Keep Your Snow Blower Healthy
With winter almost near, before you know it, it also has ended. So it''s always those time that you need to prepare and take care of your snow blowers. Before winter knocks on your doorstep, you should check whether your snow blowers are still working fine or if it''s time to replace it. Don''t wait to go buy a snow blower when snow is blocking your way. Do it beforehand.
Now when winter goes, it''s time to do some regular maintenance to make sure your snow blower is healthy for storage. So if you still don''t know what to check on your snow blower, read on and bd knowledgeable on how to properly upkeep your snow blowers.
Things to do to and What to Look for in Maintaining to Snow Blowers
1. Oil Change
Changing your oil regularly is just one part of keeping your snow blowers healthy. It should be done regularly, at least once a year. But before changing any oil, you should refer to your manual in order to know the best oil to use since there are times when a specific oil is not applicable to all kinds. Referring to your manual will also help you easily locate where you''re oil engine can be found.
To understand how to chang the oil, you will have to do the following steps:
Note: You don''t have to go through all steps if you find the oil level of your machine to still be at the acceptable level. You also don''t need to do this on every after use.
2. Inspect and Replacing Belts
This steps require you to inspect the belts of your machine if it has cracks and wear since most belts stretch from over use. If it''s too loose, then it''s time to replace them but if you find them to be still tight and useable then there''s no need to replace them. You can also try adjusting the pulleys to make the belt tight if it still can.
Find the location of the belt cover. Most of the two stage snow blowers have two belts, one for the auger and the other for the drive system. Refer to your manual for faster way of locating your belts and learning more on how to deal with your machine. After locating, take a picture of it so you''ll have a reference of what it looks like when you will have to put them back on. There''s a belt cover that you first need to remove before you can inspect the belt.
3. Check the Scraper Bar and Skid Shoes
Like the belts, the scraper bar and skid shoes gets wear and tear so it''ll need replacement, otherwise, the snow blower housing can be damaged. You can replace the skid shoes by removing the bolts, taking off the old skid shoe and bolting on the new part to the proper height. While there are some cases when the skid shoes are reversible. If that''s the case then you can just flip them over if one side is already worn out. You can''t also use a snow blower without skid shoes.
4. Change the Spark Plug
You should inspect the spark plugs every season for safety and replace them if needed. Remove the spark plug to check for heavy damage or deposits. To change, make sure there aren''t any debris around your spark plug so when you remove it, those won''t go inside to your engine. You will have to first remove the spark plug lead from the spark plug then remove the spark plug using a wrench. Then use a wire brush and spray plug cleaner to remove light deposits on the plug. After cleaning or replacing the spark plug, reinstall the plug and attach the wire. Don''t over tighten the plug when you reinstall it.
5. Replace Shear Pins
Like other parts, you will have to inspect thoroughly if the shear pins are working fine or need replacement. If you continue to use your snow blower with overused shear pins, it could damage your machine. Shear pins or shear bolts are used to connect the auger to the gear case. So if you had to replace the shear pins, make sure to only use exact replacement (OEM) shear pins because anything other than that could damage your gear case.
6. Replace Starter Cord
Check if the pull cord is not cut or frayed but if it looks like it then it''s time to replace them. After replacing the cord, you should test if the new starter cord also works smoothly.
7. Fuel Maintenance
Draining the fuel from your tank and carburetor in time before putting it on storage for a long time is a great move for protection against formation of varnish deposits that occur when old fuel is left in a small engine, especially for a long time.
After inspecting all parts of your machine and replacing necessary old and worn out parts, make sure to tighten all bolts, including the ones you loosened to replace and everything that you didn''t touch. Since snow blower tend to vibrate when in use, it causes the nuts and bolts to become loose. So it is best practice for preventive measures to keep your machine tightly secured and not let anything falls off while it''s opened.
Now when winter goes, it''s time to do some regular maintenance to make sure your snow blower is healthy for storage. So if you still don''t know what to check on your snow blower, read on and bd knowledgeable on how to properly upkeep your snow blowers.
Things to do to and What to Look for in Maintaining to Snow Blowers
1. Oil Change
Changing your oil regularly is just one part of keeping your snow blowers healthy. It should be done regularly, at least once a year. But before changing any oil, you should refer to your manual in order to know the best oil to use since there are times when a specific oil is not applicable to all kinds. Referring to your manual will also help you easily locate where you''re oil engine can be found.
To understand how to chang the oil, you will have to do the following steps:
- Check the Oil Level and Start the Engine – When changing oil, you should start the machine first just to warm up the oil. After it''s warmed up, turn the engine off.
- Drain the Oil – Locate the oil drain plug which can mostly be found at the rear or on the side of the snow blower. Then remove the plug and allow the oil to drain. It''d be best practice if you place a drain pan below to allow the drained oil to settle there and it will make it easier for you to clean any mess afterwards.
- Refill with New Oil – After draining the oil completely, place the drain plug back. Make sure you tighten the plug and check for leaks to make sure there''s no leakage. Place a funnel in the fill tubel and refill the engine with the proper amount and grade of oil required by the unit.
Note: You don''t have to go through all steps if you find the oil level of your machine to still be at the acceptable level. You also don''t need to do this on every after use.
2. Inspect and Replacing Belts
This steps require you to inspect the belts of your machine if it has cracks and wear since most belts stretch from over use. If it''s too loose, then it''s time to replace them but if you find them to be still tight and useable then there''s no need to replace them. You can also try adjusting the pulleys to make the belt tight if it still can.
Find the location of the belt cover. Most of the two stage snow blowers have two belts, one for the auger and the other for the drive system. Refer to your manual for faster way of locating your belts and learning more on how to deal with your machine. After locating, take a picture of it so you''ll have a reference of what it looks like when you will have to put them back on. There''s a belt cover that you first need to remove before you can inspect the belt.
3. Check the Scraper Bar and Skid Shoes
Like the belts, the scraper bar and skid shoes gets wear and tear so it''ll need replacement, otherwise, the snow blower housing can be damaged. You can replace the skid shoes by removing the bolts, taking off the old skid shoe and bolting on the new part to the proper height. While there are some cases when the skid shoes are reversible. If that''s the case then you can just flip them over if one side is already worn out. You can''t also use a snow blower without skid shoes.
4. Change the Spark Plug
You should inspect the spark plugs every season for safety and replace them if needed. Remove the spark plug to check for heavy damage or deposits. To change, make sure there aren''t any debris around your spark plug so when you remove it, those won''t go inside to your engine. You will have to first remove the spark plug lead from the spark plug then remove the spark plug using a wrench. Then use a wire brush and spray plug cleaner to remove light deposits on the plug. After cleaning or replacing the spark plug, reinstall the plug and attach the wire. Don''t over tighten the plug when you reinstall it.
5. Replace Shear Pins
Like other parts, you will have to inspect thoroughly if the shear pins are working fine or need replacement. If you continue to use your snow blower with overused shear pins, it could damage your machine. Shear pins or shear bolts are used to connect the auger to the gear case. So if you had to replace the shear pins, make sure to only use exact replacement (OEM) shear pins because anything other than that could damage your gear case.
6. Replace Starter Cord
Check if the pull cord is not cut or frayed but if it looks like it then it''s time to replace them. After replacing the cord, you should test if the new starter cord also works smoothly.
7. Fuel Maintenance
Draining the fuel from your tank and carburetor in time before putting it on storage for a long time is a great move for protection against formation of varnish deposits that occur when old fuel is left in a small engine, especially for a long time.
After inspecting all parts of your machine and replacing necessary old and worn out parts, make sure to tighten all bolts, including the ones you loosened to replace and everything that you didn''t touch. Since snow blower tend to vibrate when in use, it causes the nuts and bolts to become loose. So it is best practice for preventive measures to keep your machine tightly secured and not let anything falls off while it''s opened.
