Tips for Keeping Your Snow Blower Properly Maintained

During our snowy Lancaster County winters, a snow blower can make life much easier. Instead of throwing your back out shoveling inches of heavy, wet snow, you can efficiently move it off your driveway and sidewalks, relying on the power of a gas engine.

As with all small gas engines, a snow blower must be properly maintained to ensure optimal performance. There is nothing worse than going to use your snow blower during the first blizzard of the winter and finding out that it won’t start.

The best way to keep your snow blower running all winter long is to perform an annual tune-up and regular preventive maintenance.

Annual Tune-Up

A regularly-scheduled tune-up is the perfect way to ensure your snow blower is ready for this winter’s storms. A factory-certified repair technician will comb over every inch of your equipment to make sure it works properly. If components are found to be faulty or worn-down, they can be replaced quickly, without doing damage to your blower.

Usually there is a rush for tune-ups the closer we get to winter. That’s why we recommend scheduling snow blower tune-ups during August through October. Any later and you may not have your blower ready in time for the first snow fall.

Seasonal tune-ups may include:

• Pick-up and delivery of equipment
• Drain and replace the oil
• Change spark plug
• Inspect parts
• Replace belts
• Tighten bolts
• Replace starter cord
• Testing equipment for proper running

Preventive Maintenance

During the winter season, you can take certain steps to make sure your equipment functions properly and lasts the whole season. Here are some tips for properly maintaining your snow blower.

Thorough Cleaning

Remove grease, dirt, and grime from the device after every time you use it, and especially before you store it for the season.

The combination of moisture and salt can be a deadly combo for metal components found in a snow blower. If your blower has been scratched, the exposed metal will rust and corrode.

We also recommend using silicone spray around the auger and impeller, as this helps the snow move smoother and prevents clogging.

Visual Inspection

Before you use your blower, do a quick visual inspection of the equipment. Make sure it has enough fuel, and that the cap is secured. If you have traditional air-filled tires, make sure the tires are properly inflated.