MTD 31AE5MLG729 - Manual (Page 14)

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12.3. Remove the right planetary gear cluster from the
drive shaft. See Figure 29.
12.4. Slide the drive shaft to the right while holding the
left planetary gear cluster in place. See Figure
30.
12.5. Remove the drive shaft and sprocket from the
unit.
12.6. Remove the drive chain from around the left
planetary gear cluster and remove the cluster
from the unit.
NOTE: During assembly, make sure the drive
clutch cable is routed on the inside of the drive
shaft.
13. AXLE SHAFT REMOVAL
NOTE: It is not necessary to remove the drive
shaft in order to service the wheel axle.
13.1. Tip the unit up on the auger housing.
13.2. Remove both wheels.
13.3. Remove the frame cover.
13.4. Remove the spacers on each end of the axle.
See Figure 31.
13.5. Remove both cotter pins from the clevis pins
securing the sprockets to the wheel axle. See
Figure 32.
13.6. Remove the clevis pins from the axle.
NOTE: This is a split axle.
Figure 29
Planetary Gear Cluster
Washer
Figure 30
Drive Shaft
Slide
Figure 31
Axle Spacer
Figure 32
Cotter Pins &
Clevis Pins