Clearing The Snow; Cleaning The Chute Assembly - MTD 31A-3BAD729 Operator's Manual

_ ARNING:Do not over-tighten the
cable.Over-tightening mayprevent the
augerfrom disengaging and compro-
misethe safetyof the snowthrower.
2. Ina well-ventilated area,startthe snow thrower
engineas instructed e arlierin this sectionunderthe
headingStarting Engine.Makesurethe throttleisset
in the FASTposition.
3. Whilestandinginthe operator'sposition(behindthe
snow thrower)engagethe auger.
4. Allowthe augerto remainengagedforapproximately
ten (10) secondsbeforereleasingthe augercontrol.
Repeatthis severaltimes.
5. With the enginerunningin the FASTpositionand the
augercontrol inthe disengaged"up" position,walkto
the front of the machine.
6. Confirmthat the auger hascompletelystopped
rotatingand showsNO signsof motion.
iMPORTANT:If the augershowsANYsignsof rotating,
immediately r eturnto the operator'spositionand shut
off the engine.Wait forall movingparts to stop before
readjusting the augercontrolcable as showninthe
"SetupAnd Adjustment"sectionon page 7.
Clearing The Snow
CAUTION: Checkthe area to be clearedforforeign
objects. Remove, i f any.
1. Start the enginefollowingstartinginstructions.
2. Allowthe engineto warm up for a few minutesas
the enginewill not developfull poweruntil itreaches
operatingtemperature.
3. Rotatethe chuteassemblyto the desireddirection,
awayfrom bystandersand/or buildings.
4. Makingcertain no bystandersor obstaclesare in
front of the unit, squeezethe augercontrolcompletely
againstthe upper handleto fully engagethe augers.
5. Whilethe augercontrol isengaged,squeezethe drive
controlcompletelyagainstthe upper handleto engage
the wheels.Donot "feather"the drivecontrol.
6. As the snowthrowerstarts to move,maintaina firm
hold on the handle,and guide thesnow throweralong
the pathto be cleared.
7. Releasethe augerand drivecontrolsto stopthe snow
throwingactionand forwardmotion.
NOTE:Yourunit isequippedwith a clutchin thetransmis-
sion. If the wheelsstop turningwhiletrying to discharge
large volumesof snow,immediately disengagethe drive
controland allow the rotatingaugersto dischargesnow
from the housing.Reducethe clearingwidth and continue
operation.
Operating Tips
1. Formost efficientsnowremoval,removesnow
immediately after it falls.
2. Dischargesnowdownwindwheneverpossible.
Slightlyoverlapeachpreviousswath.
3. Setthe skid shoes1/4"belowthe shaveplatefor
normalusage.The skid shoes maybe adjusted
upwardfor hard-packed snow.
NOTE:It is not recommended that you operatethis
snowthroweron gravelas loosegravelcan be easily
pickedup and thrownbythe augercausingpersonal
injuryand/ordamageto the snowthrower.
4. If for some reason,youhaveto operatethe snow
throweron gravel,keepthe skid shoein the highest
positionfor maximumclearancebetweentheground
and the shaveplate.
5. Cleanthe snowthrowerthoroughly after each use.
Cleaning The Chute Assembly
Theclean-outtool is conveniently fastenedto the rear of
the augerhousingwith a mountingclip.
Whensnowand ice collectin the chuteassemblyduring
operation,usethis toolto safelycleanthe chuteand
chuteopening.Followthe stepsbelowto operateit.
__IL ARNING:Stop engineby moving
throttle leverto stop positionand wait
for all moving partsto stop before
using the clean-out tool.
1. Releasebothaugerand drivecontrols.
2. Stopthe engineby movingthrottleleverto stop
position.
3. Removethe clean-outtool fromthe clip which
securesit to the rearof the auger housing.
4. Use the shovel-shaped end of the clean-outtool to
dislodgeand scoop anysnow and icewhich has
formedin and nearthe chute assembly.
_ ARNING:Never use yourhands to
clean snow and ice from the chute
assembly or auger housing.
5. Re-fastenthe clean-outtool to the mountingclip
on the rear of the augerhousing.Youcan start
operatingyour snowthrowernow.
8. On eachsucceedingpass, readjustthe chute
assemblyto thedesiredpositionand slightlyoverlap
the previouslyclearedpath.
11
Operation
WARNING
Do not over-tighten
the cable. This may
prevent the auger
from disengaging
and compromise
the safety of the
snow thrower.
Stop engine by
moving throttle lever
to stop position and
wait for all moving
parts to stop
before using the
clean-out tool.
Never use your
hands to clean
snow and ice
from the chute
assembly or
auger housing.
CAUTION:
When preparing to
clear snow, be sure
to check the area to
be cleared for foreign
objects. Remove
objects, if any.