Winter is almost over, and although we may get another couple of snowfalls, it is getting close to the time to store your snow blower.
Here are some tips to help make it easier to start next season
- Use up the fuel, by running the machine until it stops. Alternatively you can also siphon the fuel with a siphon pump. These pumps are fairly cheap and can be purchase from most local hardware stores. If you choose to siphon out the fuel, run the machine until it shuts off after you siphon to use up the fuel in the carburetor (30 seconds to a couple of minutes maximum). The siphoned fuel is safe to use in your car or lawnmower, unless you have a single stage snow blower that uses mixed fuel. Leaving fuel in the machine will cause what I like to call ethanol damage. This is when the ethanol corrodes the parts in the carburetor and gels inside the passages.
- Inspect the machine, check you hard parts, skid shoes, scraper bar, shear pins and belts. These are the sort of items that you may want to replace during the off season, or purchase over the summer to be installed before your first use next season.
- If you live in an area where salt or sand/salt combinations are used to keep the road clean, Wipe down the machine thoroughly to remove any residual corrosive materials.
- Check your owner’s manual for any other storage recommendations
- Lastly, try to store the machine in a shed or a garage. Regardless or where you store it you should cover it to reduce dust and dirt from gathering on it. Most snow blowers do not have an air filter, or have a screen in front of the carburetor which dust can pass through. This could cause an internal problem when you start it next winter.
I don’t recommend changing the oil before storage as it will degrade while sitting. Lubricating the gear case and shaft is also recommended before the next use.
I hope this helps