MTD E173 User manual

IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment.
MTD PRODUCTS INC. P.O. BOX 368022 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-9722
Single Stage
Snowthrower
Model Series
140 through E173
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
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.
FORM NO.
770-10044A.fm
(9/99)
Operator’s Manual

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Content Page
Important Safe Operation Practices .................................................................. 3
Assembling Your Snow Thrower ....................................................................... 5
Know Your Snow Thrower................................................................................. 7
Operating Your Snow Thrower .......................................................................... 8
Making Adjustments .......................................................................................... 9
Service .............................................................................................................. 10
Maintaining Your Snow Thrower ....................................................................... 11
Off-Season Storage .......................................................................................... 12
Troubleshooting ................................................................................................ 13
Parts List ........................................................................................................... 14
FINDING MODEL NUMBER
This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new snow thrower. It will help you to assemble, prepare and
maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.
Before you start assembling your new snow thrower, 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 locate the model number by standing behind the unit in the operating position and looking down at
the dash panel . 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 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 .
Copy the model number here:
Copy the serial number here:
(Model Number) (Serial Number)
MTD PRODUCTS INC
CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136
P.O. BOX 368022

3
SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES
WARNING: 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 your snow thrower. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in
personal injury. When you see this symbol, heed its warning.
DANGER: Your snow thrower 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. If you violate any of these rules, you may cause serious injury to yourself or others.
WARNING: The Engine Exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Training
• Read this operator's manual carefully in its entirety
before attempting to assemble or operate this
machine. Be completely familiar with the controls
and the proper use of this machine before
operating it. Keep this manual in a safe place for
future and regular reference and for ordering
replacement parts.
• Never allow children under 14 years old to operate
a snow thrower. Children 14 years old and over
should only operate snow thrower under close
parental supervision. Only persons well
acquainted with these rules of safe operation
should be allowed to use your snow thrower.
• No one should operate this unit while intoxicated or
while taking medication that impairs the senses or
reactions.
• Keep the area of operation clear of all persons,
especially small children and pets.
• Exercise caution to avoid slipping or falling,
especially when operating in reverse.
Preparation
• Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment
is to be used and remove all door mats, sleds,
boards, wires and other foreign objects.
• Disengage all clutches and shift into neutral before
starting engine.
• Do not operate equipment without wearing
adequate winter outer garments. Do not wear
jewelry, long scarfs or other loose clothing which
could become entangled in moving parts. Wear
footwear which will improve footing on slippery
surfaces.
• Before working with gasoline, extinguish all
cigarettes and other sources of ignition. Check the
fuel before starting the engine. Gasoline is an
extremely flammable fuel. Do not fill the gasoline
tank indoors, while the engine is running, or until
engine has been allowed to cool at least two
minutes. Replace gasoline cap securely and wipe
off any spilled gasoline before starting the engine
as it may cause a fire or explosion.
• Use a grounded three wire plug-in for all units with
electric drive motors or electric starting motors.
• Adjust collector housing height to clear gravel or
crushed rock surface.
• Never attempt to make any adjustments while
engine is running (except where specifically
recommended by manufacturer).
• Let engine and machine adjust to outdoor
temperature before starting to clear snow.
• Always wear safety glasses or eye shields during
operation or while performing an adjustment or
repair, to protect eyes from foreign objects that
may be thrown from the machine in any direction.
Operation
• Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating
parts. Keep clear of discharge opening and auger
at all times.
• Exercise extreme caution when operating on or
crossing gravel drives, walks, or roads. Stay alert
for hidden hazards or traffic.
• After striking a foreign object, stop the engine,
remove wire from spark plug, and thoroughly
inspect the snow thrower for any damage. Repair
the damage before restarting and operating the
snow thrower.
• If the snow thrower should start to vibrate
abnormally, stop the engine and check
immediately for the cause. Vibration is generally a
warning of trouble.
• Stop engine whenever you leave the operating
position, before unclogging the collector/impeller
housing or discharge guide, and making any
repairs, adjustments, or inspections. Never place
your hand in the discharge or collector openings.
Use a stick or wooden broom handle to unclog the
discharge opening.
• Take all possible precautions when leaving the unit
unattended. Disengage the collector/impeller, shift
into neutral, stop the engine, and remove the key.
• When cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make
certain collector/impeller and all moving parts have

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stopped. Disconnect spark plug wire and keep
away from plug to prevent accidental starting.
• Do not run engine indoors, except when starting
engine and transporting snow thrower in or out of
building. Open doors. Exhaust fumes are
dangerous.
• Do not clear snow across the face of slopes.
Exercise extreme caution when changing direction
on slopes. Do not attempt to clear steep slopes.
• Never operate snow thrower without guards,
plates, or other safety protection devices in place.
• Never operate snow thrower near glass enclosure,
automobiles, window wells, drop off, etc., without
proper adjustments of snow thrower discharge
angle. Keep children and pets away.
• Do not overload machine capacity by attempting to
clear snow at too fast a rate.
• Never operate the machine at high transport
speeds on slippery surfaces. Look behind and use
care when backing.
• Never direct discharge at bystanders or allow
anyone in front of unit.
• Disengage power to collector/impeller when
transporting or not in use.
• Use only attachments and accessories approved
by the manufacturer of snow thrower (such as
wheel weights, counter weights, cabs, etc.).
• Never operate the snow thrower without good
visibility or light. Always be sure of your footing and
keep a firm hold on the handles. Walk, never run.
• Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a
burn. Do not touch.
Maintenance And Storage
• Check shear bolts, engine mounting bolts, etc., at
frequent intervals for proper tightness to be sure
equipment is in safe working condition.
• Never store the machine with fuel in the fuel tank
inside a building where ignition sources are present,
such as hot water and space heaters, clothes
dryers, and the like. Allow engine to cool before
storing in any enclosure.
• Always refer to operator's manual instructions for
important details if snow thrower is to be stored for
an extended period.
• Run machine a few minutes after throwing snow to
prevent freeze up of collector/impeller.
• Check clutch controls periodically to verify they
engage and disengage properly and readjust if
necessary. Refer to operator's manual for
adjustment instructions.
Your Responsibility
Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who read, understand and follow the warnings and
instructions in this manual and on the machine. Some of the safety labels are reproduced below. Review
them and follow their instructions.

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SECTION 2: ASSEMBLING YOUR SNOW THROWER
Unpacking from carton
• Cut along corners of the carton and lay it down flat.
See Figure 1. Remove packing material.
• Remove any loose parts included with unit (i.e.,
operator’s manual, etc.).
• Roll unit out of carton. Check carton thoroughly for
any remaining loose part.
Figure 1
NOTE: This operator’s manual covers several models
of snow throwers. Use only the information that is
appropriate for your model.
Hardware pack
1. Ignition Keys (2) One key may be in the switch on
snow thrower.
Models with optional extended chute crank (Figure 2)
2. Eyebolt
3. Saddle Washer 5/16" I.D.
4. Hex Nuts 5/16-18 Thread (2)
5. Cotter Pin
Figure 2
Items required for assembly
1. Pair of pliers (not necessary, but helpful)
2. Two cycle engine oil
3. Fresh gasoline
NOTE: All references to left or right side of the snow
thrower is from the operating position only.
Raising upper handle
• Loosen the hand knob on each side of the handle.
Remove packing material, if any.
Figure 3
• Raise the upper handle in the direction shown in
Figure 3 till it clicks into the operating position.
Make sure not to pinch or crimp the cable.
• Tighten the hand knobs.
Attaching control cable
The control cable may already be attached to the
control handle. If not attached, complete the following
steps to attach it to the snow thrower housing.
• Route the control cable over the lower handle.
Insert the end of the cable into the hole in the
control housing as shown in Figure 4. Push the
plastic fitting until it locks into the control housing.
Figure 4
• Lift the control handle up, and hook the “Z” end of
the control cable into the bottom hole in the
control handle, from the outside to the inside. If
necessary, pull up on the end of the cable with a
Roll unit out
Remove loose parts
Eye Bolt
Saddle
Washer
Hex Nut
Cotter Pin
Raise
handle
to here
Hand Knob
Bottom
Hole In
Control
Handle
Control
Housing
Plastic
“Z” End
of Cable
Fitting