Warren, OH -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/04/2017 -- It is common practice to store a snow thrower at the end of the winter season and completely forget about it until the following year. When storing any power equipment for any length of time, it is very important to run the equipment out of gas or use a quality fuel stabilizer like Ethanol Shield. Using a high octane gasoline or ethanol free fuel is highly recommended.
Checking the scraper bar, spark plugs, skids, shear pins, belts, and other items on a regular basis can ensure a long lasting machine. Remember to always remove any salt from the machine to prevent rust formation. Prior to performing any maintenance, wait until the machine is turned off and has cooled sufficiently.
Not all homeowners have their equipment serviced by professionals. For some, the alternative is to do the yearly maintenance on their own. That means purchasing the correct parts, making sure there is plenty of time set aside to conduct maintenance on the machine, and having the tools needed to do so.
Be sure children are not playing near the snow thrower when in use. Not only can children be injured, objects can become projectiles or can become lodged inside the machine. Pets should be kept safely away as well. Do not forget to wear reflective clothing when operating any machine.
Do-Cut's Power Equipment Warehouse recommends the following procedures when prepping snow throwers for the season:
- DO NOT EVER put a hand inside the chute of the snow thrower – serious injury will occur.
- Always use fresh gasoline and add a fuel stabilizer to maximize its lifespan. High octane or ethanol free fuel will yield the best results. Due to ethanol content, fuel degradation can occur within months and makes starting difficult.
- Replace the fuel filter yearly on applicable models. It's inexpensive and doing so facilitates the inspection of fuel lines and other items that may also degrade due to ethanol. Some snow thrower models will have an in-line filter and others will have a screen type in the fuel tank.
- Check the spark plug and replace it with a new one if necessary. Look for excessive deposits, fouling and gapping before re-using the existing plug.
- Inspect the scraper bar and rotor blades for wear. Rubber rotors (or augers) will typically have wear indicator holes or notches. Both should be replaced at the same time if the machine has two. Be wary of after-market rotors as they are not reinforced with fibers and will wear much faster than original manufacturer parts. If the rotors are worn, then it is a good time to replace the scraper bar as well and vice versa.
- Change the oil yearly whether the snow thrower was used excessively the previous season or not. Oil may not wear out if unused, but can become contaminated and damage internal engine parts. It's best to be safe.
- If the snow thrower is an older 2-cycle model, be sure to use ethanol free fuel or high octane fuel mixed with the correct 2-cycle oil.
- Belts should be checked for signs of wear: cracking and splitting mean that the belt is old and likely to break soon. Fraying and heavy glazing are signs that something else on the snow blower is possibly out of adjustment or otherwise working incorrectly.
- Check plastic wheels for wear, and rubber pneumatic wheels for wear, cracking and leaks.
- Lubricate all necessary points and service all grease fittings. Some snow throwers require grease on the moving parts of the chute to prevent freezing and rust.
It is important for a machine to be in good working order, but so too should the operator. Take breaks when operating a machine outside in the winter time. The more sweat a body produces the damper the clothes become. As such the risk of illness is greater. Stay hydrated as well. Even in cold temperatures humans can become dehydrated and light headed. Wear the proper gear to keep the hands, face, neck, feet and core warm and protected. Depending on the size of the area to clear, taking one or more breaks is advisable.
Customers can call Power Equipment Warehouse at 800-769-3741 to get help with parts selection for a particular machine. A parts lookup feature is available on their website at http://www.powerequipmentwarehouse.com.
About Power Equipment Warehouse
Power Equipment Warehouse and its affiliates are family owned and operated since 1947. Brands of power equipment supplies sold include: Toro, Husqvarna, Honda, Little Wonder, Mantis, MTD, JRCO, Ryan, Brown, Bluebird, Trac-Vac, Trimmertrap, Jungle Jims, Velke and many, many more. Power Equipment Warehouse is the trusted name in the outdoor power equipment industry.