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There is a definite chill in the air, and before the first flurries fly, it’s time to get the snow blower prepared for the winter. “Homeowners should plan to perform routine maintenance on their snow blowers at least a few weeks ahead of the first snowstorm of the season,” says Wes Bollingmo, Channel and Product Support Manager at Toro.
Basic snow blower maintenance is fairly simple and straightforward, involving steps similar to those you’d take for your car (changing oil, inspecting belts, and so on). “A little upkeep now can prevent costly repairs down the road and extend the overall life of the machine,” says Bollingmo. “Homeowners are protecting their peace of mind,” he says. “Ensuring the snow blower will start when needed throughout the season can alleviate stress when homeowners across the country wake up and see their driveways and sidewalks blanketed in snow.”
The first step is to dig out the owner’s manual so that you know exactly what replacement parts, oil, and lubricants are right for your specific model of snow blower. The following general guidelines should have you up and running before the first heavy snow.
1. Inspect and tighten or replace parts as necessary.
Check all of the nuts, bolts, screws, belts, and cords to make sure that nothing is loose. Two-stage snow blowers have two belts, one for the auger and one for the drive; single-stage snow blowers have only one belt. If the belts are worn or cracked, they should be replaced. Otherwise, make sure they are tight. The starter cord also should be inspected and replaced if there is any evidence of fraying.
2. Change the oil and gas on fuel-powered snow blowers.
A two-cylinder engine uses mixed gas and oil; a four-cylinder engine uses straight gas with a separate crankcase for the oil. In both cases, you should completely drain the old oil and gas from the engine and properly dispose of them, then replace them with new fluids. To change the oil, start the engine and let it run for a few minutes to warm up. Stop the engine and remove the oil plug, draining the old oil into a waste receptacle. Once all the oil has drained, replace and tighten the plug and refill the engine with the appropriate weight of oil. Turn the engine on again and check the oil level. Also, check to make sure that the drain plug is tight and there are no leaks.
3. Replace spark plug, fuel, and air filter on gas-powered snow blowers.
“Starting a snow blower will always be easier if the spark plug is in good condition,’ says Bollingmo. “If in doubt, replace it.” Check your owner’s manual to ensure that you have the proper replacements on hand. To change the spark plug, remove the lead wire, then use a socket wrench to remove the plug. Replace with a new spark plug, being careful not to over-tighten the new plug, and re-attach the lead wire. “To ensure you have good-quality gas, wait until late fall, or when you see snow in the weather forecast, before purchasing,” Bollingmo suggests. “Gas is re-blended to suit the season and winter-grade fuel will make cold-weather starts easier.”
“To ensure you have good-quality gas, wait until late fall, or when you see snow in the weather forecast, before purchasing,” Bollingmo suggests. “Gas is re-blended to suit the season, and winter-grade fuel will make cold-weather starts easier.”
4. Check the battery health on electric snow blowers.
Rechargeable batteries on electric snow blowers can degrade over time. The amount of charge they can hold can decrease as they age, for example. Bollingmo suggests checking “your battery voltage using a digital multimeter” as part of your annual snow blower maintenance. He suggests that you ”refer to your operator’s manual for the voltage range recommended by the manufacturer.” Furthermore, Bollingmo says homeowners should ensure that the wiring is not loose or corroded and that no fuses have blown.
5. Lubricate the drive and chassis.
Again, check the owner’s manual to ensure that you use the proper lubricant. If possible, turn the snow blower on its side so that you can easily reach all of the components.
While the snow blower is on its side, inspect these additional parts:
- The scraper bar, which is the piece that rubs against the ground and scrapes the snow off. If this is worn, replace it (leaving it alone could result in damage to the snow blower housing).
- The skid shoes, which are located on each side of the auger housing. The skid shoes adjust the height of the auger in order to keep it from scraping the ground or picking up stones. Skid shoes should be replaced if they are worn.
- The rubber on the auger. If your finger fits between the rubber and the housing, it is time to replace the rubber.
6. Check tires and chains.
Check the tire pressure and add air if needed. Inspect the tires for wear; replace if necessary. If you have chains for your tires, either put them on in advance or make sure they are readily accessible.
7. Replace broken shear pins.
The shear pins (also known as shear bolts) on a snow blower are actually designed to break. Shear pins are important safety features, because they break when the auger and casing are over-torqued and prevent serious damage to the unit. The shear pins are located between the auger and the gear casing. As you go through your preseason checklist, replace any missing or broken pins. It is a good idea to buy shear pins from wherever you purchased your snow blower so you’ll have the right ones, and so you can handle replacements quickly throughout the season.
8. See that all your snow blower accessories are in working order, too.
Different makes and models of snow blowers come with various accessories, such as power steering, headlights, and electric starters. It is a good idea to inspect all of these items and replace any accessories that are broken or worn. When it comes to power steering, Bollingmo says, “Those components just need some extra lubrication to get back to working order.” He adds that it’s smart to “check to see if there’s any wear or damage to the steering mechanism, cables or the wheels.”
Inspection Checklist to Keep Your Snow Blower Running Smoothly
Now that your blower is ready to keep your driveway and pathways safe, keep it in top form by adhering to these best practices all winter. In fact, Bollingmo says it’s important to conduct a “simple inspection of the snow blower before each use.”
- When you’ve finished a clearing session, run the snow blower on a cleared surface to remove any leftover snow from the auger. Before you put the machine away, wipe snow from the throw chute and the housing.
- Tighten any loose bolts or fasteners after each use.
- Check for worn or damaged parts and replace them as soon as possible. ”When a rotor blade edge has worn down to the wear indicator hole, replace both the rotor blades and the scraper,” Bollingmo advises.
