Maintenance And Adjustments; Off-Season Storage - MTD 300 Series Operator's Manual

Maintenance& Adjustments
Maintenance
General Recommendations
Always observe safety rules when performing any type of
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.
Periodically check all fasteners and hardware to make sure
these are tight.
i_i WARNING! Before servicing, repairing, lubricating,
or inspecting, disengage all controls and stop
engine. Wait until all moving parts have come to a
complete stop. Disconnect spark plug wire and
ground it against the engine to prevent unintended
starting. Always wear safety glasses during
operation or while performing any adjustments or
repairs.
Engine
Listed below are general recommendations about maintaining
your snow thrower engine. For further details, refer to the Engine
Maintenance Section.
1. Before operating snow thrower, check the oil level.
2. Change engine oil after first five hours of operation and
every 25 hours thereafter.
3. Clean spark plug and reset the electrode gap to 0.030"
at least once a season or every 100 hours of operation;
replace every 200 hours of operation.
TirePressu re
Before operating, check tire pressure and reduce pressure to
between 15 psi and 20 psi. Refer to Setup in the Assembly and
Setup section of this manual for proper filling procedures.
If the tire pressure is not equal in both tires, the unit may pull to
one side or the other.
Check V-Belts
Follow instructions below to check condition of drive belts every
50 hours of operation.
1. Remove the plastic belt cover on the front of the engine by
removing the self-tapping screw and pressing the plastic
tabs to release the belt cover. See Fig. 8-1 in the Service
section of this manual.
2.
Visually inspect for frayed, cracked, or excessively worn out
belts. Replace, if necessary, following instructions in the
Service section of this manual.
ShavePlate and Skid Shoes
The shave plate and skid shoes on the bottom of the snow
thrower are subject to wear. These should be checked
periodically and replaced when necessary.
To replace skid shoes:
1. Remove the carriage bolts and nuts securing each skid shoe
to the auger housing, See Fig. 6-1.
2. Reassemble new skid shoes with hardware just removed.
Make sure the skid shoes are adjusted to be level.
\\
Figure 6-1
To remove shave plate:
3. Remove both skid shoes and hardware including carriage
bolts and nuts which attach shave plate to the snow
thrower housing. For location of shave plate, see Fig. 6-1.
4. Reassemble new shave plate, making sure heads of the
carriage bolts are to the inside of the housing.
5. Reinstall skid shoes. Tighten securely.
Off-Season Storage
If the snow thrower will not be used for 30 days or longer, or if it
is the end of the snow season when the last possibility of snow is
gone, the equipment needs to be stored properly. Follow storage
instructions below to ensure top performance from the snow
thrower for many more years.
1. Store the equipment in a clean, dry area.
2. If storing the snow thrower in an unventilated area,
rustproof the machine using a light oil or silicone to coat
the snow thrower.
3. Clean the exterior of the engine and the snow thrower.
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