Drain the fuel or add stabilizer
If there’s only one thing you do to your snowblower before putting it away for the year, make it this step. Either drain the fuel by running the machine until it dies, or add fuel stabilizer to prevent any remaining gas from degrading.
Gas will begin to break down after about a month of sitting, creating residue and solids that can damage the engine, clog the carburetor and make starts more difficult. The stabilizer will keep it usable for up to two years.
Use Sta-bil or a similar product and add enough for your fuel tank capacity. Run the snowblower for a few minutes to distribute the treated fuel through the engine and carburetor. Ideally the gas tank is full if you choose this method, to reduce moisture issues.
Perform an oil change
It’s best to store a snowblower with fresh oil. Run it for a few minutes to warm up the oil, then turn it off and disconnect the spark plug wire. Locate the drain plug and loosen it with a wrench. Have a pan ready to catch the oil, and lean the machine toward it to help facilitate drainage. Once it’s drained, replace the drain plug, carefully pour 5W-30 oil into the machine, and check the level with the provided dipstick. Replace the spark plug wire and run the engine for a few minutes to distribute the clean oil throughout the engine. Dispose of used oil in accordance with local laws and ordinances.
Replace any worn or damaged parts
Visually inspect drive and auger belts. Look for frays, tears, burns or slack and replace if needed. Manually rotate the auger blade to ensure it moves freely, and remove any debris that may have accumulated over the season. Inspect shear pins and replace any that are broken or missing.
Lubricate any moving parts
“You’ll want to add a lubricant to any of the moving parts to keep those protected,” Steve Corcoran from Lawn Love says. These include the auger shaft, drive gears, cables and wheels. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to grease the auger shaft to keep it turning smoothly. Apply grease to wheel axles and the gear box, then apply spray lubricant to cables. This prevents rust, corrosion and parts seizing up while in storage.
Remove the spark plug
While it’s not necessary to replace the spark plug each season, you should at least remove and inspect it. Each snowblower is different, so consult the owner’s manual for the spark plug location on your particular machine. Once it’s located, pull away the spark plug wire and remove the spark plug with a deep-well socket wrench. Look for signs of a bad spark plug, such as charring or visible damage, and replace it if needed.
While it is removed, add a bit of fogging oil to the cylinder head while pulling the starter rope to prevent rust and corrosion while in storage. Replace the spark plug and wire when finished.
Adjust scraper blade and skid shoes
Set the skid shoes to the appropriate height for your driveway to keep the auger blade from scraping the surface. This is especially important if you have a gravel or pea-stove driveway. Inspect the scraper blade for damage, and replace if necessary. Check that it’s at an optimal level to remove snow without scraping the driveway, which could cause damage.
Clean the exterior
While snowblowers don’t do the dirty, dusty work of a lawn mower, it’s still important to give them a thorough cleaning before off-season storage. Snowblowers can collect sand, leaves and debris, as well as salt, which can accelerate paint breakdown and rust. “To clean it before storing it, start by using a brush or cloth to completely wipe it down and remove all debris buildup,” Corcoran says. “Then, use soap and water to clean it, and allow that to fully dry.” Finally, spray any exposed metal parts with engine storage spray to protect against corrosion and rust.
Store properly
“Storing a snowblower for the offseason is similar to storing your lawn mower,” Corcoran says. “Store it in either your garage or shed, and make sure it always stays upright and is properly covered.”
About the Expert
- Steve Corcoran is CEO at Lawn Love, an online platform connecting homeowners with local lawn care professionals.
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