Owner’s manual
How many years should a snowblower last?
A gas snowblower like the MTD 31AS640F352 typically lasts 15 to 20 years with normal residential use and consistent maintenance. Wear items (belts, skid shoes, shave plate, tires) usually need replacement along the way; following the maintenance schedule in the owner's manual is what keeps the machine reliable long-term.
Most two-stage gas snow throwers fall into this range when they are maintained and stored correctly.
| What you’re measuring | Typical expectation | What usually ends it first |
|---|---|---|
| Overall machine life | 15 to 20 years | Corrosion, neglected maintenance, drivetrain wear |
| Wear parts life | 1 to 5 seasons (varies) | Abrasive surfaces, heavy snow, improper adjustments |
| Fuel system reliability | Seasonal | Stale fuel, clogged fuel line/carburetor issues |
- Running old fuel (gas can go stale in about 30 days without stabilizer)
- Skipping oil changes and lubrication points
- Hitting gravel, curbs, or ice chunks that stress the auger and housing
- Using incorrect hardware (for example, replacing shear bolts with standard bolts)
- Storing the unit wet or dirty, leading to rust and seized components
We recommend these basics for the 31AS640F352:
- Inspect and replace the shave plate and skid shoes when worn; they are designed to be sacrificial wear parts.
- Keep the auger and discharge area clear; use a clean-out tool, not your hands.
- Check belts for glazing, cracking, or slipping; replace when performance drops.
- Use fresh fuel and keep the fuel cap vent clear.
- Do off-season storage steps (cleaning, fuel handling, and corrosion prevention) as outlined in the manual.
A snowblower usually does not “wear out” all at once; it becomes unreliable when routine wear parts and adjustments are ignored. Replacing common wear items on time helps protect expensive assemblies (like the auger gearbox and drive system) and keeps throwing performance consistent.
Last updated: February 2026
How to find snowblower model number?
For MTD snow thrower model 31AS640F352, we find the model number on the model plate by standing behind the unit in the operating position and looking down at the rear frame below the engine; copy both the model and serial number for parts lookup and service records (see the owner's manual).
Use this quick checklist while the machine is off and cool:
- Stand behind the snowblower at the handles (operator position).
- Look down at the rear frame directly below the engine.
- Find the model plate (identification label) and read the model number.
- Write down the serial number too; it helps match the correct parts list.
- If the label is dirty, wipe it clean and use a flashlight.
Your snowblower has an equipment model number and may also have a separate engine model number.
| Number type | What it identifies | When you need it |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment model number (example: 31AS640F352) | The snowblower frame, auger housing, drive system, controls | Ordering parts like skid shoes, shave plate, belts, cables |
| Engine model number | The engine itself (carburetor, ignition, recoil starter, tune-up items) | Engine-specific maintenance and engine parts matching |
Using the exact model number helps us match the correct diagrams and parts for your MTD snow thrower, especially for wear items that vary by build, such as skid shoes, shave plates, and drive or auger components.
- Take a clear photo of the model plate before ordering parts.
- Copy the characters exactly (including dashes or suffixes if shown).
- Keep the number with your seasonal maintenance notes (oil changes, belt replacements).
Last updated: February 2026
Is it worth fixing an old snowblower?
Yes, it’s worth fixing an older MTD snow thrower like model 31AS640F352 when the problem is a normal wear item (belts, skid shoes, shave plate, shear bolts) and the machine is otherwise solid. If the repair involves major drive or gearbox work and the cost approaches about half the price of a comparable replacement, replacement is the better value.
- Fix it if it starts reliably, has good compression, and only needs routine service (oil change, spark plug, belt, skid shoes).
- Fix it if the auger stopped after hitting ice or debris; that often means shear bolts did their job.
- Fix it if it’s scraping poorly or leaving snow behind; the shave plate and skid shoes are designed to wear.
- Replace it if the drive system is badly damaged (for example, severe internal gearbox issues) or the frame/housing is cracked.
- Replace it if you need multiple big-ticket parts at once (tires, drive assembly, gearbox) and downtime matters.
The operator guidance for this platform calls out several service items as normal maintenance, including checking shear bolts and replacing the shave plate and skid shoes when worn (see the owner's manual).
| Symptom | Likely cause | Typical fix |
|---|---|---|
| Augers won’t turn after a jam | Shear bolts sheared | Replace correct shear bolts (never standard bolts) |
| Poor scraping, leaves a layer | Worn shave plate | Replace shave plate and re-check skid shoe height |
| Skips, digs in, uneven clearing | Skid shoes worn/misadjusted | Replace or adjust skid shoes level |
| Auger won’t engage | Worn/stretched belt | Replace auger drive belt |
- Replace the snowblower auger drive belt 954-0430c if the auger drive slips.
- Replace worn skid shoes such as the skid shoe 784-5580-0637 to protect the housing and improve glide.
- Replace a worn scraper using the shave plate 790-00120-0637 (also called a shave plate/scraper blade).
Snowblowers are built with sacrificial wear parts (especially auger shear bolts, skid shoes, and shave plate) to prevent expensive damage. Putting the right maintenance parts back on your 31AS640F352 restores performance and helps protect the drive and auger system.
Last updated: February 2026
