How To Prepare Your Snowblower For Winter

Drain any remaining fuel from the previous year's tank. When working with gasoline, exercise extreme caution. Working in a well-ventilated area free of open flames or sparks is recommended.

A constant supply of fresh, clean fuel is required. When old gas sits in the fuel tank or your gas can for an extended period, it absorbs moisture. Gas will go bad in about 6 months unless you use a fuel stabilizer. Dirty gas can jam up your tank's fuel filter, so inspect it and swap it if it is old or blocked up.

While you're in there, inspect the fuel line to ensure there are no cracks and that it remains flexible and soft. If the fuel line is cracked or broken, it must be replaced.

Spark plugs should be replaced once a season as well. So, if you know your spark plug is from the previous year, you should probably replace it.

Let us now discuss oil. Oil lubricates engine components and aids in-cylinder cooling. Another thing you'll want to change once a season is oil. Don't forget to bring your used oil to your local oil recycling center!

Following that, we will lubricate the auger shaft and bearings to prevent the auger from freezing in the dead of winter. Take out all of the shear pins from the auger shaft. Spray a thin layer of silicone lubricant inside the shaft, as well as around the spacers and flange bearings.

Examine the shear pins for wear or damage and replace them as needed. Replace the shear pins and re-secure them with cotter pins.

Note: This step is most crucial for riding lawn mower snowblower because in most cases you will attaching only the snow blower shaft to your lawn mower. So it has to be prepared for winter. 

Let's take a look at your wheels and tires now. Tilt the snowblower carefully on its nose. Check that your fuel tank is empty. To remove the first wheel, use a socket wrench.

To keep the axle from rusting, clean it and coat it with multi-purpose automotive grease. Replace the wheel and secure it to the axle. Duplicate the procedure on the opposite wheel.

Now we will check the air pressure in each tire with a pressure gauge. To check the pressure, press the gauge down on the valve stem and compare it to the recommended psi found on the tire sidewall. Tires should be inflated or deflated as needed.

Now we will check the air pressure in each tire with a pressure gauge. To check the pressure, press the gauge down on the valve stem and compare it to the recommended psi found on the tire sidewall. Tires should be inflated or deflated as needed.