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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 FORM NO. 770-10028A PRINTED IN U.S.A.
(Model Number) (Serial Number) MTD PRODUCTS INC CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136 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.
SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION 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.
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• 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 stopped. Disconnect spark plug wire and keep away from plug to prevent accidental starting.
SECTION 2: ASSEMBLING YOUR SNOW THROWER NOTE: Reference to right or left side of the snow thrower in this manual is from behind the unit in the operating position. After assembling, check the adjustments IMPORTANT: as instructed on page 6 before operating your snow thrower.
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Final Adjustments 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.
SECTION 3: KNOW YOUR SNOW THROWER Read this owner’s manual and safety rules before operating your snow thrower. Compare WEAR YOUR illustration below with your snow thrower to familiarize yourself with the location of various SAFETY GLASSES 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, FORESIGHT IS BETTER which can result in severe eye damage.
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Traction Drive/Auger Clutch Lock The traction drive clutch is located on the right handle. Squeeze the traction drive clutch to engage the wheel drive. Release to stop. This same lever also locks the auger clutch to avoid interruption of the snow throwing process. If the auger drive clutch is engaged with the traction drive clutch engaged, the operator can release the auger drive clutch (on the left handle) and the augers will remain...
SECTION 4: OPERATING YOUR SNOW THROWER Gas and Oil Fill-up Service the engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in the separate engine manual packed with your snow thrower. Read instructions carefully. WARNING: Never fill fuel tank indoors, with engine running or while engine is hot. Do not smoke when filling up a fuel tank.
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Do not lose the ignition key. Engine will not IMPORTANT: start without it. • Disconnect spark plug wire from the spark plug to prevent accidental starting while equipment is unattended. • Wipe all snow and moisture from the carburetor cover in the area of the control levers. Also, move control levers back and forth several times.
SECTION 5: MAKING ADJUSTMENTS WARNING: Never attempt to clean chute or make any adjustments while engine is running. Traction Drive Clutch Refer to the Final Adjustment section of the Set-Up Instructions to adjust the traction drive clutch. To check the adjustment, proceed as follows: •...
SECTION 6: MAINTAINING YOUR SNOW THROWER General Recommendations • 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.
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Carburetor 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. Minor carburetor adjustments may be required to compensate for differences in fuel temperature, altitude and load.
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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 Screw Figure 12 •...
SECTION 7: SERVICING YOUR SNOW THROWER WARNING: Disconnect spark plug wire and ground against engine before performing any repairs or maintenance. Augers 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.
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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.
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• Reinstall the belt cover on the front of the engine with the two self-tapping screws and flat washers. Refer to Figure 15. NOTE: Make sure that the auger cable is routed in front of the belt. Drive Belt • Drain the gasoline from the snow thrower, or place a piece of plastic under the gas cap.
rubber from between the friction wheel plate. • Reassemble new friction wheel rubber to the friction wheel assembly, tightening the six screws in rotation and with equal force. It is important to assemble the rubber on the friction wheel symmetrically for proper functioning. •...
SECTION 9: TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE Trouble Possible Cause(s) Engine fails to start 1. Fuel tank empty, or stale fuel. 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.
SECTION 10: PARTS LIST FOR MODEL 553 22 13 28 21 26 22 6...
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Model 553 Ref. No. Part No. 05931 Bearing Housing 684-0065 Impeller Assy. 12” dia. 705-5226 Chute Reinforcement 710-0451 Carriage Bolt 5/16-18 x .75” Gr.2 710-0459A Hex Screw 3/8-24 x 1.5” Gr.5 710-0604 Hex Washer Head Self-Tapping Screw 5/16-18 x .62” 710-0703 Carriage Screw 1/4-20 x .75”...
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Model 553 Drive Clutch Cable routed below axle and hooked here 34 32 35 38...
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Model 553 Ref. No. Part No. 618-0043 Dogg Assembly: RH 618-0044 Dogg Assembly: LH 618-0303B Shift Assembly: Steerable Drive 656-0012A Friction Wheel Disc Assy. 684-0014B Shift Rod Assembly 684-0042B Bearing 684-0130 Transmission Frame Assembly 684-0131A Support Bracket Assembly 710-0599 Hex Washer Hd. TT Screw 1/4-20 x 0.5”...
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Model 553 Ref. No. Part No. 05896A Idler Bracket 710-0230 Hex Bolt 1/4-28 x 0.5” Gr.5 710-0627 Hex Screw w/ Patch: 5/16-24 x 0.75” 710-0654A Hex Washer HeadTT Sems Screw 710-0696 Hex Bolt 3/8-24 x .875” Gr.8 710-1245 Hex Screw w/ Patch: 5/16-24 x .875”...
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Model 553 reference only reference only 29 5...
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Model 553 Ref. No. Part No. 684-0008A Shift Arm Assembly 710-0262 Carriage Bolt 5/16-18 x 1.5” 710-0449 Carriage Bolt 5/16-18 x 2.25” 710-0788 TT Screw 1/4-20 x 1” 710-0837 Oval C-Sk. Screw AB #10-16 x 0.625” 710-0890A Shear Bolt 5/16-18 x 1.5” 710-3008 Hex Screw 5/16-18 x .75”...
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MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR: 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...