MTD 31BE5MLG729 Owner’s Manual

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

OF A O AL

Two-Stage Snow Thrower- Model 5ML

iMPORTANT

READ SAFETY RULES AND iNSTRUCTiONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION

Warning: Thisunit isequippedwithaninternalcombustionengineandshouldnot beusedonor nearanyunimprovedforest-covered,brush- coveredor grass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemisequippedwitha sparkarrestermeetingapplicablelocalor statelaws(if any). If a sparkarresterisused,it shouldbemaintainedineffectiveworkingorderbythe operator.IntheStateof Californiatheaboveisrequiredbylaw (Section4442ofthe CaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Otherstatesmayhavesimilarlaws.Federallawsapplyonfederallands.A sparkarrester forthe mufflerisavailablethroughyournearestengineauthorizedservicedealeror contactthe servicedepartment,RO.Box361131Cleveland,

Ohio44136-0019.

FORMNO.769-01309C

PRINTEDINU.S.A.

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

6/07/2005

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

Customer Support .............................................. 2

Safety Labels ...................................................... 3

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

Setting UpYour Snow Thrower .......................... 6

Operating Your Snow Thrower ......................... 10

Making Adjustments ........................................ 14

Finding and Recording Model Number

BEFOREYOU STARTASSEMBLING

YOURNEW EQUIPMENT,

pleaselocate the model plateon theequipment and copythe informationto the sample model plate providedto the right.

You can locatethe modelplate bystanding at the operating

positionand looking down at the rearof the snow thrower.

This informationwill be necessaryto use the manufacturer's web site and/or obtain assistancefrom the CustomerSupport

Departmentoran authorizedservice dealer.

Maintaining Your Snow Thrower ...................... 16

Off-Season Storage .......................................... 20

Troubleshooting ................................................ 21

illustrated Parts List ......................................... 22

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

Model Number

www. mtdprod ucts.com

Serial Number

MTD LLC

P.O. BOX 361131

CLEVELAND, ON 44136 330-220-4683

800-800-7310 y

Customer Support

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

purchased, without first contacting Customer Support.

Ifyou havedifficultyassemblingthis productor haveany questionsregardingthecontrols, operation,or maintenanceof this

unit,you can seek helpfrom theexperts. Choosefrom the options below:

1. Visitmtdproducts.com. Click on the CustomerSup- port menuoption.

2. Phonea Customer Support Representative at 1 (800) 800-7310.

3. Theengine manufacturer isresponsiblefor all engine- relatedissueswith regardsto performance,power-rating, specifications,warrantyand service. Pleasereferto the enginemanufacturer'sOwner's/Operator's Manual,packed

separatelywith your unit, for moreinformation.

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 isfastenedtothe topofthe augerhousingwitha mountingclip.Thetoolisdesigned tocleara chuteassemblyoficeandsnow. Thisitemisfastenedwitha cabletieatthefactory.Cut thecabletiebeforeoperatingthesnowthrower.

_ ARNING: Never useyour

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 the warnings

and instructions

in this manual and onthe machine.

WARNING: EngineExhaust,some of itsconstituents,andcertain vehicle compo- nentscontain or emitchemicals knownto Stateof Californiato cause cancer and

birth defectsor otherreproductiveharm.

DANGER: This machinewas built to beoperatedaccordingto the rulesfor safe operationin this manual.As with any type of power equipment,carelessnessor erroronthe part ofthe operator can result inseriousinjury.This machineiscapableof amputatinghands andfeet andthrowingobjects.

Failureto observethe followingsafety instructionscould resultin serious injury ordeath.

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 power machine

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 manualinasafe placefor futureandregularreferenceandfor orderingreplacement

parts. 2.

2. Befamiliarwithall controlsandtheir properoperation. Knowhowto stopthemachineanddisengagethemquickly.

3. Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsoldto operatethis machine.Children14yearsold andovershouldreadand understandtheoperationinstructionsand safetyrulesin 3. thismanualandshouldbetrainedandsupervisedbya 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 becomeentangledin moving parts.Wearfootwearwhich willimprovefootingonslippery

surfaces. Useagroundedthree-wireextensioncordand receptacle

forall unitswithelectricstartengines. Adjustcollectorhousingheighttocleargravel orcrushed

rocksurfaces. Disengageallcontrolleversbeforestartingthe engine.

Neverattemptto makeanyadjustmentswhileengineis running,exceptwherespecificallyrecommendedinthe operator'smanual.

Letengineandmachineadjusttooutdoortemperature beforestartingtoclearsnow.

Toavoidpersonalinjuryor propertydamageuseextreme careinhandlinggasoline.Gasolineis extremelyflammable andthe vaporsareexplosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycan occurwhengasolineis spilledonyourselforyour clothes, whichcanignite.Washyourskinand changeclothes immediately.

a. Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer. b. Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersources

ofignition.

c. Neverfuelmachineindoors. d. Neverremovegascap oraddfuel whiletheengineis hot

or running.

e. Allowengineto coolat leasttwo minutesbeforerefuel-

ing.

f. Neveroverfillfueltank.Filltankto nomorethanY2inch

belowbottomoffiller neckto providespaceforfuel expansion.

g. Replacegasolinecap andtightensecurely. h. If gasolineis spilled,wipeitoff theengineandequip-

ment.Movemachinetoanotherarea.Wait5 minutes beforestartingtheengine.

i. Neverstorethe machineorfuel containerinsidewhere

there isan openflame,sparkor pilot light(e.g.furnace,

waterheater,spaceheater,clothesdryeretc.).

j. Allowmachinetocool at least5 minutesbeforestoring.

Operation

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

rotatingpartscan amputatehandsandfeet.

2. The auger/impellercontrolleveris a safetydevice.Never bypassitsoperation.Doingso makesthe machineunsafe

andmaycausepersonalinjury.

3. The controlleversmustoperateeasilyin bothdirections

andautomaticallyreturntothe disengagedpositionwhen

released.

4. Neveroperatewitha missingordamagedchuteassembly. Keepall safetydevicesin placeandworking.

5. Neverrunan engineindoorsor in apoorlyventilatedarea. Engineexhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,anodorlessand

deadlygas.

6. Donotoperatemachinewhile underthe 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 personalinjurycausedbya ricochet.

11.Neverdirectdischargeat children,bystandersandpetsor allow anyoneinfrontof the machine.

12.Donotoverloadmachinecapacitybyattemptingto clear snowat toofast ofa rate.

13.Neveroperatethis machinewithoutgoodvisibilityor light. Alwaysbe sureof yourfootingand keepafirm holdonthe

handles.Walk,neverrun.

14.Disengagepowerto the auger/impellerwhentransportingor

notin use.

15.Neveroperatemachineat hightransportspeedsonslippery surfaces.Lookdownand behindand usecarewhen

backingup.

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

17.Disengageallcontrolleversandstopenginebeforeyou

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

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

isrunning.Shut offengineand remainbehindhandlesuntil

all movingpartshavestoppedbeforeunclogging.

19.Useonlyattachmentsandaccessoriesapprovedbythe

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

20. Ifsituationsoccurwhich arenotcoveredin thismanual, usecareand goodjudgment.Contactyourdealeror call (800)800-7310forassistanceandthe nameofyournearest

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'smanualfor instructions.

7. Maintainor replacesafetyandinstructionlabels,as neces- sary.

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

9. Priorto storing,runmachineafewminutesto clearsnow frommachineandpreventfreezeupof auger/impeller.

10.Neverstorethe machineorfuel containerinsidewhere thereisan openflame, sparkor pilot lightsuchas a water

heater,furnace,clothesdryeretc.

11.Alwaysreferto theoperator'smanualfor properinstructions onoff-seasonstorage.

Do not modify engine Toavoidseriousinjuryordeath,donot modifyengineinany

way.Tamperingwiththegovernorsettingcan leadto arunaway engineandcauseit to operateatunsafespeeds.Nevertamper withfactorysettingofenginegovernor.

Notice regarding Emissions Engineswhicharecertifiedto complywithCaliforniaandfederal

EPAemissionregulationsforSORE(SmallOff RoadEquipment) arecertifiedto operateonregularunleadedgasoline,and may includethefollowingemissioncontrolsystems:EngineModifica- tion(EM)andThreeWayCatalyst(TWO)ifsoequipped.

Your Responsibility

Restrictthe useofthis powermachineto personswhoread,un- derstandandfollowthe warningsand instructionsinthis 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 inpersonalinjury.

Whenyou seethis symbol.

HEED IT'S WARNING!

YourResponsibility

Restrictthe use

of this power machine to personswho read.

understand and followthe warnings and instructions

in this manua and on the machine.

NOTE:Allreferences

i inthismanualtothe

leftorrightsideofthe snowthrowerisfrom

the operating position

' only.Exceptions,ifany,

will be specified.

Figure 1

IMPORTANT:Tworeplacementaugershearpinsare includedwiththis manual(orstowedintheplastichandle panel).Referto Augersonpage21formoreinformation regardingshearpin replacement.

. Observethelowerareaof thesnowthrowertobe

surebothcablesarealignedwithrollerguidesbefore pivotinghandleupward.

a. Pullupandbackonupperhandleasshownin

Figure1.Alignupperhandlewiththelowerhandle.

b. Tightenhandknobssecuringupperhandleto

lowerhandle.

2. Removewingnutand hexscrewfromchutecontrol assemblyandclevispinandcotterpinfromchute supportbracket.SeeFigure2. Positionthechute assembly(forward-facing)overthechutebase.

3. Placechuteassemblyontochutebaseand secure chutecontrolassemblytochutesupportbracketwith clevispinandcotterpin removedearlier.SeeFigure3.

iMPORTANT

Thisunit isshipped with the engine full of

oil. After assembly, referto the Tecumseh

Enginesmanual packedseparatelywith

yoursnow thrower forfuel and oil fill-up

details.

Figure 2

Figure 3

4. Finishsecunngchutecontrolassemblytochute ..................... ,_

supportbracketwithwingnutandhexscrewremoved j earlier.SeeFigure4.

5. Checkthatall cablesareproperlyroutedthroughthe cableguideon topoftheengine.SeeFigure5.

Theextensioncordis fastenedwithacabletie tothe rear ofthe augerhousingforshippingpurposes.Cutthecable

tieand removeit beforeoperatingthesnowthrower.

Your Snow

_ CAUTION:Priorto operating your

snowthrower,referto AugerControl

Teston page13.Readandfollow all instructionscarefully,and perform

all adjustments to verifyyour snow thrower isoperating safelyand

properly.

Shear Pin Storage

An areaforconvenientshearpin storageis locatedunder theplasticdashpanel.SeeFigure6.

Figure 4

CAUTION

Priorto operating your snowthrower,

refer to Auger Control Teston page 13.

Read andfollow all instructionscare-

fully and performall adjustments to verify

your unit is operating

afely and properly.

Figure 5

Figure 6

Your Snow

Thrower

Drift Cutters (if Equipped)

Driftcuttersshouldbeusedwhenoperatingthesnow throwerinheavydriftconditions.

• Onmodelsso equipped,driftcuttersare assembledto theaugerhousinginverted.SeeFigure7.

Removethecarriageboltsby unthreadingthehex nutswhichsecurethem,and reinstallthedriftcutters facingforwardbeforeoperatingthesnowthrower. Referto Figure8.

Securetotheaugerhousingwithcarriageboltsand hexnutspreviouslyremoved.SeeFigure9.

If yourunit isnotequippedwithdriftcutters,youmay contactCustomerSupportas instructedonpage2 for informationregardingpriceand availability.

SnowThrowerModel DriftCutterKit: Allmodels- OEM-390-679

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Chute Clean-Out Tool

Theclean-outtoolisconvenientlyfastenedtothe rearof theaugerhousingwitha mountingclip.SeeFigure10.

1. Releaseboththeaugercontrolandthedrive/auger controllock.

2. Stop theenginebymovingthe throttleto thestop position.

3. Removetheclean-outtoolfromthemountingclip.

4. Usethe shovel-shapedendofthe clean-outtoolto

removeanysnowandice inthechuteassembly.

5. Re-fastentheclean-outtoolto the mountingclipon the rearof theaugerhousingandrestartengine.

6. Whilestandingintheoperator'sposition(behindthe snowthrower),engagetheaugercontrolforafew secondsto clearany remainingsnoworicefromthe chuteassemblybeforecontinuingtoclearsnow.

Chute Clean-out Tool

Your Snow

Figure 10

__i ARNING:Neveruse yourhandsto

cleansnow andicefrom the chute assembly or auger housing.

Tire Pressure (Pneumatic Tires)

Thetiresareover-inflatedforshippingpurposes.Check thetire pressurebeforeoperatingthesnowthrower.Refer

tothe tiresidewallfortire manufacturer'srecommended psianddeflate(or inflate)thetiresas necessary.

NOTE:Ifthetirepressureisnot equalinbothtires,the unitmaynottravelina straightpathandtheshaveplate maywearunevenly.

WARNING

Neveruseyourhands

to clean snow and ice from the chute

assemblyorauger

housing,

manufactureris recomi

mendedpsL Equaltire

presSure should be

maintainedat alltimes: ExceSsivepressure

When seat ng beads

mayCausetire!rim assemblytobuist

with force sufficientto

cause serious injury Refer to sidewallof

tire for reCommended pressure:

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