Now that spring’s officially here and the snow is on its way out, it’s time to start thinking about how you’re going to keep your snow blower safe in storage over the summer. A Snow Blower Source snow blower isn’t a big machine like a car or truck, but its mechanical parts inside need to be taken care of all the same.
Look at the Manual First
No matter what tips you read here, they’ll be general ones that mostly apply to all snow blowers. However, there’s usually the case where a homeowner has a snow blower that deviates from the norm somehow, and the owner’s manual is the first place to turn when it comes to safe storage. But other than advising you on your own snow blower, an owner’s manual can also go into a lot more detail than an article can, so always consult with that first.
Check if Any Parts Need Replacing
This winter has been an especially harsh one, especially for people in New England the Eastern United States. As such, your snow blower likely got a harder workout than normal this year, so take a bit of time to go over the machine and check if any parts are loose, broken, bent, scraped, worn, frayed, or just in general need of repair or replacement. While all parts are important, pay close attention to the scrape plate and skid shoes, as they’re the most important for actually clearing snow.
Take Care of the Fuel and Tank
You need to drain the fuel first, so turn on your snow blower (outside!!) and run it until the engine’s empty. Alternatively, if you don’t want to run the engine dry, you can just add fuel stabilizer and let your snow blower run for five to 10 minutes to clean the lines. The benefits of running it dry are you get to clean it completely from scratch, while adding stabilizer and running it for a shorter time is a better option if you’re in a time crunch.
Give it an Oil Change
Just like a car needs oil every so many months or miles, your snow blower does, too. A regular supply of fresh oil helps keep all the parts inside lubricated with minimal buildup of gunk, ensuring your snow blower runs smoothly as long as possible. Essentially, all you have to do is loosen the drain plug and collect the oil in a pan—which you should always recycle instead of just throwing away—and then tighten the plug and pour in new oil.
Inspect the Spark Plug
The spark plug is the one bit of the snow blower responsible for ensuring an arc occurs and the machine can power to life. It doesn’t have to be replaced every season or every year, but you should be looking at it that frequently. If you’re at all unsure about what a good or bad spark plug looks like, just buy a new one and put it in; they’re not very expensive. Some snow blower owners also like to remove the spark plug over winter so it doesn’t get contaminated with grime, but it’s not a mandatory step. If you do decide to remove it, though, store it in a clean and dry place for maximum upkeep.