Yard-Man 31AE5KLF801 Owner’s Manual

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

O P RA-rO R'S MANUAL

Two-Stage Snow Thrower

IMPORTANT

READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION

Warning: Thisunitisequippedwithaninternalcombustionengineandshouldnotbeusedon ornearanyunimprovedforest-covered,brush- coveredor grass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemisequippedwitha sparkattestermeetingapplicablelocalor statelaws(if any), If a sparkarresterisused,it shouldbemaintainedineffectiveworkingorderby the operator,IntheStateof Californiatheaboveisrequiredbylaw (Section4442oftheCaliforniaPublicResourcesCode),Otherstatesmayhavesimilarlaws,Federallawsapplyonfederallands,A sparkattester forthemufflerisavailablethroughyournearestengineauthorizedservicedealeror contacttheservicedepartment,P.O,Box361131Cleveland,

Ohio44136-0019,

ForUSCustomers: MTDLLC,P.O.BOX361131CLEVELAND,OHIO44136-0019

ForCanadianCustomers:MTD ProductsLtd.,P.O.Box1386,KITCHENER,ONTARION2G4J1

PRINTEDIN U,S,A,

772C0778

6/3/2005

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

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

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

Setting Up Your Snow Thrower .......................... 6

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

MakingAdjustments ......................................... 14

Finding and Recording Model Number

BEFOREYOU STARTASSEMBLING YOURNEW EQUIPMENT, please locatethe modelplate onthe equipmentand copythe themodel number andthe serial numberto the sample model

plate providedto the right.You can locatethe modelplate by standing atthe operatingposition and looking down atthe

frame.

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

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

Trouble Shooting .............................................. 21

Warranty ............................................................ 22

Illustrated Parts Lists ....................................... 23

Model Number Serial Number

Num6ro de mod61e Num6ro de s6rier

XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX

•,,A .... m,,,.\f CLEVELAND, OH 44136

MTD LLC

Y_IIHUIMZrIN_//MTD PRODUCTS LIMITED

........... UL KITCHENER, ON N2G 4Jl

USA-www.mtdproducts.com 1-800-800-7310 CAN-www.mtdcanada. com 1-800-668-1238

Customer Support

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

without first contacting Customer Support.

Ifyou havedifficulty assemblingthis productor haveany questionsregarding thecontrols, operationor maintenanceof this unit,

pleasecall a CustomerSupport Representative.

For US Customers: 1-330-220-4MTD (4683)or 1-800-800-7310 ForCanadian Customers: 1-800-668-1238

Pleasehaveyour unit'smodel numberand serial number readywhen you call. See previoussection to locate this information.

Youwill beaskedto enterthe serial numberin orderto processyour call.

ChuteClean-out

Tool

CS00071

STOP

A chute clean-out tool isfastened to the top of the auger housingwith a mountingclip. The

tool is designedto clear a chuteassembly of ice and snow.

Thisitemis fastenedwith a cabletie at the factory.Cut the cable tie beforeoperatingthe

snowthrower.

WARNING: Never useyour

handsto clear a clogged chute

assembly.Shut off engine and

remainbehind handles until

all movingparts havestopped

beforeusing theclean-out tool

to clear the chuteassembly.

WARNING

Thissymbol points out important safety

instructions which,

ifnotfollowed,could endangerthe per- sonalsafety and/or

propertyof yourself and others.Readand

followall instructions

inthis manual before attemptingto operate

this machine.Failure to complywith these

instructionsmay

resultin personal

injury.Whenyou see this symbol.

HEED ITS WARNING! Your Responsibility

Restrictthe use of this power machine

to persons who read,

understand and follow thewarnings

and instructions

inthis manual and onthe machine.

WARNING: Engine Exhaust,some of its constituents,andcertain vehiclecompo-

nentscontain or emit chemicals knownto Stateof Californiato causecancerand birth defectsor other reproductiveharm.

DANGER: This machinewas builtto be operatedaccordingto the rulesfor safe operation inthis manual.As with anytype of powerequipment, carelessnessor error onthe part ofthe operator can result in seriousinjury.This machine iscapable of amputatinghands andfeet andthrowing objects.

Failureto observethe followingsafety instructionscould resultin serious injury or death.

WARNING

i out importantsafety i instructionswhich,

i if notfollowed,could i endangerthe per-

sonalsafetyand/or propertyofyourself

andothers. Readand

followall instructions

inthis manual before attemptingto operate

i this machine.Failure ! to complywith these

i instructionsmay i result inpersonal

i injury.When you see I this symbol.

i HEED ITS WARNING!

;;Your Responsibility

i Restricttheuse

i of this powermachine

to personswho read,

understand andfollow the warnings

and instructions inthis manual

andon the machine.

Training

1. Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionsonthe 1. machineandin themanual(s)beforeattemptingto

assembleandoperate.Keepthis manualinasafe placefor futureandregularreferenceandfor orderingreplacement

parts. 2.

2. Befamiliarwithall controlsandtheir properoperation. Knowhowto stopthe machineanddisengagethemquickly.

3. Neverallowchildrenunder14 yearsoldto operatethis machine.Children14yearsoldandovershouldreadand understandtheoperationinstructionsand safetyrulesin 3. thismanualandshouldbetrainedandsupervisedbya parent.

4. Neverallowadultsto operatethis machinewithoutproper instruction.

5. Thrownobjectscancauseseriouspersonalinjury.Plan 4. yoursnow-throwingpatternto avoiddischargeof material

towardroads,bystandersandthe like.

6. Keepbystanders,helpers,petsandchildrenatleast 75feet 5. fromthe machinewhileit isin operation.Stopmachineif

anyoneentersthearea. 6.

7. Exercisecautiontoavoidslippingor falling,especially 7. whenoperatinginreverse.

Preparation

Thoroughlyinspectthe areawherethe equipmentisto be used.Removealldoormats,newspapers,sleds,boards,

wiresand otherforeignobjects,whichcouldbetripped over orthrownbythe auger/impeller. Alwayswearsafetyglassesor eyeshieldsduringoperation andwhile performinganadjustmentorrepairto protectyour eyes.Thrownobjectswhich ricochetcancauseserious 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.

Letengineandmachineadjustto outdoortemperature beforestartingto clearsnow.

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

a. Useonlyan approvedgasolinecontainer. b. Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars, pipesandothersources

ofignition.

c. Neverfuel machineindoors. d. Neverremovegascap oradd fuelwhilethe engineis hot

or running.

e. Allowengineto coolat leasttwo minutesbeforerefuel-

ing.

f. Neveroverfill fueltank. Filltankto nomorethanY2inch

belowbottomoffiller neckto providespacefor fuel expansion.

g. Replacegasolinecap andtightensecurely. h. Ifgasolineis spilled,wipe itoff theengineand equip-

ment.Movemachinetoanotherarea.Wait5 minutes beforestartingtheengine.

i. Neverstorethe machineorfuel containerinsidewhere

there isan openflame,sparkor pilotlight (e.g.furnace,

waterheater,spaceheater,clothesdryeretc.).

j. Allowmachinetocoolat least5 minutesbeforestoring.

Operation

1. Donot puthandsorfeetnearrotatingparts,inthe auger/impellerhousingor chuteassembly.Contactwiththe

rotatingpartscanamputatehandsandfeet.

2. The auger/impellercontrolleveris asafetydevice.Never bypassitsoperation.Doingsomakesthe machineunsafe

andmaycausepersonalinjury.

3. The controlleversmustoperateeasilyin bothdirections

andautomaticallyreturntothe disengagedpositionwhen

released.

4. Neveroperatewitha missingor damagedchuteassembly. Keepall safetydevicesin placeandworking.

5. Neverrunan engineindoorsor in a poorlyventilatedarea. Engineexhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,anodorlessand

deadlygas.

6. Donotoperatemachinewhile underthe influenceof alcohol

or drugs.

7. Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcan causeaburn.Do nottouch.

8. Exerciseextremecautionwhenoperatingonor crossing

gravelsurfaces.Stayalert for hiddenhazardsortraffic.

9. Exercisecautionwhenchangingdirectionandwhileoperat- ingon slopes.

10.Planyoursnow-throwingpatternto avoiddischargetowards windows,walls,carsetc.Thus,avoidingpossibleproperty damageor personalinjury causedbyaricochet.

11.Neverdirectdischargeatchildren,bystandersand petsor allow anyonein frontofthe machine.

12.Donotoverloadmachinecapacitybyattemptingto clear snowat toofast ofa rate.

13.Neveroperatethis machinewithoutgoodvisibility or light. Alwaysbe sure of yourfootingand keepa firmholdonthe

handles.Walk,neverrun.

14.Disengagepowerto the auger/impellerwhentransportingor

notin use.

15.Neveroperatemachineat hightransportspeedsonslippery surfaces.Lookdownandbehindand usecarewhen

backingup.

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

17.Disengageallcontrolleversandstopenginebeforeyou

leavethe operatingposition(behindthehandles).Wait untilthe auger/impellercomesto a completestop before 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,tire chains,cabsetc.).

20. If situationsoccurwhich arenotcoveredin this manual,use careand goodjudgment.Call customerassistanceforthe

nameof yournearestservicingdealer.

Maintenance & Storage

1. Nevertamperwithsafetydevices.Checktheirproper operationregularly.

2. Disengageall controlleversandstoptheengine.Waituntil theauger/impellercometo a completestop.Disconnectthe sparkplugwireand groundagainsttheengineto prevent unintendedstartingbeforecleaning,repairing,orinspecting.

3. Checkbolts and screwsforpropertightnessat 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 partswhichdo

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.to protectthe environment.

9. Priorto storing,run machinea few minutesto clearsnow frommachineand preventfreezeupof 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 a runaway engineandcauseit tooperateatunsafespeeds.Nevertamper withfactorysettingof enginegovernor.

Notice regarding Emissions Engineswhicharecertifiedto complywithCaliforniaandfederal

EPAemissionregulationsforSORE(SmallOff RoadEquipment) arecertifiedtooperateonregularunleadedgasoline,andmay includethefollowingemissioncontrolsystems:EngineModifica- tion(EM)andThreeWayCatalyst(TWC)ifso equipped.

ces

WARNING

endangerthe per- sonalsafety and/or

property of yourself and others. Readand

followall instructions in this manual before

attemptingto operate this machine. Failure

to complywith these instructionsmay

result in personal injury.When you see

Ihis symbol.

HEED IT'S WARNING!

_our Responsibility Restrictthe use

ofthis powermachine to personswho read,

understand andfollow the warnings

and instructions in this manua

and onthe machine.

NOTE:Referencesto rightorleftsideofthe

snowthroweraredeter- minedfrombehindthe

unitintheoperating position.

Figure 1

IMPORTANT:Thesnowthrowerisshippedwithoil andWITHOUTGASOLINE.Afterassembly,referto separateenginemanualfor properfuelandengineoil

recommendations.

1. Observethelowerareaof the snowthrowertobe surebothcablesarealignedwithrollerguidesbefore

pivotinghandleupward, a. Pullupand backon upperhandleas shownin

Figure1.Alignupperhandlewiththe lowerhandle,

b. Tightenhandknobssecuringupperhandleto

lowerhandle,

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

3. Placechuteassemblyontochutebaseand secure chutecontrolassemblytochutesupportbracketwith clevispinandcotterpin removedearlier.SeeFigure3.

NOTE:ThisOperator's Manualcoversseveral

models,handlepanels,

i lightsandchutecranks

aresomefeaturesthat mayvarybymodel.

Notallfeaturesrefer- encedinthismanual

areapplicabletoall snowthrowermodels.

I NOTE:Tworeplace-

mentaugershearpins

i areincludedwiththis

manual(orstowed intheplastichandle

i panel).RefertoAugers

intheMaintainance

i Sectionformore i informationregarding

shearpinreplacement.

Figure 2

Figure 3

4, Finishsecuringchutecontrolassemblytochute

supportbracketwithwingnut andhexscrewremoved earlier,SeeFigure4,

5, Checkthatall cablesareproperlyroutedthroughthe

cableguideon topoftheengine,SeeFigure5,

Theextensioncord isfastenedwitha cabletieto the rear oftheaugerhousingforshippingpurposes,Cutthecable

tieand removeit beforeoperatingthesnowthrower,

CAUTION:Priortooperatingyour

snowthrower,refertoAugerControl

Teston page13.Readandfollow all

instructionscarefully,andperform alladjustmentsto verifyyoursnow throwerisoperatingsafelyand properly.

Figure 4

Priorto operating your snowthrower,

referto Auger Control Teston page 13.

Read and follow all instructionscare-

fully and perform all adjustmentstoverify

your unit isoperating safelyand properly.

Figure 5

Shear Pin Storage

An areafor convenientshearpin storageis locatedunder theplasticdashpanel,SeeFigure6,

Figure 6

WARNING

Neveruse your hands

to clean snow and

icefrom the chute

assemblyor auger

housing.

Drift Cutters (If Equipped)

Driftcuttersshouldbeusedwhenoperatingthesnow throwerinheavydriftconditions,

• Onmodelsso equipped,driftcuttersare assembledto theaugerhousinginverted,SeeFigure7,

• Removethecarriageboltsbyunthreadingthehex nutswhichsecurethem,and reinstallthedriftcutters

facingforwardbeforeoperatingthesnowthrower. Referto Figure8,

• Securetothe augerhousingwithcarriageboltsand hexnutspreviouslyremoved,SeeFigure9,

If yourunitis notequippedwithdriftcutters,youmay contactCustomerSupportas instructedonpage2for informationregardingpriceand availability,

SnowThrowerModel DriftCutterKit: Allmodels- OEM-390-679

Figure 7

IMPORTANT

Underany circum-

stance do not exceed manufacturer'srecom-

mended psi. Equaltire pressureshouldbe

maintainedat all times.

Excessivepressure

i when seatingbeads

maycausetire/rim assemblyto burst

with forcesufficientto cause seriousinjury.

i Referto sidewallof i tire for recommended

i pressure.

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Clean-Out

Tool

Clean-Out Tool

Theclean-outtool is mountedtothe rearoftheauger housingandis designedtocleara cloggedchute.Refer topage11forinstructionson howtoproperlyuseit.

NOTE: This itemisfastenedwith acabletie tothe rear oftheaugerhousingatthe factory.Cutthecabletie

beforeoperatingthesnowthrower.

,_ WARNING:Neveruseyourhandsto

cleansnowandice fromthe chute assemblyor augerhousing.

Skid Shoes

Positiontheskid shoesbasedon surfaceconditions. Adjustupwardforhard-packedsnow.Adjustdownward

whenoperatingongravelorcrushedrocksurfaces.

Your Snow

Tire Pressure (Pneumatic Tires)

Thetiresareover-inflatedforshippingpurposes. Checkthetirepressurebeforeoperatingthesnow

thrower.Refertothetiresidewallfortiremanufacturer's recommendedpsianddeflate(or inflate)thetiresas necessary.

NOTE:If thetirepressureis notequalin bothtires,the unitmaynottravelin astraightpathandthe shaveplate maywearunevenly.

General Recommendations

Alwaysobservesafetyruleswhenperforming anymaintenance.

Thewarrantyon thissnowthrowerdoesnotcover itemsthathavebeensubjectedtooperatorabuse or negligence.To receivefullvaluefromwarranty, operatormustmaintainthe snowthroweras

instructedhere.

3. Someadjustmentswillhaveto bemadeperiodically tomaintainyourunitproperly.

4. Periodicallycheckall fastenersandmakesurethese aretight.

WA RNING

Under anycircum, stance do not exceed

manufactureCs recom:

mendedpsi.Equal tire pressureshould be

maintained at all times,

when seatingbeads

maycausetire/rim assemblytoburst

with forcesufficienttO

cause seriousinjury.

Referto sidewallOf

tire forrecommended

i I ii_ii ii i _ i i

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