MTD 31D-140-352, 31AE160-129 Owner’s Manual
OPERATOR'S MANUAL
Single-Stage
Snow Thrower
Models 140
150
160
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.
MTD LLC, P.O.BOX361131CLEVELAND,OHIO44136-0019
PRINTED IN U.S.A. FORM NO. 769-00805
(7/2003)
TABLEOFCONTENTS
Content Page
Important Safe Operation Practices ......................................................................................... 3
Assembling Your Snow Thrower .............................................................................................. 5
Know Your Snow Thrower ........................................................................................................ 6
Operating Your Snow Thrower ................................................................................................. 7
Making Adjustments ................................................................................................................. 8
Maintaining Your Snow Thrower .............................................................................................. 8
Off-Season Storage ................................................................................................................. 9
Troubleshooting ....................................................................................................................... 10
Accessories & Kits ................................................................................................................... 11
Parts List .................................................................................................................................. 12
FINDINGMODELNUMBER
This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new snow thrower. It will help you to assemble, prepare and
maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.
Before you start assembling your new snow thrower, please locate the model plate on the
equipment and copy the information from it in the space provided below. The information on the
model plate is very important if you need help from our Customer Support Department or an
authorized dealer.
You can locate the model number by standing behind the unit inthe operating position and looking down at
the dash panel. A sample model plate is explained below. For future reference, please copy the model
number and the serial number of the equipment in the space below.
ModelNumber
Serial Number
'_ WITB LLC
,, www.mtdproducts.com 800-800-731 O .)
P. O. 80X 361131
CLEVELAND,OH 44136
330-220-4683
Copy the model number here:
Copy the serial number here:
ENGINEINFORMATION
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.
CALLINGCUSTOMERSUPPORT
Please doNOTreturnthe unit to the retailer fromwhichit waspurchased,withoutfirstcontactingCustomerSupport.
Should you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation or
maintenance of this unit, please call the Customer Support Department.
Call 1- (330) 220-4MTD (4683) or 1- (800) 800-7310 to reach a Customer Support representative.
Please have your unit's model number and serial number ready when you call. See previous section
to locate this information. You will be asked to enter the serial number in order to process your call.
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.
DANGER: 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 14years 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 is to
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 a two prong polarized 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 fitt fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than
½ inch below bottom of filler neck to provide space
for fuel expansion.
g. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
h. Ifgasoline 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/
impeller housing or discharge chute. Contact with the
rotating parts can amputate hands and feet.
2. The auger/impeller 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. Do not operate machine while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
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.Neveroperatethismachinewithoutgoodvisibilityor
light.Alwaysbesureofyourfootingandkeepafirmhold
onthehandles.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
untiltheauger/impellercomestoacompletestopbefore
uncloggingthedischargechute,makingany
adjustments,orinspections.
18.Neverputyourhandinthedischargeorcollector
openings.Alwaysuseaclearingtooltounclogthe
dischargeopening.
19.Useonlyattachmentsandaccessoriesapprovedbythe
manufacturer(e.g.wheelweights,tirechains,cabsetc.).
20.Ifsituationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthismanual,
usecareandgoodjudgment.Contactyourdealeror
telephone1-800-800-7310forassistanceandthename
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 safetyV'
6. Check clutch controls periodically to verify they engage
and disengage properly and adjust, ifnecessary. 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 taws 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 or fuel 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 follow the warnings and
instructions in this manual and on the machine.
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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 with part numbers in
parentheses.
• Two Ignition Keys (725-0201)
• Bottle of 2 cycle oil
• Extension Cord (if so equipped)
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.
PositioningtheUpperHandle
• Remove packing material, if present, and loosen
the wing knobs found on each side of the handle.
• Making sure not to pinch or crimp the cable in the
process, pivot the upper handle into the operating
position as illustrated in Figure 1 until it clicks into
place.
• 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 it upward, proceed as follows:
• Turn the chute until the chute opening isfacing
straight ahead.
• Remove the wing knob, flat washer and carriage
bolt from the lower chute. See Figure 2.
• 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. See Figure 2.
• Resecure with the hardware just removed.
CAUTION:Do not use the Chute
Handle to lift the machine.
Carriage Bolt
and Flat Washer
Wing Knob
Figure 1
Figure 2
Wing Knob
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