Yard-Man 31AE633E401, 31AE663H401 Operator's Manual
Operator’s Manual
Snow T hrower
Models
31AE633E401
31AE663H401
IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment.
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.
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
ECO No. 1481
This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-
MTD PRODUCTS INC. P.O. BOX 368022 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-9722
FORM NO.
770-10020B.fm
(6/2000)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Content Page
Important Safe Operation Practices...................................................................3
Assembling Your Snow Thrower .......................................................................5
Know Your Snow Thrower.................................................................................9
Operating Your Snow Thrower ..........................................................................10
Making Adjustments ..........................................................................................12
Maintaining Your Snow Thrower........................................................................13
Service ..............................................................................................................14
Troubleshooting.................................................................................................17
Parts List............................................................................................................18
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 locat e the model numb er by l ookin g at the l ower fr ame co ver in the rear of your snow
thrower. 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)
(Serial Number)
MTD PRODUCTS INC
CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136
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 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 .
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 be come hot and c an cause a burn. D o
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 machin e without good visib ility or light.
Always be sure of your footi ng and k eep a firm hold on
the handles. Walk, n ever run.
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 shoul d start to vibrate abn ormally, 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 safety devices. Check their proper
operation regularly.
2. Disengage all cl utch lev ers and stop engi ne. Wait u ntil
the auger/impelle r come to a complet e stop. D isconn ect
the spark plug wi re and grou nd again st the en gine to
prevent unintended starting before cl eaning, repairi ng, or
inspecting.
3. Check bolts, and sc rews for pro per tig htness at frequent
intervals to keep t he ma chine in safe worki ng condi tion.
Also, visually inspe ct mach ine for an y damag e.
4. Do not change the engi ne governor settin g or over-speed
the engine. The g overnor c ontrols the m aximum s afe
operating speed o f the eng ine.
5. Snow thrower shave plates an d skid shoes are subj ect to
wear and damage. F or your s afety protecti on, freque ntly
check all compon ents and replace with origin al
equipment manufac turer’s (O .E.M.) parts only. “Use of
parts which do not m eet the ori ginal eq uipment
specifications may lea d to imp roper perfor mance an d
compromise safety!”
6. Check clutch co ntrols period ically to verify they engage
and disengage prope rly and adjust, if ne cessary. Refer to
the adjustment s ection i n this op erator’s man ual for
instructions.
7. Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as
necessary.
8. Observe proper disposal l aws and regulations for ga s, oil,
etc. to protect the environmen t.
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 c ontainer i nside whe re
there is an open flame, spark or pilot light such as a wate r
heater, furnace ,cloth es dryer etc .
11. Always refer to the operator’s ma nual for p roper
instructions on off-season storage.
Your Responsibility:
Restrict the use of this p ower ma chine to persons wh o read,
understand and fo llow the w arnings and ins tructions in this
manual and on t he mach ine. The s afety la bels ar e given
below for your refer ence.
4
SECTION 2: ASSEMBLING YOUR SNOW THROWER
Unpacking
• Remove screws from the top sides and ends of the
shipping crate.
• Set panel aside to avoid tire punctures or personal
injury.
• Remove and discard plastic bag that covers unit.
• Roll unit out of crate.
• Check crate thoroughly for loose parts before
discarding.
Loose Parts
• The snow throw er is ship ped wi th fo llowi ng lo ose
parts in the carton. See Figure 1 for illustration,
description of item and part number. Please
remove all loose parts from the carton before
discarding it.
Shear Bolts
(710-0890A)
Hex Lock Nuts
(712-0429)
Figure 1
• Please note that these are replacement hardware
and not meant for initial assembly of the equipment.
If the snow thrower hits a foreign object or ice jam,
the bolts, securing the auger shaft, may shear. Use
these two shea r bolts and nuts as repl aceme nt
then. Store these in a safe place until needed.
NOTE: On model 633E, remove the lower wing nut and
hardware from the right side of the handle only. The
wing nut for the left side is in place on the chute
directional control.
Raise handle this way
2
Remove these
hardware
1
Figure 2
• One end of the chute directional control may be
attached to the lower handle with cable ties for
shipping purposes. If so, cut the cable ties and free
the loose end of the chute directional control.
• Raise the upper handle assembly in the direction
shown in Figure 2. Make sure that the upper handle
locks into position over the lower handle.
Carriage
Bolt
Tighten these
wing nuts
Upper
Handle
IMPORT ANT :
standard hex bolts. Any damage to the auger gearbox
or other components from standard hex bolts will not be
covered by your snow thrower’s warranty.
NEVER replace the auger shear bolts with
Assembling Handle
NOTE: Reference to the le ft or right side of the sno w
thrower in this manual is obser ved from the operator’s
position.
IMPORT ANT :
later on in this section before operating your snow
thrower. Failure to follow the instructions may cause
damage to the snowthrower.
• Remove the lower plastic wing nut, cupped washer
and carriage bolt from each side of the lower
handle. See Figure 2.
Make any final adjustments as instructed
Wing
Nut
Cupped
Washer
Lower
Handle
Figure 3
• Look at low er rear of snow throw er frame t o be sure
all cables are aligned with cable roller guides.
5
• Secure the upper handle and lower handle with the
two plastic wing nuts, cupped washers and carriage
bolts previously removed. Attach these hardware
on the lower hole in the handles. See Figure 3.
NOTE: On model 633E, attach the wing nut, cupped
washer and carriage bolt in the l ower hole on the right
side only. The hardware in the left lower hole will be
attached later.
• Tighten th e two win g nuts alre ady in plac e on the
upper holes and secure the handles firmly. See
Figure 3.
• Slide the shift rod connector down over the end of
the lower shift rod. See Figure 4. Tap the connector
until it locks on the lower shift rod.
NOTE: If the conn ector is not prop erly assembled , the
shift rod will pivot and y ou will not be able to change
direction or speed of the snow thrower.
• Unwrap the headlight wire which is attached to the
headlight beneath the handle panel. Wind the
headlight wire around the right side of the lower
handle until excess slack is removed. See Figure 6.
• Plug the wire from the headlight into the alternator
lead coming from the right side of the engine,
underneath the fuel tank. See Figure 6 inset.
Lower Handle
Alternator
Lead
Lamp
Wire
Figure 6
Attaching Chute Dir ectional Contro l
Connector
Lower
Shift Rod
Note: Cut-out view of lower handle shown for clarity.
Upper Shift
Rod
Figure 4
• If not already attached, slip the cables that run from
the handle panel to the chute into the cable guide
located on top of the engine. See Figure 5.
Cable Guide
Model E633E
• Remove the wing nut and cupped washer from the
eyebolt on the chute directional control. Leave the
hex nut in place on the eyebolt (the nut must be
threaded at least halfway onto the eyebolt).
• Insert the eyebolt through the lower hole on the left
side of handle. Secure with cupped washer
(cupped side against the handle panel) and wing
nut. See Figure 7. Do not tighten at this time.
Wing
Nut
Cupped
Washer
Eye Bolt
Figure 5
Figure 7
• Adjust the chute directional control support bracket
so that the spiral on the chute directional control
fully engages the teeth on the chute assembly.
• Tighten wing nut with eye bolt to secure chute
directional control.
6
If the spiral on the chute directional control cannnot be
adjusted properly, follow the steps below:
• Loosen the two hex nuts which secure the chute
directional control support bracket (see Figure 8) to
the snow thrower housing, beside the discharge
chute.
Carriage Bolts
Hex Lock Nuts
Chute Directional
Control
Support Bracket
Figure 8
• Remove the hairpin clip and one flat washer from
the lower end of the chute directional control. Leave
the other flat washer in place on the end of the rod.
of the chute directional control, and insert the
hairpin clip again. See Figure 10.
Hairpin Clip
Chute Directional
Control
Figure 10
Final Adjustments
Hairpin Clip
Flat Washer
Lower Chute
Crank Bracket
Plastic Bushing
Chute Crank
Flat Washer
Figure 9
• Insert the lower end of the chute directional control
into the hole in the plastic bushing in the chute
directional control support bracket. See Figure 8.
• Place the other flat washer onto the end of the
chute directional control, and secure with hairpin
clip. See Figure 9.
• Tighten the nuts on the chute directional control
support bracke t securely.
• Adjust the eyebolt on the chute directional control
so the chute directional control does not touch the
engine.
• Move the hex nut against the handle (if necessary).
• Tighten wing nut with eye bolt to secure chute
directional control.
Model 663H
For packaging purposes, the two-piece chute
directional control was attached to the snow thrower on
the two ends, but was kept loose at the middle.
Assemble as follows:
• Remove the hairpi n clip from the chute d irec tional
control. Align holes on the upper and lower pieces
Chute Directional Control Support Bracket
To adjust the chute directional control support bracket,
refer to Figure 8 and accompanying instructions.
Traction Control and Shift Lever
To check the adjustment of the traction control and shift
lever, proceed as follows:
• Move the shift lever into sixth (6) position.
• With traction control released, gently push the
snow thrower forward, then pull it back. The
machine should move freely.
• Engage traction control, and try to move the
machine both forward and back. You should
experience resistance.
• Move the shift lever into the fast reverse (R2)
position and repeat the previous two steps.
If you experienced resistance either when repositioning
the shift lever from 6 to R2 or when attempting to move
the machine with the traction control released, you
should NOT operate the snow thrower before adjusting
the traction control. To adjust, proceed as follows:
• Loosen the jam nut on the traction control cable
and UNTHREAD the cable one full turn.
• Recheck a djust ment .
• Retighten the jam nut to secure the cable when
correct adjustment is reached.
NOTE: For more details, refer to Traction Control
Adjustment on page 12.
Auger Control
Check the adjustment of the auger control as follows:
• Push down on the auger control until the small
rubber bumper contacts the upper handle. There
should be slack in the auger control cable.
7
• Release the auger control. The cable should be
straight. Make certain you can depress the auger
control against the left handle completely.
• If adjustment is necessary, proceed as follows:
• Loosen the jam nut and thread the cable in (for less
slack) or out (for more slack) as necessary. See
Figure 11.
“Z” End
• Raise or lower the skid shoe to desired position.
NOTE: Make certain the entire b ottom surface of skid
shoe is against the ground to avoid uneven wear on the
skid shoes.
• Retighten the hex nuts loosened earlier.
• Repeat on the other side of the snow thrower.
Jam Nut
Auger Control Cable
Figure 11
• Recheck adjustment; readjust as necessary and
tighten the jam nut.
Skid Shoe
The space between the shave plate and the ground can
be adjusted by repositioning the skid shoes found on
either side of the snow throwers auger housing. For
close snow removal, place skid shoes in the low
position. Use middle or high position when area to be
cleared is uneven. See Figure 12. When operating on
gravel, always put skid shoes in the high position.
Adjust skid shoes as follows:
• Loosen, but do not remove, the two hex nuts which
fasten the skid shoe to the auger housing.
Skid
Shoes
Hex Nuts
Figure 12
Tire Pressure (Pneumatic Tires)
The tires are overinflated for shipping purposes.
• Check tire pressure. Maintain pressure between 15
to 20 psi. Refer to tire sidewalls for recommended
tire pressure.
NOTE: If the tire pressure is not equal in both tires, the
unit may pull to one side or the other.
WARNING: Maximum tire pressure under
any circumstance is 30 psi. Equal tire pressure
should be main tained at all times. Exc essive
pressure (over 30 psi) when seating beads
may cause tire/rim assembly to burst with
force sufficient to cause serious injury.
8
SECTION 3: KNOW YOUR SNOW THROWER
WARNING: Be famili ar with all the cont rols and their proper operat ion. Know how to sto p the machine
and disengage them quickly.
Traction Drive / Auger
Control Lock
Gas T ank
Discharge
Chute
Auger
Skid Shoe
Shift
Lever
Chute Tilt
Control
Chute Directional
Control
Choke
Ignition
Key
Auger Drive Cl utch
Throttle
Control
Primer
Rope
Starter
Handle
Closed
Open
Metal Loop
Rubber
Boot
Figure 13
Traction Control
The traction control is located on the right handle.
Squeeze the traction control to engage the wheel drive.
Release to stop.
Auger Control Lock
The traction control lever also locks the auger control
so you can turn the chute directional control without
interrupting snow throwing. If the auger control lock is
engaged along with the traction control, you can
release the auger drive clutch on the left handle and still
keep the augers engaged. When the auger control lock
is released, you can release the traction control to stop
both the augers and the wheel drive.
IMPORT ANT :
Always release traction control before
changing speeds.
Auger Drive
The auger drive clutch is located on the left handle.
Squeeze the clutch grip to engage the augers. Release
to stop the snow throwing action. (Traction drive clutch
must also be rel eased .)
Shift Lever
The shift lever is located in the center of the handle
panel and is used to determine both ground speed and
direction of travel. It can be moved into any of eight
positions. Always release traction control before
changing speeds.
Forward: Your snow thrower has six forward (F)
speeds. Position number one (1) is the slowest.
Position number six (6) is the fastest.
Reverse: Your snow thrower has two reverse (R)
speeds. R1 is the slower, while R2 is faster.
Chute Directional Control
The chute directional control is located on left side of
the snow thrower.To change the direction in which
snow is thrown, turn chute directional control as follows:
• Crank clockwise to discharge to the left.
• Crank counterclockwise to discharge to the right.
9
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