Yard Machines 611 User Manual
Operator’s Manual
Snow Thrower
Model 611
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 368022 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-9722.
MTD PRODUCTS INC. P.O. BOX 368022 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-9722
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
ECO No.1222
FORM NO.
770-10001B.fm
(6/2000)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Content Page
Important Safe Operation Practices...................................................................3
Hardware Pack..................................................................................................5
Assembling Your Snow Thrower........................................................................6
Know Your Snow Thrower .................................................................................11
Operating Your Snow Thrower...........................................................................12
Making Adjustments ..........................................................................................13
Maintaining Your Snow Thrower........................................................................15
Service...............................................................................................................16
Off-Season Storage...........................................................................................18
Troubleshooting.................................................................................................19
Parts List............................................................................................................20
FINDING MODEL NUMBER
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. 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 in the operating position and looking
down at the frame below engine. 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.
(Model Number)
CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136
(Serial Number)
MTD PRODUC TS INC
Copy the model number here:
Copy the serial number here:
CALLING CUSTOMER SUPPORT
If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation or
maintenance of this unit, please call 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 .
For more details about your machine, visit our web site at www.mtdproducts.com
2
SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES
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, a nd follow all in struction s on the
machine and in the manual(s ) before a ttempting to
assemble and o perate. Keep this ma nual in a safe pl ace
for future and regular re ference a nd for orde ring
replacement parts.
2. Be familiar with all controls and their prope r operation.
Know how to stop the mach ine and d isengage them
quickly.
3. Never allow childre n under 14 y ears old to operate this
machine. Children 14 years old and over should rea d and
understand the op eration in struction s and sa fety rules i n
this manual and should be trained and sup ervised b y a
parent.
4. Never allow adults to operate this machine without
proper instruction.
5. Thrown objects can cause seriou s personal injury . Plan
your snow throwin g pattern to avoid di scharge of mat erial
toward roads, bystanders and the like.
6. Keep bystanders, hel pers, pets and chi ldren at l east 75
feet from the machin e while it is in operatio n. Stop
machine if anyo ne enters the area.
7. Exercise caution to avoid s lipping o r falli ng, espe cially
when operating in reverse.
Preparation
1. Thoroughly inspect the area wh ere the eq uipment i s to
be used. Remove all door mat s, newspa pers, sle ds,
boards, wires and o ther foreig n object s which c ould be
tripped over or throw n by the auger/imp eller.
2. Always wear safet y glasses or eye s hields d uring
operation and while performing an adjustment or repair to
protect your eyes. T hrown ob jects whi ch ricochet can
cause serious inj ury to the eyes.
3. Do not operate wit hout wearing adequate winter outer
garments. Do not wear jewelry, long scarves or other
loose clothing which cou ld becom e entang led in m oving
parts. Wear footwear w hich wi ll improve footing on
slippery surfaces.
4. Use a grounded three wire ex tension cord and receptac le
for all units with electric start engi nes.
5. Adjust collector housing height to clear gravel or crushed
rock surfaces.
6. Disengage all cl utch levers before st arting the engin e.
7. Never attempt to m ake any adjustme nts while engine i s
running, except where spec ifically recomm ended in the
operator’s manual.
8. Let engine and m achine adju st to outd oor tem perature
before starting to clear snow.
9. To avoid personal injury or pro perty damage use extre me
care in handling gasolin e. Gasol ine is e xtremely
flammable and the v apors are explosiv e. Serious
personal injury c an occur w hen gas oline is spilled o n
yourself or your c lothes which c an ignit e. Wash y our skin
and change clot hes immedi ately.
a. Use only an approved gasoline container.
b. Extinguish all cigarettes, cig ars, pipes and other
sources of ignition.
c. Never fuel machine indoo rs.
d. Never remove gas cap or add fue l whil e the
engine is hot or running.
e. Allow engine to cool at leas t two minu tes before
refueling.
f. Never over fill fuel tank. Fil l tank to no more tha n
½ inch below bottom of fill er neck to provide space
for fuel expansi on.
g. Replace gasoli ne cap an d tighten secu rely.
h. If gasoline is sp illed, wip e it off th e engine and
equipment. Move machine to another area . Wait 5
minutes before start ing the e ngine.
i. Never store the machine or fuel containe r inside
where there is an o pen flam e, spark or pilot l ight
(e.g. furnace, water heater, space heate r, clothes
dryer etc.).
j. Allow machine to cool at least 5 mi nutes bef ore
storing.
Operation
1. Do not put hands o r feet near rotating p arts, in the a uger/
impeller housing o r disc harge chu te. Cont act wit h the
rotating parts can am putate ha nds and feet.
2. The auger/impelle r clutch lev er is a safety de vice. Nev er
bypass its operati on. Doing so, makes the ma chine
unsafe and may cause p ersonal i njury.
3. The clutch leve rs must o perate easily in both d irections
and automatical ly return to the disengaged pos ition when
released.
4. Never operate with a miss ing or da maged di scharge
3
chute. Keep all safe ty devic es in pl ace and working.
5. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly vent ilated
area. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide , an
odorless and dea dly gas .
6. Do not operate mac hine while under the influenc e of
alcohol or drugs.
7. Muffler and engine beco me hot and can cause a burn. Do
not touch.
8. Exercise extreme ca ution when operating on or cro ssing
gravel surfaces. Stay alert for hidden hazards or traffic.
9. Exercise caution w hen changi ng directi on and w hile
operating on slop es.
10. Plan your snow t hrowing pat tern to av oid disc harge
towards windows, wa lls, cars e tc. To avoid prope rty
damage or personal injury caus ed by a ricochet.
11. Never direct disc harge at c hildren, b ystander s and pet s
or allow anyone in front of t he machi ne.
12. Do not overload machine capa city by attemptin g to clear
snow at too fast of a rate.
13. Never operate this machine without good vi sibility or
light. Always be s ure of yo ur footing and keep a firm hold
on the handles. W alk, never r un.
14. Disengage power to t he aug er/impeller w hen
transporting or not in use.
15. Never operate mach ine at hi gh transp ort speeds on
slippery surfaces. Look down and b ehind an d use ca re
when in reverse.
16. If the machine sh ould start to vi brate abnormally , stop the
engine, disconnect the spark plug an d grou nd it agai nst
the engine. Inspect thoroughly for dam age. Repair any
damage before starting and ope rating.
17. Disengage all cl utch lev ers and st op engin e before y ou
leave the operating position (be hind the handles). Wai t
until the auger/im peller come s to a complete stop befo re
unclogging the d ischarge chute, m aking an y
adjustments, or inspecti ons.
18. Never put your hand in the d ischarge or colle ctor
openings. Always use a cl earing to ol to unc log the
discharge opening.
19. Use only attach ments a nd acce ssories approved by the
manufacturer (e.g. wheel weigh ts, tire c hains, cabs etc.) .
20. If situations occur which are not covered in this manua l,
use care and good judgment. Cont act your dealer or
telephone 1-800-800-73 10 for assistance and the name
of your nearest s ervicing dealer.
Maintenance And Storage
1. Never tamper with sa fety devic es. Check their prop er
operation regularly.
2. Disengage all cl utch lev ers and stop engine. Wait u ntil
the auger/impelle r come to a complet e stop . Disconn ect
the spark plug wir e and ground aga inst the engine to
prevent unintended s tarting before cleaning, r epairing, or
inspecting.
3. Check bolts, and sc rews for pro per tightn ess at fre quent
intervals to keep the machine in sa fe working conditio n.
Also, visually inspect mach ine for an y damage .
4. Do not change the engine governo r setting or over-speed
the engine. The go vernor co ntrols th e maxim um safe
operating speed o f the engi ne.
5. Snow thrower shave plate s and skid shoe s are subjec t to
wear and damage. F or your sa fety prote ction, fre quently
check all compon ents a nd replace with orig inal
equipment manuf acturer’s (O.E.M. ) parts on ly. “Us e of
parts which do not meet the original equipment
specifications ma y lead t o imprope r performan ce and
compromise safety!”
6. Check clutch controls periodically to verify they engage
and disengage proper ly and adjust, if necessary. Re fer to
the adjustment sec tion in th is opera tor’s manual for
instructions.
7. Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as
necessary.
8. Observe proper disp osal laws and regu lations for gas,
oil, etc. to protect t he enviro nment.
9. Prior to storing, run machine a few minutes to clear snow
from machine an d prevent freeze up of auger/i mpeller.
10. Never store the machine or fuel cont ainer inside whe re
there is an open flame, s park or pilot light such as a water
heater, furnace ,cloth es dryer etc.
11. Always refer to the o perator’s manual f or prope r
instructions on off-sea son storage.
Your Responsibility:
Restrict the use o f this po wer machine to person s who read ,
understand and fo llow the w arnings an d instruc tions in this
manual and on t he machi ne. The s afety lab els are g iven
below for your r eference.
4
SECTION 2: CONTENTS OF HARDWARE PACK
Lay out the hardware according to the illustration below for identification purposes. Part numbers are shown in
parentheses. (Hardware pack may contain extra items which are not used on your unit.)
A
(2) Hex Bolts (B)
710-3008
D
(2)Hex Bolts (A)
(710-3180)
(4)Lock Washers (C)
(736-0119)
(2) Saddle (I)
(784-5599)
(4) Self-Tapping
Screws (F)
(710-0599)
B
C
E
(4) Carriage Bolts (E)
(710-0262)
(4) Hex Nuts (D)
(712-3010)
(2) “Z” Fitting (R)
(746-0778)
(4) Hex Nuts (D)
(712-3010)
(4) Lock
Washers (C)
(736-0119)
(2) Hex Nuts (J)
(712-0121)
(2) Hex
Bolts (G)
(710-3015)
G
Cupped Washer (N)
(736-0242)
(2) Flat Washers (S)
(736-0185)
* The augers are secured to the spiral shaft with two shear bolts and hex lock nuts. If you hit a hard foreign object or an ice jam, the snow
thrower is designed so that the bolts may shear. Two replacement shear bolts and nuts are provided for your convenience. Store in a safe
place until needed.
(2) Hex Lock Nuts (H)
(712-3027)
(2) Hex Nuts (D)
(712-3010)
Hairpin Clip (T)
(714-0104)
F
(6) Hex Lock Nuts (M)
(712-3027)
(6) Hex Bolts (K)
(710-3015)
*
H
5
(2) Hex Lock Nuts
(712-0429)
(3) Chute Flange Keepers
(Not Shown) (731-0851)
(2) Shear Bolts
(710-0890A)
SECTION 3: ASSEMBLING YOUR SNOW THROWER
IMPORT ANT :
gasoline, and check oil level as instructed in the
separate engine manual packed with your unit.
NOTE: References to right or left side of the snow
thrower are determined from behind the unit in the
operating position.
After assembly, service engine with
Unpacking
• Remove staples or break glue on top flaps of the
carton. Remove any loose parts included with unit
(i.e., operator’s manual, etc.).
• Cut corners of the carton and lay ends down flat.
Remove packing material.
• Roll unit out of carton. Check carton thoroughly for
loose parts before discarding.
Loose Parts In Carton
B
C
E
A
G
D
F
• Compare Figure 1 with the list below to identify
loose parts in the carton.
Ref. Description Qty.
A Handles (Right and Left) 2
BPivot Rod 1
C Cover Tube 1
D Clutch Grips (Right and Left) 2
E Handle Panel 1
F Speed Selector Plate 1
G Shift Lever 1
H Chute Directional Control Assembly 1
J Chute Assembly 1
I Hardware Pack 1
Tools Required
1. Two adjustable wrenches
Before Assembly
WARNING: Disconnect the spark plug wire
and ground it against the engine to prevent
unintended starting.
Attaching Handles
(Use Hardware Group A.)
• Place right handle in position against the snow
thrower so that the flat side of the handle is against
the frame. Align the bottom hole on the handle to
the corresponding hole on the snow thrower
housing.
• Insert hex bolt (B) and lock washer (C) through
these holes to secure the handle to the snow
thrower housing. See Figure 2. There are weld nuts
welded to the inside of the frame for these bolts. Do
not tighten now.
Hex Bolt B
Lock W asher C
J
Figure 1
Saddle
Washer I
H
Hex Bolt A,
Lock W asher C
Figure 2
• Attach the left handle in the same manner. Do not
tighten no w.
• Place saddle washer (I) over upper holes on
handles as shown in Figure 2. Secure to the frame
with lock washers (C) and hex bolts (A). Do not
tighten no w.
6
Attaching Clutch Grips
(Use Hardware Group B.)
• Slide the pivot rod into the cover tube as shown in
Figure 3.
NOTE: In some models, the pivot rod and co ver tube
may be pre-assembled.
Pivot Rod
Cover Tube
Carriage
Bolts E
Lock
Washe r C
Self-Tapping
Screws F
H
e
x
Speed
Selector
Plate
Washer C
N
u
t
s
Lock
D
Carriage
Bolts E
Figure 3
• Place the clutch grips in position on the rod as
shown in Figure 4. Thread hex nuts (D) onto each
end of the rod. Tighten nuts allowing the clutch
grips to move freely on the pivot rod. See Figure 4.
Clutch
Grips
Pivot Rod
with Cover
Hex Nuts D
Figure 4
• Insert clutch grip and rod assembly into handle
tabs. Clutch grips must sit on top of the handles.
Thread hex nuts (D) on each end to hold into
position. Do not tighten. See Figure 5.
Clutch Grip and
Rod Assembly
Self-Tapping
Screws F
Figure 6
Attaching Speed Selector Plate
(Use Hardware D.)
• Assemble the speed selector plate to the outside
of the handles as shown in Figure 6. Secure using
two self-tapping screws (F) on each side.
Attaching Shift Lever
• Insert the shift lever through slot in the speed
selector plate. See Figure 7.
NOTE: The bend in the lever should be towards the
operator.
Shift
Lever
Handle
Tab
Hex Nut D
Figure 5
Attaching Handle Panel
(Use Hardware C.)
• Position the handle panel between handles. Insert
two carriage bolts (E) on each side and secure with
lock washers (C) and hex nuts (D). See Figure 6.
Hex
Bolt G
Hex
Bolt G
Hex Lock Nuts H
Shift Lever
Spring
Speed Selector
Plate
Figure 7
• Secure shift lever to the shift lever spring using two
hex bolts (G) and hex lock nuts (H). Tighten both
7
bolts finger tight. At this point the shift lever and
shift lever spring are not against each other. As you
tighten the bolts and nuts with two wrenches, these
will pull together. See Figure 7.
• Tighten al l hardware assemble d to this poi nt. Make
sure that clut ch grips are moving free ly.
Attaching Control Cables
(Use Hardware E.)
• Thread hex nuts (J) onto the “Z” fittings (R). Insert
“Z” fitting into hole in clutch grips. See Figure 8.
• Route the left cable between engine and speed
selector plate and then between handle panel and
clutch lever pivot rod before threading onto the left
“Z” fitting.
• Assemble the right cable in the same manner.
• Both cables should have minimal slack, but not
tight. Tighten or loosen hex nuts on the “Z” fitting to
adjust.
“Z” Fitting R
Clutch
Grip
Pivot
Rod
Hex Nut J
Handle
Panel
Chute
Assembly
Hex Bolt K
Hex Lock Nut M
Chute Flange
Keeper
Figure 9
• Insert hex bolt (K) up through chute flange keeper
and chute assembly as shown in Figure 9. Secure
with hex lock nut (M). After assembling all three
chute flange keepers, tighten all nuts and bolts
securely. Do not over-tighten.
NOTE: Lock nuts cannot be threaded onto a bolt by
hand. Tighten with two 7/16” or adjustable wrenches.
Attaching Chute Directional Contr ol
(Use Hardware Group G.)
• Loosen the two hex nuts which secure the lower
chute directional control support bracket (see
Figure 10) to the snow thrower housing.
Figure 8
IMPORT ANT :
If the right hand lock-out cable is not
adjusted correctly, wheels will tend to turn. If the left
hand lock-out cable is not adjusted correctly, the
augers will keep on rotating.
IMPORT ANT :
Please note that the drive clutch cable on
units with 16” wheels is routed under the axle. In other
units, the cable is routed over the axle.
WARNING: Do not over-tighten the clu tch
cables. Tension on either cable in the
disengaged (up) position may override the
safety features of the machine.
Attaching Chute Assembly
(Use Hardware Group F.)
• Place chute assembly over chute opening, with the
opening in the chute assembly facing the front of
the unit.
• Place chute flange keepers beneath lip of chute
assembly, with the flat side of chute flange keeper
facing downward. See Figure 9.
Hex Bolts K
Hex Lock Nuts M
Lower
Chute
Directional
Control
Bracket
Hex Nuts
Figure 10
• Place one flat washer (T) over the end of the chute
directional control, then insert the end of the chute
directional control into the hole in the plastic
bushing on the chute bracket. See Figure 11. Place
second flat washer (T) on chute directional control,
and secure with ha irpin clip (S).
8
Flat
Washe rs T
Hairpin Clip S
Chute Directional Control
Bracket
Chute
Directional
Control
Figure 11
• Thread on e hex nut (D ) ont o th e eyeb olt on th e
chute direct ional cont rol assem bly until there is at
least two inches of threads showing between the
nut and the eyebolt head. See Figure 12 inset.
• Place the eyebolt into the hole located half way up
the left handle. See Figure 12. Secure with cupped
washer (N) and hex nut (D) making sure that the
cupped side of the washer is against the handle.
2” of thread
Cupped
Washer N
Spiral should engage
teeth of chute here
Figure 13
• Check to make sure all nuts and bolts on the control
panel and all four bolts which secure the handles to
the frame are tight.
Final Assembly & Adjustments
Auger Control
• To check the adjustment of the auger control, push
forward on the left hand clutch grip (depress the
rubber bumper). There should be slack in the cable.
Release the clutch grip. The cable should be
straight. Make certain you can depress the auger
control grip against the left handle completely.
• If necessary, loosen the hex lock nut and thread the
cable in (for less slack) or out (for more slack) as
necessary. Refer to Figure 14.
• Tighten the lock nut against the cable when correct
adjustment is reached.
Hex Nut D
Eye Bolt
Hex Nut D
Chute
Directional
Control
Figure 12
• Adjust the chute directional control bracket so that
the spiral on the chute directional control fully
engages the teeth on the chute assembly. See
Figure 14. Tighten all hardware.
“Z” Fitting
Hex Bolt
Cable
Figure 14
9
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