come to a complete stop. Disconnect
the spark plug wire and ground against the engine to

prevent unintended starting before cleaning, repairing, or
inspecting.

3. Check bolts, and screws for proper tightness at frequent

intervals to keep the machine in safe working condition.
Also, visually inspect machine for any damage.

4. Do not change the engine governor setting or over-speed
the engine. The governor controls the maximum safe

operating speed of the engine.

5. Snow thrower shave plates and skid shoes are subject to

wear and damage. For your safety protection, frequently
check all components and replace with original
equipment manufacturer's (O.E.M.) parts only. "Use of
parts which do not meet the original equipment
specifications may lead to improper performance and
compromise safety!"

6. Check controls periodically to verify they engage and

disengage properly and adjust, if necessary. Refer to the
adjustment section in this operator's manual for

instructions.

7. Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as

necessary.

8. Observe proper disposal laws and regulations for gas, oil,

etc. to protect the environment.

9. Prior to storing, run machine a few minutes to clear snow
from machine and prevent freeze up of auger/impeller.

10. Never store the machine orfuel container inside where
there is an open flame, spark or pilot light such as a water

heater, furnace, clothes dryer etc.

11. Always refer to the operator's manual for proper

instructions on off-season storage.

YourResponsibility:

• Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who
read, understand and followthe warnings and

instructions in this manual and on the machine.

SECTION2: ASSEMBLINGYOURSNOWTHROWER

NOTE: This Operator's Manual covers several models.

Snow thrower features vary by model. Not all
features discussed in this manual are applicable to all

snow thrower models.

ContentsofCarton

Carton contents are listed below:

• Two Ignition Keys

• Bottle of 2 cycle oil

• Extension Cord (select models only)
NOTE: All references to left or right side of the snow

thrower is from the operating position only.

_, WARNING: Disconnect the spark plug wireand ground it against the engine to prevent

unintended starting.

Positioningthe UpperHandle

• Remove packing material, ifpresent.

• Making sure not to pinch the cable in the process,
pivot the upper handle intothe operating position as
illustrated until itclicks intoplace.

• Tighten the wing knobs to secure the handle in
place.

AssemblingtheDischargeChute

For shipping reasons, the snow thrower has been
packaged with the upper chute pivoted all the way
down. To pivot itupward, proceed as follows:

• Turn the chute until the chute opening is facing
straight ahead.

• Remove the wing knob, flat washer and carriage
bolt from the lower chute.

• Pivot the upper chute upward over the lip on the
lower chute so that there is NO gap between the
upper chute and the lower chute.

• Resecure with the hardware just removed.

IMPORTANT:Donot use the chute handle to lift the snow
thrower.