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OPERATOR’S MANUAL
Models
31AE553F401
31AE573H401
IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-
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
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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. WARNING: The Engine Exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the S
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repairs, adjustments, or inspections. Never place • Never direct discharge at bystanders or allow your hand in the discharge or collector openings. anyone in front of unit. Use a stick or wooden broom handle to unclog the • Disengage power to collector/impeller when discharge opening. transporting or not in use. • Take all possible precautions when leaving the unit • Use only attachments and accessories approved unattended. Disengage the collector/impeller, shift by the manufacturer of snow thro
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SECTION 2: FINDING SNOW THROWER MODEL NUMBER This Operators Manual is an important part of your new snow thrower. It will help you assemble, prepare and maintain your snow thrower. Please read and understand what it says. Before you prepare your snow thrower for its first use, please locate the model plate and copy the information from it in this Operators Manual. The information on the model plate is very important if you need help from your dealer or the MTD Customer Support Department. • E
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SECTION 5: SET-UP INSTRUCTIONS sure all cables are aligned with cable roller NOTE: Reference to right or left side of the snow guides. See Figure 3. thrower in this manual is from behind the unit in the operating position. IMPORTANT: Check the adjustments as instructed on page 6, and make any final adjustments necessary before operating your snow thrower. Failure to follow the instructions may cause damage to the snow thrower and void warranty. 1. Remove the lower two plastic wing nuts,
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NOTE: If the connector is not properly assembled, 12. Adjust the eyebolt on the chute crank so the the shift rod will pivot and you will not be able to shift chute crank does not touch the engine. Move gears or change directions. the hex nut against the handle (if necessary). Tighten the wing nut to secure the crank in this 7. Models with two-piece chute crank only: position. Remove the hairpin clip from the end of the upper chute crank. Slide the upper chute crank 13. If not already attac
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auger drive clutch grip against the left handle on the traction drive cable and thread the cable in completely. one turn. 3. If necessary, loosen the hex lock nut and thread 9. Recheck the adjustment and repeat adjustment the cable in (for less slack) or out (for more slack) as necessary. Tighten the lock nut to secure the as necessary. Recheck the adjustment. Tighten cable when correct adjustment is reached. the lock nut against the cable when correct NOTE: If you are not sure that you hav
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SECTION 6: CONTROLS steering your snowthrower. Squeeze the right turn trigger when turning right and the left trigger when Auger turning left. Drive Clutch TRACTION DRIVE/AUGER CLUTCH Throttle LOCK Control The traction drive clutch is located on the right handle. Squeeze the traction drive clutch to engage Choke the wheel drive. Release to stop. ignition This same lever also locks the auger clutch so you Switch can turn the chute crank without interrupting the Headlight snow throwing pr
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SECTION 7: OPERATION 6. Rotate choke knob to OFF position. GAS AND OIL FILL-UP 7. Push the primer button while covering the vent Service the engine with gasoline and oil as hole. Remove finger from the primer between instructed in the separate engine manual packed primes. Do not prime to start a warm engine. with your snow thrower. Read instructions Prime two to three times at temperature above carefully. 15 degree F and four times below 15 degree F. WARNING: Never fill fuel tank indoors
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2. To avoid possible freeze-up of starter, guide the snowthrower to the left. proceed as follows. 3. Squeeze both triggers to transport the unit when Electric Starter: Connect power cord to switch the engine is not running. box on engine, then to 120 volt AC receptacle. NOTE: These controls should be used while With the engine running, push starter button and operating your snowthrower in open areas until you spin the starter for several seconds. The unusual become familiar with their ope
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SECTION 8: ADJUSTMENTS WARNING: Never attempt to clean chute necessary. See Figure 12. Tighten the jam nut to or make any adjustments while engine is secure the cable when correct adjustment is running. reached. Reassemble the frame cover. NOTE: If you placed plastic under the gas cap, be CHUTE ASSEMBLY certain to remove it. The distance snow is thrown can be adjusted by AUGER CLUTCH adjusting the angle of the chute assembly. Refer to the Control section of this manual. To adjust the au
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SECTION 9: LUBRICATION (See Figure 13) GEAR BOX WARNING: Disconnect the spark plug The worm gear box has been filled with grease at wire and ground against the engine before the factory. If disassembled for any reason, lubricate performing any lubrication or maintenance. with 1.5 ounces of Shell Alvania grease EPR00 (part number 737-0168). Before reassembling, remove WHEELS old sealant and apply Loctite 5699 or equivalent. Oil or spray lubricant into wheel bearings at least WARNING: Do
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SECTION 10: MAINTENANCE WARNING: Disconnect the spark plug wire and 2. Reassemble new skid shoes with the four ground against the engine before performing any carriage bolts, belleville washers (cupped side repairs or maintenance. goes against skid shoes) and hex nuts. Make certain the skid shoes are adjusted to be level. AUGERS 3. To remove shave plate, remove the skid shoe and the rest of hardware including carriage bolts, The augers are secured to the spiral shaft with two belleville w
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WARNING: Do not attempt to change the auger drive belt from the front auger pulley. 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 Shift auger idler pulley in injury. Belt Brake Lock Align Figure 20 Washer, studs Hex Nut 7. Place new belts on the two auger pulleys making with
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Drive Belt underneath the snow thrower. See Figure 23. 1. Drain the gasoline from the snow thrower, or place a piece of plastic under the gas cap. 2. Remove the plastic belt cover on the front of the engine by removing the two self-tapping screws. 3. Tip the snow thrower up and forward, so that it rests on the housing. 4. Remove six self-tapping screws from the frame cover underneath the snow thrower. 5. Pull the idler pulley away from the drive belt and remove the belt from the engine pull
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the friction wheel assembly and hold assembly toward the friction wheel when sliding the sprocket in position. See Figure 25. on to the hex shaft. See Figure 26. Shift Arm Sprocket Sprocket Assembly Spacer Spacer Pin Hex Shaft Hex Hub of Sprocket Friction Figure 26 Wheel 13. Align the hex shaft with the right hand bearing and carefully guide the left hand bearing into the left side of the housing. 14. Reassemble the drive cover with the four screws Figure 25 that were earlier removed.
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SECTION 12: TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE Trouble Possible Cause(s) Corrective Action Engine fails to start Fuel tank empty, or stale fuel. Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline. Fuel will not last over thirty days unless a fuel stabilizer is used. Blocked fuel line. Clean fuel line. Choke not in ON position Move switch to ON position Faulty spark plug. Clean, adjust gap or replace. Key not in switch on engine. Insert key. Spark plug wire Connect spark plug wire. disconnected. Primer button not depres
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SECTION 13: REPAIR PARTS 32 34 11 7 27 26 2 1 20 22 4 19 29 20 16 15 8 15 24 15 12 25 30 3 20 21 35 5 24 9 14 18 40 26 6 43 25 24 12 17 42 41 24 15 31 23 13 38 39 36 23 31 33 28 10 37 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: 06
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Ref. No. Part No. Code Description Ref. No. Part No. Code Description 1. 05931 Bearing Housing 22. 736-0174 Wave Washer 2. 684-0040B Auger Housing Assy. 26” 23. 736-0188 Flat Washer 684-0055A Auger Housing Assy. 30” 24. 736-0242 Belleville Washer 3. 684-0065 Impeller Assy. 12” dia. 25. 736-0463 Flat Washer 4. 705-5226 Chute Reinforcement 26. 737-3007 Grease 5. 710-0260 Carriage Bolt 5/16-18 x 27. 738-0281 Shoulder Screw .62” 28. 741-0245 Hex Flange Bearing 6. 710-0451 Carriage Bolt 5/16-18 x 2
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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 replace- 54 ment 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 57 Yard-Man Yellow:)0674 Powder Black: 0637 42 54 11 56 41 55 43 47 53 11 47 57 36 7 9 36 14 32 31 49 48 20 32 5 38 9 40 26 43 34 9 34 45 16 14 32 34 7 30 46 20 32 18 9 38 31
