Yard Machines 140, 152 User Manual

Operators Manual

Model Series
140 thru 152
Single Stage

Model 150 shown

Snow Throwers

IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

Warning:

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 368022 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-9722.

MTD PRODUCTS INC. P.O. BOX 368022 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-9722

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

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

FORM NO. 770-8750A

SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES

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 YOUR SNOW THROWER. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE
INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY. WHEN YOU SEE THIS SYMBOL-HEED ITS
WARNING.

WARNING

:

The Engine Exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to

the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

DANGER:

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. If you violate any of these rules, you may cause
serious injury to yourself or others.

Your snow thrower was built to be operated according to the rules for safe

1. TRAINING

• Read this operator's manual carefully in its entirety
before attempting to assemble or operate this
machine. Be completely familiar with the controls and
the proper use of this machine before operating it.
Keep this manual in a safe place for future and
regular reference and for ordering replacement parts.

• Never allow children under 14 years old to operate a
snow thrower. Children 14 years old and over should
only operate snow thrower under close parental
supervision. Only persons well acquainted with these
rules of safe operation should be allowed to use your
snow thrower.

• No one should operate this unit while intoxicated or
while taking medication that impairs the senses or
reactions.

• Keep the area of operation clear of all persons,
especially small children and pets.

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

1. PREPARATION

• Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is
to be used and remove all door mats, sleds, boards,
wires and other foreign objects.

• Disengage all clutches and shift into neutral before
starting engine.

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

• Before working with gasoline, extinguish all
cigarettes and other sources of ignition. Check the
fuel before starting the engine. Gasoline is an
extremely flammable fuel. Do not fill the gasoline
tank indoors, while the engine is running, or until
engine has been allowed to cool at least two
minutes. Replace gasoline cap securely and wipe off
any spilled gasoline before starting the engine as it
may cause a fire or explosion.

• Use a grounded three wire plug-in for all units with
electric drive motors or electric starting motors.

• Adjust collector housing height to clear gravel or
crushed rock surface.

• Never attempt to make any adjustments while engine
is running (except where specifically recommended
by manufacturer).

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

• Always wear safety glasses or eye shields during
operation or while performing an adjustment or
repair, to protect eyes from foreign objects that may
be thrown from the machine in any direction.

2. OPERATION

• Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts.
Keep clear of discharge opening and auger at all
times.

• Exercise extreme caution when operating on or
crossing gravel drives, walks, or roads. Stay alert for
hidden hazards or traffic. Do not carry passengers.

• After striking a foreign object, stop the engine,
remove wire from spark plug, and thoroughly inspect
the snow thrower for any damage. Repair the
damage before restarting and operating the snow
thrower.

2

• If the snow thrower should start to vibrate
abnormally, stop the engine and check immediately
for the cause. Vibration is generally a warning of
trouble.

• Stop engine whenever you leave the operating
position, before unclogging the collector/impeller
housing or discharge guide, and making any repairs,
adjustments, or inspections. Never place your hand
in the discharge or collector openings. Use a stick or
wooden broom handle to unclog the discharge
opening.

• Take all possible precautions when leaving the unit
unattended. Disengage the collector/impeller, shift
into neutral, stop the engine, and remove the key.

• When cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain
collector/impeller and all moving parts have stopped.
Disconnect spark plug wire and keep away from plug
to prevent accidental starting.

• Do not run engine indoors, except when starting
engine and transporting snow thrower in or out of
building. Open doors. Exhaust fumes are dangerous.

• Do not clear snow across the face of slopes.
Exercise extreme caution when changing direction
on slopes. Do not attempt to clear steep slopes.

• Never operate snow thrower without guards, plates,
or other safety protection devices in place.

• Never operate snow thrower near glass enclosure,
automobiles, window wells, drop off, etc., without
proper adjustments of snow thrower discharge angle.
Keep children and pets away.

• Do not overload machine capacity by attempting to
clear snow at too fast a rate.

• Never operate the machine at high transport speeds
on slippery surfaces. Look behind and use care
when backing.

• Never direct discharge at bystanders or allow anyone
in front of unit.

• Disengage power to collector/impeller when
transporting or not in use.

• Use only attachments and accessories approved by
the manufacturer of snow thrower (such as wheel
weights, counter weights, cabs, etc.).

• Never operate the snow thrower without good
visibility or light. Always be sure of your footing and
keep a firm hold on the handles. Walk, never run.

• Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a
burn. Do not touch.

3. MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE

• Check shear bolts, engine mounting bolts, etc., at
frequent intervals for proper tightness to be sure
equipment is in safe working condition.

• Never store the machine with fuel in the fuel tank
inside a building where ignition sources are present,
such as hot water and space heaters, clothes dryers,
and the like. Allow engine to cool before storing in
any enclosure.

• Always refer to operator's manual instructions for
important details if snow thrower is to be stored for
an extended period.

• Run machine a few minutes after throwing snow to
prevent freeze up of collector/impeller.

• Check clutch controls periodically to verify they
engage and disengage properly and readjust if
necessary. Refer to operator's manual for adjustment
instructions.

WARNING - YOUR RESPONSIBILITY:

read, understand and follow the warnings and instructions in this manual and on the machine.

Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who

Figure 1

3

SECTION 2: FINDING YOUR MODEL NUMBER

This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new snow thrower. It will help you assemble, prepare and
maintain your snow thrower. Please read and understand what it says.
Before you start to prepare your snow thrower for its first use, please locate the model plate and copy the
information from it in this Operators Manual. The information on the model plate is very important if you need
help from your dealer or the MTD customer support department.

• Every snow thrower has a model plate. You can locate it by standing behind the unit in the operating
position and looking down at the dash panel.

• The model plate will look like Figure 2.

This is where your model number will be.

XXX-X-XXX-X-XXX XXXXXXXXXXX

This is where your serial number will be.

Copy the model number here:

MTD PRODUCTS INC

CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136

Copy the serial number here:

Figure 2

SECTION 3: CALLING CUSTOMER SUPPORT

If you are having difficulty assembling this product or if you have any question regarding the controls, operation

or maintenance of this snow thrower, please call the Customer Support Department. You can reach them by

calling:

1-800-800-7310

Before you call, make sure that you have both your model and serial number ready. By having the model and
serial number ready, you help the Customer Support Representative give you faster service. To find your units
model and serial number, see SECTION 2: FINDING YOUR MODEL NUMBER.

4

SECTION 4: UNPACKING INSTRUCTIONS

• See Figure 3.

• Remove staples, break glue on the top flaps of the carton or cut tape at carton end and peel along top flap
to open carton. Remove any loose parts included with unit (i.e., Operator’s manual, etc.).

• Cut along dotted lines and lay end of carton down flat. Remove packing material.

• Roll unit out of carton. Check carton thoroughly for loose parts.

PUSH

REMOVE MANUAL & LOOSE PARTS

Figure 3

SECTION 5: SET- UP INSTRUCTIONS

This Operator’s Manual covers several models of snow throwers. Much of the Manual pertains to all of
the models. However, there are some areas where only one model is covered. Use only the information
that is appropriate for your model.

ITEMS REQUIRED FOR SET-UP

• Pair of pliers (not necessary, but helpful)

• 2 cycle oil

• Fresh Gasoline

IMPORTANT:

Manual for proper fuel and two cycle engine oil recommendations.

Note:

CONTENTS OF HARDWARE PACK

Models 150 thru 152 and model 140 with Optional Extended Chute Crank:

Reference to right or left hand side of the snow thrower is from the operating position

• (2) Ignition Keys (One may be in the switch on snow thrower)

• (1) Eyebolt

• (1) Saddle Washer 5/16" I.D.

• (2) Hex Nuts 5/16-18 Thread

• (1) Cotter Pin

This unit is shipped WITHOUT GASOLINE or OIL. See separate Engine Operator’s

5

RAISING THE UPPER HANDLE

1. Loosen the hand knob on each side of the handle. See Figure 4. Remove packing material (if any).

2. Squeeze the control handle against the upper handle. Hold it in this position as you raise the handle.

3. Pull the handle up into the operating position. Be certain not to pinch the cable.

4. Tighten the hand knobs.

3.

2.

Squeeze
Control

Handle

Pull

1.

Loosen Hand

Knobs

4.

Tighten

Hand

Knobs

Figure 4

ATTACHING THE CONTROL CABLE

Bottom
Hole In
Control
Handle

Control
Housing

1. The control cable may already be attached to the control handle. Complete steps two and three if cable is
loose.

2. Route the control cable over the lower handle. Place the end of the cable into the lower hole in the control
housing as shown in Figure 5. Push the plastic fitting until it locks into the control housing.

3. Lift the control handle up, and hook the “Z” end of the control cable into the bottom hole in the control
handle, from the outside to the inside (some models use only one hole). If necessary, use a pair of pliers to
pull up on the end of the cable to obtain slack in order to hook it into the control handle. Hold the “Z” fitting
with the pliers, not the cable, to avoid damaging the cable. (See inset - Figure 5.)

“Z” End
of Cable

Figure 5

Plastic Fitting

NOTE:

the control handle, refer to Belt Tension Adjustment Section of this manual.

The upper hole in the control handle provides for adjustment in belt tension. If you have only one hole in

6

INSTALLING THE CHUTE CRANK
(Models 150 thru 152 and model 140 with Optional Extended Chute Crank only.)

On some units, the chute crank can be installed and secured from the top side of the snow thrower. Other units
are equipped with an adaptor that requires the assembler to tip the unit forward on the auger housing in order to
secure the crank from the underside.

To determine which installation procedure to follow, look at the chute crank coupler located on the top right side
of the instrument panel above the model plate. See Figure 6. If the adaptor has a hole through it visible from the
top, follow the ”Secure from the Top” instructions. If the hole is not visible, follow the “Secure from the
Underside” instructions.

Chute Crank

Coupler

Figure 6

Hole in

Coupler

SECURE FROM THE T OP .

See Figure 7.

1. Thread one 5/16” hex nut all the way onto the eyebolt.

2. Slide the eyebolt onto the chute crank. Insert eyebolt into the hole in the lower handle.

3. Insert the chute crank into the coupler at the top right side of the snow thrower.

4. Rotate the crank to align holes, and insert the cotter pin. Bend ends of cotter in opposite directions to secure.

5. Secure eyebolt with 5/16” saddle washer and hex nut. The Cupped side of washer goes against the handle.
Adjust lower hex nut until the eyebolt is positioned so the chute crank turns freely. (does not bind)

6. Move upper hex nut down against the lower handle.

7. Tighten lower hex nut securely.

Hex
Nuts

Chute Crank

Eye Bolt

Saddle
Washer

Cotter Pin

Chute Crank

Coupler

Figure 7

7

SECURE FROM THE UNDERSIDE.

See Figure 8.

1. Place a piece of the cardboard from the carton on a level surface. Tip the snow thrower forward so that the
housing rests on the cardboard from the box.

2. Thread one 5/16” hex nut all the way onto the eyebolt.

3. Slide the eyebolt onto the chute crank. Insert eyebolt into the hole in the lower handle.

4. Insert the chute crank into the hole provided in the snow thrower cover. Place the end of the crank into the
coupler located inside the snow thrower.

5. Rotate the crank to align holes, and insert the cotter pin (inside the snow thrower cover). Bend ends of cotter
pin in opposite directions to secure.

6. Secure eyebolt with 5/16” saddle washer and hex nut. The Cupped side of washer goes against the handle
Adjust lower hex nut until the eyebolt is positioned so the chute crank turns freely (does not bind).

7. Move upper hex nut down against the lower handle.

8. Tighten lower hex nut securely.

Cotter Pin

Hex
Nuts

Chute Crank

Eye Bolt

Saddle
Washer

Chute Crank

Coupler

Figure 8

ASSEMBLING THE CHUTE

The snow thrower has been shipped with the upper chute pivoted all the way down. Assemble as follows:

Hand
Knob

Front

Flat

Washer

Carriage

Bolt

No

Gap

Upper
Chute

Figure 9

1. Turn the chute crank until the chute facing straight to the front. See Figure 9.

2. Remove the hand knob, flat washer and carriage bolt from the upper chute.

3. Pivot the upper chute up so there is no gap between the upper and lower chute. Secure with hardware just
removed.

8