Manual

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Operator's Manual

Power Steer Drive

28" Snow Thrower

Model

31AH553G401

MTD ,,,,,,,,

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IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment.

Warning: This unit isequipped 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. FORM NO. 770-10028A

(7/99)

Summary of content (28 pages)

PAGE 1
Operator's Manual Power Steer Drive 28" Snow Thrower Model 31AH553G401 \ MTD ,,,,,,,, i!iiiiii _iiiiiiiil i!iiiiiii_;_ 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 forestcovered, 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).
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TABLEOFCONTENTS Content Page Important Safe Operation Practices ................................................................... 3 Assembling Your Snow Thrower ....................................................................... 5 Know Your Snow Thrower ................................................................................. 7 Operating Your Snow Thrower ........................................................................... 9 Making Adjustments .................................
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SECTION1: IMPORTANT SAFEOPERATION PRACTICES This Warning 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 your snow thrower. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol, heed its warning.
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Takeallpossible precautions whenleaving theunit Useonlyattachments andaccessories approved by unattended. Disengage thecollector/impeller, shift themanufacturer ofsnowthrower(suchaswheel intoneutral, stoptheengine, andremove thekey. weights, counter weights, cabs,etc.). Whencleaning, repairing, orinspecting, make Neveroperatethesnowthrower withoutgood certaincollector/impeller andallmovingpartshave visibility orlight.Alwaysbesureofyourfootingand stopped.
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SECTION2: ASSEMBLING YOURSNOWTHROWER NOTE: Reference to right or left side of the snow thrower in this manual is from behind the unit in the • operating position. Secure the upper handle and lower handle on each side with two plastic wing nuts, cupped washers and carriage bolts removed earlier. See Figure 3. IMPORTANT: After assembling, check the adjustments as instructed on page 6 before operating your snow thrower.
PAGE 6
• FinalAdjustments Auger Drive Clutch • • • To check the adjustment of the auger drive clutch, push forward on the left hand clutch grip (depress the rubber bumper). There should be slack in the cable. See Figure 6. Release the clutch grip. The cable should be straight. Make certain you can depress the auger drive clutch 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. Recheck the adjustment.
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SECTION3: KNOWYOURSNOWTHROWER Read this owner's manual and safety rules before operating your snow thrower. Compare illustration below with your snow thrower to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference. The operation of any snow thrower can result in foreign objects being thrown into the eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses while performing any adjustments or repairs on it.
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Traction Drive/Auger ClutchLock IMPORTANT: Release the switch once the chute has The traction drive clutch is located on the right handle. Squeeze the traction drive clutch to engage the wheel drive. Release to stop. completed its rotation cycle in either direction. Failure to do so can result in damage to the electric chute motor and/or its drive gear. This same lever also locks the auger clutch to avoid interruption of the snow throwing process.
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SECTION4: OPERATING YOURSNOWTHROWER GasandOil Fill-up • Service the engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in the separate engine manual packed with your snow thrower. Read instructions carefully. with engine running or while engine is hot. WARNING: Never fill fuel tank indoors, Do not smoke when filling up a fuel tank. • • Tire Pressure • • Tires are over-inflated for shipping purposes. Reduce the tire pressure to 10-15 p.s.i, for snowthrower operation.
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IMPORTANT: Donotlosetheignitionkey.Enginewiltnot startwithoutit. • Disconnect sparkplugwirefromthesparkplugto preventaccidental startingwhileequipment is unattended. Wipeallsnowandmoisturefromthecarburetor coverintheareaofthecontrollevers.Also,move controlleversbackandforthseveraltimes.Leave throttlecontrolleverintheSTOPor OFFposition. LeavechokecontrolintheFULLchokeposition. ToEngageAugers • To engage augers and start snow throwing action, squeeze the auger clutch grip against the left handle.
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SECTION5: MAKINGADJUSTMENTS • or make anyNever adjustments engine is WARNING: attempt while to clean chute running. Place shift lever in sixth (6) position or fastest forward speed. TractionDriveClutch Refer to the Final Adjustment section of the Set-Up Instructions to adjust the traction drive clutch.
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SECTION6: MAINTAININGYOURSNOWTHROWER GeneralRecommendations • Always observe safety rules when performing any maintenance. • The warranty on this snow thrower does not cover items that have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence. To receive full value from the warranty, operator must maintain the snow thrower as instructed in this manual. • • sections of this manual should be checked at least once each season. Follow the maintenance schedule given below.
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Carburetor disconnected, make sure, while reassembling, to route the cable under the drive shaft and the axle WARNING: If any adjustments are made to the engine while the engine is running (e.g. carburetor), keep clear of all moving parts. Be careful of heated surfaces and mufflers. before reconnecting to the support bracket. IMPORTANT: Keep all grease and oil off of the rubber friction wheel and aluminum drive plate.
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Check Friction Wheel • Follow the instructions below to check the condition of the friction wheel rubber every 25 hours of operation. • • Remove the six self-tapping screws from the frame cover underneath the snow thrower. See Figure 12. • Self-Tapping //_ _,, • ScrE__ _Self.Tapping Visually inspect the friction wheel rubber for excessive wear, cracks, or loose fit on the friction wheel drive hub.
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SECTION7: SERVICING YOURSNOWTHROWER ,_ WARNING: Disconnect plug wire and ground against engine spark before performing any repairs or maintenance. Augers Carriage PlaL_ I_1 _ _-- _ Bolt Auger Housing I The augers are secured to the spiral shaft with two shear bolts and hex lock nuts. See Figure 13. If you hit a foreign object or ice jam, the snow thrower is so designed that the bolts will shear. • Shave _ --Hex.
PAGE 16
WARNING: Do not attempt to change the auger belt without the help of an assistant. It is very important that one person, standing at the operating position, firmly hold the snow thrower housing to prevent it from tipping while the other person replaces the belt. Failure to comply with this may result in injury. idler pulley J Figure 18 Hex Nut and Lock Washer Place new belts on the two auger pulleys making sure that the front auger belt is under the belt brake.
PAGE 17
• Reinstall thebeltcoveronthefrontoftheengine withthetwoself-tapping screwsandflatwashers. RefertoFigure15. NOTE:Make sure that the auger cable is routed in front • Remove six screws from the frame cover • underneath the snow thrower. Refer to Figure 12. Remove the left wheel from the axle. of the belt. Drive Belt • • • • • • • Drain the gasoline from the snow thrower, or place a piece of plastic under the gas cap.
PAGE 18
• rubber from between the friction wheel plate. Reassemble new friction wheel rubber to the NOTE: If the sprocket fell from the snow thrower while removing the hex shaft, place the sprocket on the hex shaft. Position the hex hub of the sprocket toward the friction wheel when sliding the sprocket on to the hex shaft. See Figure 23. friction wheel assembly, tightening the six screws in rotation and with equal force.
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SECTION9: TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE Trouble Possible Cause(s) Corrective Action Engine fails to start 1. Fuel tank empty, or stale fuel. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Connect spark plug wire. Refer to the engine manual. 8. Blocked fuel line. Choke not in the ON position Faulty spark plug. Safety key not in ignition switch on engine. Spark plug wire disconnected. Primer button not being used properly. Fuel shut-off valve closed. Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline.
PAGE 20
SECTION10: PARTSLISTFORMODEL553 39 1 18 lO 31 33 4O 50 41 57 43 52 2O
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Model553 Ref. No, Part No. Description Ref. No. Part No. Description 1. 05931 Bearing Housing 21. 736-0188 Flat Washer 2. 684-0065 705-5226 22. 23. 736-0242 736-0463 Belleville Washer 3. Impeller Assy. 12" dia. Chute Reinforcement 4. 710-0451 710-0459A 24. 25. 737-3007 738-0281 Grease 5. Carriage Bolt 5/16-18 x .75" Gr.2 Hex Screw 3/8-24 x 1.5"Gr.5 6. 710-0604 HexWasher Head Self-Tapping Screw 5/16-18 x.62" 26. 27. 741-0245 741-0309 Hex Flange Bearing 7.
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Model553 42 54 43 11 I 41 55 47 57 ,/ 9 14 22 14 49 I 36 48 43 14 20 23 bJl . \ Io <- 50 10 27 7 15 11 Driv routed below axle and hooked here 22 /
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Model553 R_.No, _rtNo. Description 1. 618-0043 Dogg Assembly: RH 2. 618-0044 Dogg Assembly: LH 3. 4. 618-0303B Shift Assembly: Steerable Drive 656-0012A Friction Wheel Disc Assy. 5. 684-0014B Shift Rod Assembly 6. 684-0042B Bearing 7. 684-0130 Transmission 8. 684-0131A 9. 710-0599 10. 710-0788 11. 710-1652 12. 13. 14. Ref. No Part No. Description 736-0160 736-0169 784-5740 736-0351 736-O626 737-0170 737-3007 738-0924 Flat Washer 37. 38. 39. 40. 41.
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Model553 3 14 21 23 11 20 25 23 \\ 3 21 1 13 22 5\ 16 Ref. No, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Part No. 05896A 710-0230 710-0627 710-0654A 710-0696 710-1245 8. 9. 10. 11. 710-1652 710-3005 712-0181 731-1324 732-0710 12. 736-0242 7. Description Ref. No. Idler Bracket Hex Bolt 1/4-28 x 0.5" Gr.5 Hex Screw w/Patch: 5/16-24 x 0.75" Hex Washer HeadTT Sems Screw Hex Bolt 3/8-24 x .875" Gr.8 Hex Screw w/Patch: 5/16-24 x .875" Gr.5 Hex Washer Head TT Hex Screw: 3/8-16 x 1.0" 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.
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Model553 65 ,,_53 f 31-_,-_.,_ 4.5_"_ 5--._ 9 3 5O--,,' 40-_,- ,,,_41 25 For _rence For referi only 25 9 -_m'e. .
PAGE 26
Model553 Ref. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. . 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 35. Part No. 684-0008A 710-0262 710-0449 710-0788 710-0837 Description Ref. No. Shift Arm Assembly Cardage Bolt 5/16-18 x 1.5" Cardage Bolt 5/16-18 x 2.25" TT Screw 1/4-20 x 1" 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53.
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Model553: LabelPartNumbers 777D300_ 777D@3171 / \ 27
PAGE 28
MANUFACTURER'S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR: YaRD-MaNY,f/ The limited warranty set forth below is given by MTD PRODUCTS INC ("MTD") with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the United States, its possessions and territories. MTD warrants this product against defects in material and workmanship for a period of two (2) years commencing on the date of original purchase and will, at its option, repair or replace, free of charge, any part found to be defective in material or workmanship.