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.

2

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

,J

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.

3

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.

8,

Letengineandmachineadjustto outdoortemperature
beforestartingto clearsnow.

9.

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.

4

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.

5

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

6

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

7

i

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

8

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.

g

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.

2,

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

9