If you have no intentions of standing out in the cold and being mad in the snowblower that fails to run, it is highly recommended to perform all maintenances well before the first snow fall. The annual maintenance of the snowblower will allow you to use it for years without any unpleasant surprises from it. The safety aspect should not be ignored either, as in the lack of adequate maintenance, the use of the snowblower can be quite risky.
How to Maintain Your Snow Blower
Don’t wait for the first snow to fly to properly check the belts, bolts and all moving parts to detect if they are worn, loose or frayed. It is best to remove all belts and check them for any possible cracks. Loose bolts should be tightened and all worn parts replaced.
Examine the scraper bar by turning the snowblower on one side. We are talking about the bar that moves the snow off and gets in contact with the ground. This is one of those things that deteriorates quite quickly and often needs to be replaced. If you fail to replace the deteriorated bar, the housing of the snowblower will be damaged, leading to serious problems and high expenses. If the snowblower is heavily used during the season, it should be regularly checked.
The rubber on the auger and the rubber paddles also require regular check out. The rubber needs to be replaced if you can put in your finger between the housing and the rubber. Replace the rubber whenever it is required for the best possible performance level of your snowblower.
It is important to make sure the tires are not worn out and that they have proper pressure. If the snowblower uses chains, store them in an easy to reach place. You don’t want to desperately search for the chains when it is freezing cold outside and you need the snowblower.
If your snowblower has a two cylinder engine, just replace the spark plug. In the case of a snowblower with four cylinder engine, you have to change the spark plug, oil and filter. Check the oil level before using the machine. These engines typically use 5W-30 oil and take about 20 ounces.
The drive and chassis need proper lubrication. Read the owners manual for the type of blower (one stage or two stage) you have and for the best lubricant to use.
Don’t start your snowblower with fuel left in the tank from the previous winter. Siphon it off and use fresh gasoline. Some methanol should be added to the gasoline to avoid icing up the carburetor.
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