Yard-Man 31AE5KLF801 User 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: Thisunitisequippedwithan internalcombustionengineandshouldnotbeusedon or nearanyunimprovedforest-covered,brush-
coveredor grass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemisequippedwitha sparkattestermeetingapplicablelocalor statelaws(if any),
If a sparkarresterisused,it shouldbemaintainedineffectiveworkingorderbytheoperator,IntheStateofCaliforniatheaboveisrequiredbylaw
(Section4442oftheCaliforniaPublicResourcesCode),Otherstatesmayhavesimilarlaws,Federallawsapplyonfederallands,A sparkattester
forthemufflerisavailablethroughyournearestengineauthorizedservicedealeror contacttheservicedepartment,P.O,Box361131Cleveland,
Ohio44136-0019,
PRINTEDIN U,S,A,
ForUSCustomers: MTDLLC,P.O.BOX361131CLEVELAND,OHIO44136-0019
ForCanadianCustomers:MTDProductsLtd.,P.O.Box1386,KITCHENER,ONTARION2G4J1 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
Maintaining Your Snow Thrower ...................... 16
Off-Season Storage .......................................... 20
Trouble Shooting .............................................. 21
Warranty ............................................................ 22
Illustrated Parts Lists ....................................... 23
Finding and Recording Model Number
BEFOREYOU STARTASSEMBLING
YOURNEW EQUIPMENT,
please locatethe modelplate onthe equipmentand copythe
themodel numberandthe serial number tothe sample model
plate providedto the right.You can locatethe modelplate by
standing atthe operatingposition and looking down atthe
frame.
Model Number Serial Number
Num6ro de mod61e Num6ro de s6rier
XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX
MTD LLC
•,,A .... m,,,.\f CLEVELAND, OH 44136
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 havedifficultyassemblingthis productor haveany questionsregardingthe controls, operationor maintenanceof this unit,
pleasecall a CustomerSupport Representative.
For US Customers: 1-330-220-4MTD (4683)or 1-800-800-7310
For Canadian Customers: 1-800-668-1238
Pleasehaveyour unit'smodelnumber and serial numberready whenyou call. See previoussection to locate this information.
Youwill beaskedto entertheserial number in orderto processyour call.
2

CS00071 STOP
ChuteClean-out
Tool
,J
A chute clean-out tool isfastenedto thetop
of theauger housingwith a mountingclip. The
tool isdesignedto clear a chuteassemblyof
ice and snow.
This item is fastenedwith a cable tie atthe
factory.Cut the cable tie beforeoperatingthe
snowthrower.
WARNING: Never useyour
handsto clear a cloggedchute
assembly.Shut off engineand
remainbehind handles until
all movingparts havestopped
beforeusing the clean-out tool
to clear the chuteassembly.
WARNING
Thissymbol points
out important safety
instructions which,
ifnotfollowed,could
endangerthe per-
sonal safety 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 the warnings
and instructions
inthis manual
and onthe machine.
3

WARNING
ioutimportantsafety
iinstructionswhich,
iifnotfollowed,could
iendangerthe per-
sonalsafetyand/or
propertyofyourself
andothers.Readand
followall instructions
inthis manual before
attemptingto operate
ithis machine.Failure
!to complywith these
iinstructionsmay
iresultinpersonal
iinjury.Whenyou see
Ithis symbol.
iHEED ITS WARNING!
;;Your Responsibility
iRestricttheuse
i ofthis powermachine
to personswho read,
understand
andfollow thewarnings
and instructions
inthis manual
andonthe machine.
WARNING: EngineExhaust,some of itsconstituents,andcertain vehiclecompo-
nentscontain or emit chemicals knownto Stateof Californiato cause cancerand
birth defectsor other reproductiveharm.
DANGER: This machinewas builtto be operatedaccordingto the rulesfor safe operation in this
manual.As with anytypeof powerequipment,carelessnessor error onthe part ofthe operatorcan
result in serious injury.This machine iscapable of amputatinghands andfeet andthrowing objects.
Failureto observethe followingsafetyinstructionscould resultin serious injuryor death.
Training
1. Read,understand,andfollowall instructionsonthe 1.
machineandin themanual(s)beforeattemptingto
assembleandoperate.Keepthismanualina safe placefor
futureandregularreferenceandfor orderingreplacement
parts. 2.
2. Befamiliarwithall controlsandtheirproperoperation.
Knowhowto stopthe machineanddisengagethemquickly.
3. Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsoldto operatethis
machine.Children14yearsoldandovershouldreadand
understandtheoperationinstructionsandsafetyrulesin 3.
thismanualandshouldbetrainedand supervisedbya
parent.
4. Neverallowadultsto operatethis machinewithoutproper
instruction.
5. Thrownobjectscancauseseriouspersonalinjury.Plan 4.
yoursnow-throwingpatternto avoiddischargeof material
towardroads,bystandersandthe like.
6. Keepbystanders,helpers,petsandchildrenatleast75feet 5.
fromthe machinewhileit isin operation.Stopmachineif
anyoneentersthe area. 6.
7. Exercisecautiontoavoidslippingor falling,especially 7.
whenoperatingin reverse.
8,
9.
Preparation
Thoroughlyinspectthe areawherethe equipmentisto be
used.Removealldoormats,newspapers,sleds,boards,
wiresandotherforeignobjects,whichcouldbetripped over
orthrownbythe auger/impeller.
Alwayswearsafetyglassesor eyeshieldsduringoperation
andwhile performinganadjustmentorrepairto protectyour
eyes.Thrownobjectswhich ricochetcancause serious
injurytothe eyes.
Do notoperatewithoutwearingadequatewinterouter
garments.Do notwearjewelry,longscarvesorother
looseclothing,whichcould becomeentangledin moving
parts.Wearfootwearwhich willimprovefootingonslippery
surfaces.
Useagroundedthree-wireextensioncordand receptacle
forall unitswithelectric startengines.
Adjustcollectorhousingheighttocleargravelorcrushed
rocksurfaces.
Disengageallcontrolleversbeforestartingthe engine.
Neverattemptto makeanyadjustmentswhileengineis
running,exceptwherespecificallyrecommendedinthe
operator'smanual.
Letengineandmachineadjusttooutdoortemperature
beforestartingtoclearsnow.
Toavoidpersonalinjuryor propertydamageuseextreme
careinhandlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammable
andthe vaporsare explosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycan
occurwhengasolineis spilledonyourselforyourclothes,
whichcanignite.Washyourskinand changeclothes
immediately.
a. Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.
b. Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersources
ofignition.
c. Neverfuel machineindoors.
d. Neverremovegascap oradd fuelwhilethe engineis hot
or running.
e. Allowengineto coolat leasttwo minutesbeforerefuel-
ing.
f. Neveroverfillfueltank. Filltankto nomorethanY2inch
belowbottomoffiller neckto providespacefor fuel
expansion.
g. Replacegasolinecap andtightensecurely.
h. If gasolineis spilled,wipe itoff theengineand equip-
ment.Movemachinetoanotherarea.Wait5minutes
beforestartingtheengine.
i. Neverstorethe machineorfuel containerinsidewhere
there isan openflame,sparkor pilotlight(e.g.furnace,
waterheater,spaceheater,clothesdryeretc.).
j. Allowmachinetocoolat least5 minutesbeforestoring.
4

Operation
1. Donot puthandsorfeet nearrotatingparts,inthe
auger/impellerhousingor chuteassembly.Contactwiththe
rotatingpartscanamputatehandsandfeet.
2. The auger/impellercontrolleveris asafetydevice.Never
bypassitsoperation.Doingsomakesthe machineunsafe
andmaycausepersonalinjury.
3. The controlleversmustoperateeasilyin bothdirections
and automaticallyreturntothe disengagedpositionwhen
released.
4. Neveroperatewitha missingor damagedchuteassembly.
Keepall safetydevicesin placeandworking.
5. Neverrunan engineindoorsor in a poorlyventilatedarea.
Engineexhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,anodorlessand
deadlygas.
6. Donotoperatemachinewhile underthe influenceofalcohol
or drugs.
7. Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcan causeaburn.Do
nottouch.
8. Exerciseextremecautionwhenoperatingonor crossing
gravelsurfaces.Stayalertforhiddenhazardsortraffic.
9. Exercisecautionwhenchangingdirectionandwhileoperat-
ingonslopes.
10.Planyoursnow-throwingpatternto avoiddischargetowards
windows,walls,carsetc.Thus,avoidingpossibleproperty
damageor personalinjury causedby aricochet.
11.Neverdirectdischargeatchildren,bystandersand petsor
allow anyonein frontofthe machine.
12.Donotoverloadmachinecapacity byattemptingto clear
snowattoofast ofarate.
13.Neveroperatethis machinewithoutgoodvisibilityor light.
Alwaysbesureofyourfootingand keepa firm holdonthe
handles.Walk,neverrun.
14.Disengagepowerto the auger/impellerwhentransportingor
notin use.
15.Neveroperatemachineat hightransportspeedsonslippery
surfaces.Lookdownandbehindandusecarewhen
backingup.
16.Ifthe machineshouldstartto vibrateabnormally,stopthe
engine,disconnectthe sparkplugwireandgroundit against
the engine.Inspectthoroughlyfordamage.Repairany
damagebeforestartingandoperating.
17.Disengageallcontrolleversandstopenginebeforeyou
leavethe operatingposition(behindthe handles).Wait
untilthe auger/impellercomestoa completestop before
uncloggingthe chuteassembly,makinganyadjustments,or
inspections.
18.Neverputyourhandin thedischargeor collectoropenings.
Alwaysusethe clean-outtoolprovidedtounclogthe dis-
chargeopening.Donot unclogchuteassemblywhileengine
isrunning.Shutoffengineandremainbehindhandlesuntil
all movingpartshavestoppedbeforeunclogging.
19.Useonlyattachmentsandaccessoriesapprovedbythe
manufacturer(e.g.wheelweights,tire chains,cabsetc.).
20. If situationsoccurwhich arenotcoveredin thismanual,use
careandgoodjudgment.Callcustomerassistancefor the
nameof yournearestservicingdealer.
Maintenance & Storage
1. Nevertamperwithsafetydevices.Checktheirproper
operationregularly.
2. Disengageall controlleversandstoptheengine.Waituntil
theauger/impellercometo acompletestop.Disconnectthe
sparkplugwireand groundagainstthe engineto prevent
unintendedstartingbeforecleaning,repairing,orinspecting.
3. Checkboltsand screwsfor propertightnessatfrequent
intervalsto keepthe machinein safeworkingcondition.
Also,visuallyinspectmachineforanydamage.
4. Do notchangethe enginegovernorsettingor over-speed
theengine.Thegovernorcontrolsthemaximumsafe
operatingspeedoftheengine.
5. Snowthrowershaveplatesandskidshoesaresubjectto
wearanddamage.Foryoursafetyprotection,frequently
checkallcomponentsand replacewith originalequipment
manufacturer's(OEM)partsonly."Useof partswhichdo
notmeetthe originalequipmentspecificationsmayleadto
improperperformanceandcompromisesafety!"
6. Checkcontrolsperiodicallytoverify theyengageand
disengageproperlyandadjust,if necessary.Referto the
adjustmentsectioninthisoperator'smanualfor instructions.
7. Maintainor replacesafetyandinstructionlabels,as neces-
sary.
8. Observeproperdisposallawsandregulationsforgas,oil,
etc.toprotectthe environment.
9. Priorto storing,runmachineafewminutestoclearsnow
frommachineandpreventfreezeupof auger/impeller.
10.Neverstorethe machineorfuel containerinsidewhere
thereisan openflame,sparkor pilotlightsuchas a water
heater,furnace,clothesdryeretc.
11.Alwaysreferto theoperator'smanualforproperinstructions
onoff-seasonstorage.
Do not modify engine
Toavoidseriousinjuryordeath,donot modifyengineinany
way.Tamperingwiththegovernorsettingcan leadto arunaway
engineandcauseit tooperateatunsafespeeds.Nevertamper
withfactorysettingofenginegovernor.
Notice regarding Emissions
Engineswhicharecertifiedto complywithCaliforniaandfederal
EPAemissionregulationsfor SORE(SmallOff RoadEquipment)
arecertifiedtooperateonregularunleadedgasoline,andmay
includethefollowingemissioncontrolsystems:EngineModifica-
tion(EM)andThreeWayCatalyst(TWC)ifsoequipped.
ces
WARNING
endangerthe per-
sonal safety 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.Whenyou 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.
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 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
IMPORTANT:Thesnowthrowerisshippedwithoil
andWITHOUTGASOLINE.Afterassembly,referto
separateenginemanualforproperfuelandengineoil
recommendations.
1. Observethelowerareaofthesnowthrowertobe
surebothcablesarealignedwithrollerguidesbefore
pivotinghandleupward,
a. Pullupand backon upperhandleasshownin
Figure1.Alignupperhandlewiththelowerhandle,
b. Tightenhandknobssecuringupperhandleto
lowerhandle,
2. Removewingnutand hexscrewfromchutecontrol
assemblyandclevispinandcotterpinfromchute
supportbracket.SeeFigure2. Positionthechute
assembly(forward-facing)overthechutebase.
3. Placechuteassemblyontochutebaseand secure
chutecontrolassemblytochutesupportbracketwith
clevispinandcotterpin removedearlier.SeeFigure3.
6

4, Finishsecuringchutecontrolassemblytochute
supportbracketwithwingnutandhexscrewremoved
earlier,SeeFigure4,
5, Checkthatall cablesareproperlyroutedthroughthe
cableguideon topoftheengine,SeeFigure5,
Theextensioncordisfastenedwitha cabletietothe rear
oftheaugerhousingforshippingpurposes,Cutthecable
tieand removeit beforeoperatingthesnowthrower,
CAUTION:Priortooperatingyour
snowthrower,refertoAugerControl
Teston page13.Readandfollow all
instructionscarefully,andperform
alladjustmentstoverifyyoursnow
throwerisoperatingsafelyand
properly.
Shear Pin Storage
An areaforconvenientshearpin storageis locatedunder
theplasticdashpanel,SeeFigure6,
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
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.
7

i
WARNING
Neveruseyour hands
to clean snow and
icefromthe chute
assemblyor auger
housing.
IMPORTANT
Underany circum-
stance do notexceed
manufacturer'srecom-
mended psi. Equaltire
pressureshouldbe
maintainedat alltimes.
Excessivepressure
i whenseatingbeads
may cause tire/rim
assemblyto burst
with forcesufficientto
cause seriousinjury.
i Referto sidewallof
i tirefor recommended
i pressure.
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
8
Drift Cutters (If Equipped)
Driftcuttersshouldbeusedwhenoperatingthesnow
throwerinheavydriftconditions,
• Onmodelssoequipped,driftcuttersare assembledto
theaugerhousinginverted,SeeFigure7,
• Removethecarriageboltsbyunthreadingthehex
nutswhichsecurethem,and reinstallthedriftcutters
facingforwardbeforeoperatingthesnowthrower.
Referto Figure8,
• Securetotheaugerhousingwithcarriageboltsand
hexnutspreviouslyremoved,SeeFigure9,
If yourunitisnotequippedwithdriftcutters,youmay
contactCustomerSupportas instructedonpage2for
informationregardingpriceand availability,
SnowThrowerModel DriftCutterKit:
Allmodels- OEM-390-679

Clean-Out
Tool
Figure 10
Clean-Out Tool
Theclean-outtoolismountedtotherearoftheauger
housingandisdesignedtocleara cloggedchute.Refer
topage11forinstructionson howtoproperlyuseit.
NOTE: This itemisfastenedwith acabletie totherear
oftheaugerhousingatthefactory.Cutthecabletie
beforeoperatingthesnowthrower.
,_ WARNING:Neveruseyourhandsto
cleansnowandice fromthechute
assemblyor augerhousing.
Skid Shoes
Positiontheskid shoesbasedon surfaceconditions.
Adjustupwardforhard-packedsnow.Adjustdownward
whenoperatingongravelorcrushedrocksurfaces.
Tire Pressure (Pneumatic Tires)
Thetiresareover-inflatedforshippingpurposes.
Checkthetirepressurebeforeoperatingthesnow
thrower.Refertothetiresidewallfortiremanufacturer's
recommendedpsianddeflate(or inflate)thetiresas
necessary.
NOTE:If thetirepressureisnotequalin bothtires,the
unitmaynottravelin a straightpathandtheshaveplate
maywearunevenly.
General Recommendations
,
2,
Alwaysobservesafetyruleswhenperforming
anymaintenance.
Thewarrantyon thissnowthrowerdoesnotcover
itemsthathavebeensubjectedtooperatorabuse
or negligence.Toreceivefullvaluefromwarranty,
operatormustmaintainthe snowthroweras
instructedhere.
3. Someadjustmentswillhaveto bemadeperiodically
tomaintainyourunitproperly.
4. Periodicallycheckall fastenersand makesurethese
aretight.
9
g
Your Snow
WA RNING
Under anycircum,
stance do not exceed
manufactureCs recom:
mendedpsi.Equal tire
pressureshould be
maintained at alltimes,
when seatingbeads
maycausetire/rim
assemblytoburst
with forcesufficienttO
cause seriousinjury.
Referto sidewallOf
tire for recommended
i I ii_ii ii i _ i i

WARNING
Read, understand,
andfollow all instruc-
Lionsand warnings
onthe machineand
in this manual before
operating.
Useextreme care
when handling
gasoline.Gasoline is
extremelyflammable
andthe vapors are
explosive.Neverfuel
the machineindoors
or while the engine
is hotor running.
Extinguishcigarettes,
cigars,pipes and
other sourcesof
ignition.
f
Know Your Snow Thrower
HeatedHandles
Switch(en option)l-
Drive Control .ShiftLever
Four-Way
ChuteControFM
JgerControl
Headlig
ElectricStart
WheelSteering
Control
GasCa
Oil
1 If Equipped
Clean-Out
tool
Ignition
Key
Choke
Control
Throttle
Control
EngineControls
RecoilStarter
Handle
ElectricStarter Outlet
Primer
J
Figure 11
Nowthatyouhavesetup yoursnowthrowerforopera-
tion,getacquaintedwithits controlsandfeatures.These
aredescribedbelowandillustratedin Figure11.This
knowledgewillallowyoutouseyournewequipmentto
itsfullestpotential.
NOTE: Fordetailedstartinginstructionsandmore
informationonall enginecontrols,refertotheseparate
enginemanualpackedwithyourunit.
Shift Lever
Theshiftleverislocatedon therightside
ofthehandlepanel.Placetheshiftlever
intoanyofeightpositionstocontrolthe
directionof travelandgroundspeed.
Forward
Yoursnowthrowerhassixforward(F)
speeds,withpositionnumberone (1)
beingtheslowestspeed.
Reverse
Yoursnowthrowerhastwo reverse(R)
speeds,withpositionnumberone (1)
beingtheslowerspeed.
6
5
4
3
t2
F1
R1
R2
Choke Control I111
Thechokecontrolisfoundontherearoftheengineand
isactivatedbyrotatingtheknobclockwise.Activatingthe
chokecontrolclosesthechokeplateon thecarburetor
andaidsinstartingtheengine.
Throttle Control
Thethrottlecontrolis locatedon theengine.
It regulatesthespeedoftheengineand
willshutoff theenginewhenpusheddown
completely.
Primer
Depressingtheprimerforcesfueldirectly
intotheengine'scarburetortoaidin cold-
weatherstarting.
Oil Fill
Engineoil levelcanbecheckedandoil
addedthroughtheoil fill. q;::b,
@
10