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Model

31AH553G401

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

FORM NO.

  770-10028B

(10/2000)

ECO No. 1281

O

PERATOR’S

 

M

ANUAL

IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

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

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.

Summary of Contents for 31AH553G401

Page 1: ...and 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 spar...

Page 2: ...t You can locate the model number by looking at the lower frame cover on 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 CALLING CUSTOMER SUPPORT If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls operation or maintenance of this...

Page 3: ...s or eye shields during operation and while performing an adjustment or repair to protect your eyes Thrown objects which ricochet can cause serious injury to the eyes 3 Do not operate without wearing adequate winter outer garments Do not wear jewelry long scarves or other loose clothing which could become entangled in moving parts Wear footwear which will improve footing on slippery surfaces 4 Use...

Page 4: ...ich are not covered in this manual use care and good judgment Contact your dealer or telephone 1 800 800 7310 for assistance and the name of your nearest servicing dealer Maintenance And Storage 1 Never tamper with safety devices Check their proper operation regularly 2 Disengage all clutch levers and stop engine Wait until the auger impeller come to a complete stop Disconnect the spark plug wire ...

Page 5: ...snow thrower s warranty Assembling Handle NOTE Reference to the left or right side of the snow thrower in this manual is observed from the operator s position IMPORTANT Make any final adjustments as instructed later on in this section before operating your snow thrower Failure to follow these instructions may cause damage to the snow thrower Remove the lower plastic wing nut cupped washer and carr...

Page 6: ...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 adjust...

Page 7: ...peat on the other side of the snow thrower Figure 8 NOTE Make certain the entire bottom surface of skid shoe is against the ground to avoid uneven wear on the skid shoes 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...

Page 8: ... traction control before changing speeds Auger Control The auger control is located on the left handle Squeeze the clutch grip to engage the augers Release to stop the snow throwing action The traction control must also be released in order to stop the auger 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 I...

Page 9: ... not a substitute for proper cold weather outerwear for hands It is recommended that the user wear adequate winter protection for hands like gloves mittens when operating this snow thrower Chute Tilt Control The distance snow is thrown can be changed by adjusting the angle of the chute assembly Move the chute tilt control forward to decrease the distance toward the rear to increase Discharge Chute...

Page 10: ... choke knob to FULL position Push primer two or three times for cold engine start Connect power cord to switch box located on top of engine Plug the other end of power cord into a three prong 120 volt grounded AC receptacle Push starter button on the switch box to crank engine As you crank the engine move choke knob to FULL choke position When engine starts release starter button and move choke gr...

Page 11: ...emature wear to drive system s friction wheel rubber To Engage Augers To engage the augers and start snow throwing squeeze the auger control against the left handle To disengage augers release both the auger control and the traction control if engaged NOTE The auger control can also be locked so that you can turn the chute directional control without interrupting snow throwing Refer to page 8 for ...

Page 12: ...ssemble the frame cover NOTE If you placed plastic film under the gas cap be certain to remove it before operating the snow thrower Shift Rod To adjust the shift rod proceed as follows Remove the hairpin clip and slide the connector up to separate the upper shift rod from the lower shift rod See Figure 12 Figure 12 Place shift lever in sixth 6 position Rotate the shift arm counterclockwise from th...

Page 13: ...nd does not require checking If disassembled for any reason lubricate with two ounces of Shell Alvania grease EPR00 part number 737 0168 Before reassembling remove old sealant and apply Loctite 5699 or equivalent IMPORTANT Do not overfill the gear case Be sure the vent plug is free of grease in order to relieve pressure See Figure 13 Drive and Shifting Mechanism At least once a season or after eve...

Page 14: ...r are subject to wear They should be checked periodically and replaced when necessary To remove skid shoes remove the four carriage bolts belleville washers and hex nuts which attach them to the snow thrower Reassemble new skid shoes with the hardware earlier removed Make certain the skid shoes are adjusted to be level To remove shave plate remove the carriage bolts belleville washers and hex nuts...

Page 15: ...l disc See Figure 20 Remove and replace belt Reassemble the parts removed earlier NOTE The support bracket must rest on the stop bolt after the new belt has been assembled See Figure 20 Figure 20 Changing Friction Wheel Rubber The rubber on the friction wheel is subject to wear and should be checked after 25 hours of operation and periodically thereafter Replace the friction wheel rubber if any si...

Page 16: ...ced plastic film under the gas cap be certain to remove it Engine Refer to the engine manual for all engine related service procedures SECTION 8 OFF SEASON STORAGE WARNING Never store engine with fuel in tank indoors or in poorly ventilated areas where fuel fumes may reach an open flame spark or pilot light as on a furnace water heater clothes dryer or other gas appliance If unit is to be stored o...

Page 17: ...spark plug wire Tighten all bolts and nuts If vibration continues have unit serviced by an authorized service dealer Unit fails to propel itself 1 Traction control cable in need of adjustment 2 Drive belt loose or damaged 1 Adjust traction control cable Refer to pages 6 and 12 2 Replace drive belt Refer to page 14 Unit fails to discharge snow 1 Discharge chute clogged 2 Foreign object lodged in au...

Page 18: ...reference only 31 45 9 51 40 46 47 53 59 29 68 69 69 27 82 70 72 72 73 27 68 71 74 27 56 64 76 77 78 79 11 15 75 81 27 57 NOTE For painted parts please refer to the list of color codes below Please add the applicable color code wherever needed to the part number to order a replacement part For instance if a part numbered 700 xxxx is painted Yard Man Green the part number to order would be 700 xxxx...

Page 19: ...31 1313C Cable Guide Chute Tilt 41 731 1320 Upper Chute 42 731 2279 Motor Cover Chute Rotation 43 736 0159 5 16 Washer 44 736 0242 Belleville Washer 45 736 0506 Special Washer 46 746 0896 Control Cable 47 746 0901 Control Cable 48 750 1232 Spacer 49 782 0599 Motor Bracket 50 784 5594 Cable Bracket 51 784 5604 Handle Chute Tilt 52 629 0936 Harness Assembly Upper 53 684 0036 Handle Eng Assembly RH 5...

Page 20: ...29 24 20 NOTE For painted parts please refer to the list of color codes below Please add the applicable color code wherever needed to the part number to order a replacement part For instance if a part numbered 700 xxxx is painted Yard Man Green the part number to order would be 700 xxxx 0665 Yard Man Green 0665 Yard Man Yellow 0674 Powder Black 0637 ...

Page 21: ...ck Nut 5 16 18 18 736 0242 Belleville Washer 20 737 0318 Grease Fitting 21 731 1379B Chute Adapter 22 712 0324 Hex Lock Nut 1 4 20 23 736 0463 Flat Washer 24 784 0399 Bearing Housing w Fitting 25 710 0703 Carriage Screw 1 4 20 x 75 26 710 0604 Hex Screw 5 16 18 27 736 0169 Lock Washer 3 8 28 712 0798 Hex Nut 3 8 16 29 741 0245 Hex Flange Bearing 30 784 5580 Skid Shoe 31 736 0242 Bell Washer 32 712...

Page 22: ...sengage safely A substitute non OEM V Belt can be dangerous by not disengaging completely NOTE For painted parts please refer to the list of color codes below Please add the applicable color code wherever needed to the part number to order a replacement part For instance if a part numbered 700 xxxx is painted Yard Man Green the part number to order would be 700 xxxx 0665 Yard Man Green 0665 Yard M...

Page 23: ... 24 24 748 0360 Adapter Pulley 25 710 0654A Hex Screw 3 8 16 x 1 0 26 629 0071 Extension Cord 27 OEM 390 987 Electric Start Kit 28 712 0324 Lock Nut 1 4 20 29 736 0173 Flat Washer 28 x 74 x 063 30 732 0705 Cable Guide Ref No Part No Part Description 2 12 4 6 7 10 9 14 11 8 16 1 3 15 5 13 3 17 Ref No Part No Part Description 1 618 0123 RH Housing 2 618 0418 LH Housing w Fitting 3 710 0642 Self Tapp...

Page 24: ...44 18 17 23 6 33 51 10 24 34 54 55 NOTE Actual position of the steering controls on the handle shown here 56 57 54 55 57 NOTE For painted parts please refer to the list of color codes below Please add the applicable color code wherever needed to the part number to order a replacement part For instance if a part numbered 700 xxxx is painted Yard Man Green the part number to order would be 700 xxxx ...

Page 25: ...0 736 0169 Lock Washer 31 736 0351 Flat Washer 32 736 0626 Flat Washer 33 737 0170 6 in 1 Lubricant 34 737 0318 Grease 35 738 0924 Carriage Screw 36 741 0598 Hex Flange Bearing 37 741 0600 Ball Bearing 38 741 1111 Hex Flange Bearing 39 746 0897 Auger Clutch Cable 40 746 0898 Drive Clutch Cable 41 746 0956 Steering Cable 42 748 0190 Spacer 43 750 1161A Support Tube Axle 44 750 1162 Spacer 45 756 06...

Page 26: ...26 MODEL 31AH553G401 ...

Page 27: ...27 Your Notes Comments Date ...

Page 28: ...y on these items b Log splitter pumps valves and cylinders have a sepa rate one year warranty c Routine maintenance items such as lubricants filters blade sharpening and tune ups or adjustments such as brake adjustments clutch adjustments or deck adjustments and normal deterioration of the exterior finish due to use or exposure d MTD does not extend any warranty for products sold or exported outsi...

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