Product Care - MTD 300 Serie Operator's Manual

Product Care

WARNING!
Before servicing, repairing or inspecting the snow
thrower, disengage the auger control lever. Stop
the engine and remove the safety key to prevent
unintended starting.
Troubleshooting
Engine Fails to Start
1. Choke not in CHOKE position.
• Move choke to CHOKE position. See
Engine Operator's Manual.
2. Spark plug wire disconnected.
• Connect wire to spark plug. See
Engine Operator's Manual.
3. Fuel tank empty or stale fuel.
• Fill tank with clean, fresh fuel. See
Engine Operator's Manual.
4. Engine not primed.
• Prime engine as instructed in
Engine Operator's Manual.
5. Faulty spark plug.
• Clean, adjust gap or replace. See
Engine Operator's Manual.
6. Safety key not in switch.
• Insert safety key fully into switch.
7. Extension cord not connected when
using electric start button.
• Connect one end of extension
cord to electric starter outlet and
other end to a three-prong 120V,
grounded, AC outlet. See Engine
Operator's Manual.
Engine Running Erratically/Inconsistent
RPM (Hunting or Surging)
1. Engine running on CHOKE.
• Move choke lever to RUN position.
See Engine Operator's Manual.
2. Stale fuel.
• Fill tank with clean, fresh fuel. See
Engine Operator's Manual.
3. Water or dirt in fuel system.
• Drain fuel tank. Refill with fresh fuel.
See Engine Operator's Manual.
4. Carburetor out of adjustment.
• Contact an authorized Service
Center.
5. Engine over-governed.
• Contact an authorized Service
Center.
Engine Overheats
1. Engine oil level low.
• Fill engine with proper amount of
engine oil.
Excessive Vibration
1. Loose parts or damaged auger.
• Stop engine immediately and
disconnect the spark plug wire.
Check for possible damage. Tighten
all nuts and bolts. Repair as needed.
If the problem persists, contact an
authorized service center.
Unit Fails to Propel Itself
1. Drive control cable in need of
adjustment.
• Adjust drive control cable. Refer to
Drive Control on page 17.
2. Drive belt loose or damaged.
• Replace drive belt. Contact an
authorized Service Center.
3. Friction wheel worn.
• Replace friction wheel. Refer to
Service section on page 27.
Unit Fails to Discharge Snow
1. Chute assembly clogged.
• Stop engine immediately and
disconnect spark plug wire. See
Engine Operator's Manual. Clean
chute assembly and inside of
auger housing with clean-out tool.
Refer to Cleaning a Clogged Chute
Assembly on page 22.
2. Foreign object lodged in auger.
• Stop engine immediately and
disconnect spark plug wire. See
Engine Operator's Manual. Remove
object from auger with clean-out
tool. Refer to Cleaning a Clogged
Chute Assembly on page 22.
3. Auger control cable in need of
adjustment.
• Refer to Auger Control on page 16.
4. Auger belt loose or damaged.
• Refer to Auger Belt Replacement on
page 25 and 26.
5. Shear pin(s) sheared.
• Refer to Replacing Shear Pins on
page 22.
Chute fails to easily rotate 180 -200
degrees
1. Chute assembled incorrectly.
• Unassemble chute control and
reassemble as directed in the
Assembly & Set-up section.
Unit Plows Snow Instead of Blowing It
1. Low/slow ground speed in wet/slushy
snow 1-3" in depth.
• Increase ground speed and always
operate snow thrower engine at
FULL throttle. Refer to Cleaning a
Clogged Chute Assembly on page
22.
2. Shear pin(s) sheared.
• Refer to Replacing Shear Pins on
page 22.
Overhead Chute Crank Does Not Stay
Stationary While Throwing Snow
1. Insufficient preload applied to chute
control.
• Refer to Chute Assembly on page 25.
Maintenance
Engine
Refer to Engine Operator's Manual.
Tire Pressure
Refer to Assembly & Set-up section (page 15)
for information regarding tire pressure.
Shave Plate & Skid Shoes
The shave plate and skid shoes on the bottom
of the snow thrower are subject to wear. They
should be checked periodically and replaced
when necessary.
NOTE: Deluxe skid shoes (on select models)
have two wear edges. When one side wears
out, they can be rotated 180° to use the other
edge.
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