Know how to Prepare your Snow blower for Winter

The easiest way to tune up a snowblower and get it into working order is through a technician. An easy google check will give you a ton of local snowblower pros. They will be able to give the snowblower a quick once over and you will be set for snow.

If you recently purchased your snow blower you will want to make sure you are staying within the warranty specs. That may mean a certified technician is the only one allowed to perform work on your unit. 

This will be a quick once over where you will take the time to give everything a wiggle. You want to make sure nothing is really loose or bent in the wrong way. Be sure to check the cables for the throttle and brakes if applicable. 

If you notice something needs to be fixed be sure to change it before starting it up. If you notice the cables or levers are loose you may want to tighten them. Snowblowers produce a lot of vibration and so the machine over time may have loose bits. This is usually a quick fix that includes a screwdriver or a socket turn. 

Check your tires for air pressure, tread wear and cracks. This will help ensure the snowblower is able to move across ice and snow with ease. These tires can be easily filled with a bike pump, but double-check that is what is inside. There is a possibility the snowblower will have nitrogen gas increase of regular air. If this is the case then consider taking the tires to a tire shop. 

It doesn’t harm a nitrogen tire to be filled with air. It just increases the chances of needing to double-check the tires before every startup. Nitrogen does not shrink nearly as much as air dose and is perfect for cold environments. 

Flip the Skid Shoes 

We talked about making sure the skid shoes aren’t bent or broken in step one. But if you are wanting to limit the damage or even the wear out consider flipping them. They are easy to install and are reversible. Flipping them around should only take a few mins but can save you money in the long run. 

Like anything with belts, you want to check for wear. If a belt snaps while the engine is full throttle you run the risk of damaging the equipment. A rotten belt will appear to have threads, uneven wear or even a broken mirror appearance. If the belts look worn consider replacing them to avoid damage. 

If you forgot to drain your snow blower in the spring consider adding a fuel stabilizer. If the tank is filled to the top with the fuel you will need to turkey baste out at least have the old fuel. Old fuel can gel and therefore cause issues with the engine. Adding a fuel stabilizer with new fuel will help the small remaining full you have to mix nicely. 

Oil Check 

Check the dipstick to determine how clear or murky the oil is. If it is dirty it is time for an oil change. Make sure you check the manual to make sure the proper oil is used. This is not the same oil that goes into a vehicle, it is meant for smaller engines. 

Whenever doing any oil changes make sure the oil is disposed of properly. You can not throw used oil into the garbage. 

Check your spark plugs for signs of rust or corrosion. If they look rusted that it is time to consider replacing them. If they are dirty a quick cleaning can be done. If you are having issues with firing up the blower it is a sign the spark plugs may be aged. This is an inexpensive part that can save you a ton of time and headache. 

Discharge Chute Fixes 

This sounds bizarre but lubricates your snowblower chute: things like cooking oil, special lubricants, and WD40 all work. There is no wrong choice in this department and it all depends on what you’re looking to spend. You are officially ready to tackle the snowdrifts to come. Let your snowblower run for a few minutes before using it and listen for odd sounds. This will be a great indication as to whether or not you tighten everything properly.