’Tis the Season...
For Maintaining Your Winter Equipment
It’s November: Do You Know Where Your Snowblower Is?

By Dennis Blanton

Many of us eagerly anticipate the first snowfall of the season. While we’re quick to remember the beauty of a winter wonderland, we’re even quicker to remember the need to make driveways and porches navigable. We all know there’s nothing worse than hosting a party and having guests unable to walk up your snowy sidewalk (unless one of these guests happens to be your mother-in-law), or worse yet, angering a customer at your office by leaving a snow- covered driveway.

Enter the snowblower, everyone’s favorite piece of winter power equipment. No doubt this powerhouse has been hibernating in your garage since late March and is ready for another tough season. Or is it? According to the experts at Honda Power Equipment, a division of American Honda Motor Co. Inc., the ability to weather another winter season starts with knowing how to choose and properly maintain your snowblower.

The Smart Start
The rule of thumb for the smart snowblower purchase is not to overbuy. In other words, don’t purchase the biggest, most powerful model with the widest swath without first considering the terrain and size of the area to be cleared.

“Lightweight snowblowers are the perfect choice for the home where paved driveway and walks need to be maintained and where snowfalls average less than 12 in.,” explains Clay Yeatman, senior engineer, Honda Power Equipment. “While Honda produces a number of different snowblowers for commercial and consumer applications, our entry-level HS520 model, for instance, with a 20-in. clearing width, is capable of throwing up to 55 tons of snow per hour over distances of up to 26 ft. It can easily clear a standard two-car driveway and sidewalks for most homes.”
By extension, those living in harsher environments, where more aggressive snow clearing is routine, should probably investigate a mid- or fuller-sized model capable of larger clearing paths.

There’s No Such Thing as a Free Lunch
(or a Maintenance-Free Snowblower)
Unfortunately, both are true. But let’s keep the focus on your snowblower, because chances are, your significant other won’t even let you back in the house to eat lunch (or any other meal for that matter) if the sidewalk remains uncleared. And any snowblower — whether a single stage machine or a more powerful dual stage model — won’t be much of a performer if not properly maintained.

“During the winter months, when the machine is operational several times a week, owners should make a practice of checking engine oil levels daily,” says Yeatman. “Small air-cooled engines in most snowblower models hold less oil than your car and may actually consume it faster.”

In addition to maintaining proper oil levels, snowblower operators also should frequently check the machine’s main wear items. These include the skid shoes and the scraper bar. The skid shoes are the steel plates mounted to the sides of the model’s front bucket. They support the machine at a pre-set distance above the ground. The scraper bar is a heavy steel appendage with a sharp edge mounted to the bottom of the bucket; it provides an edge that allows the snowblower to cut through the snow.

“Both the skid shoes and the scraper bar are intended to rub along the ground as the unit is operated and can wear out even faster if you’re trying to clear snow down to the bare pavement,” cautions Yeatman. “It’s important to keep both of these items adjusted properly and to replace them when necessary. Otherwise, the pavement may wear into the auger housing, resulting in a far more expensive replacement.”

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When it comes to the adjustment and replacement of these wear items, note that both the skid shoes and the scraper bar are, on many popular models, usually held in place by nuts and bolts. Operators should follow these steps for adjustment and replacement:

• Place the snowblower on a level surface. For track-type snowblowers, step on the foot pedal and set the auger (the device that collects and throws the snow) in the middle position.
• Loosen the skid shoe nuts and obtain the auger ground clearance for the appropriate snow conditions. Adjust the right and left shoes equally and then retighten the nuts securely.
• Loosen all the nuts holding the scraper and adjust the scraper to the specified ground clearance. Then, be sure to retighten the nuts securely.
• Inspect the scraper and replace it if it is excessively worn.

Of course, a little common sense goes a long way. If you think something looks wrong with your snowblower during operation, chances are, you’re right. For instance, a lack of power may indicate the need for a tune up where spark plugs are replaced and valves are adjusted. Black smoke coming out of the exhaust may indicate a “rich” condition — a common problem when operating at high-altitudes (above 5,000 ft).

In this case, your authorized dealer may suggest resetting the carburetor.
It goes without saying that when performing any type of snowblower maintenance make sure the machine is not running. For oil changes, tune-up intervals, information about replacement parts, warranty information and other best practices, you should refer to the owner’s manual specific to your own model. If you’ve lost your manual, don’t worry. Most manufacturers’ Web sites house model-specific versions of manuals for your ready-reference. And, while many maintenance issues can be addressed by the owner, more complicated service needs should be taken care of by an authorized dealer.

A Good Fitness Regimen
Remember that when you’re not actually using the snowblower, proper storage — essential for keeping your snowblower trouble free and looking good — is a must.
The following pointers will help keep rust and corrosion from impairing your snowblower’s function and appearance:
• Rinse the auger housing and wheels (or tracks) with a garden hose. Wipe the rest of the snowblower with a moist rag.
• After the snowblower has dried, touch up any damaged paint.
• Apply grease to the chute drive gear, ring gear and shift and throttle levers for lubrication.

“To ensure optimum performance and a long working life for your investment, remember to service your snowblower regularly,” advises Yeatman.

Wait! Open the Garage Door Back Up!
Did you know that gasoline oxidizes and deteriorates in storage? When left in a snowblower for long periods of time, gasoline not only causes hard starting, but also leaves gum deposits that clog the fuel system. If the gasoline in your snowblower deteriorates during storage, you may need to have the carburetor and other fuel system components serviced or replaced.

The length of time that gasoline can be left in your fuel tank and carburetor without causing functional problems will vary with such factors as gasoline blend, storage temperatures and whether the fuel tank is partially or completely filled.

“Air in a partially filled tank and very warm temperatures both promote fuel breakdown. In fact, fuel deterioration problems can occur within a few months or even sooner if the gasoline was not fresh when you originally filled the tank,” Yeatman points out.

How can you extend fuel storage life? Try adding a fuel stabilizer that is formulated for this purpose or for longer storage periods drain the fuel tank and carburetor float bowl.

What Have We Learned
“The golden rule for operating any type of power equipment is not to manhandle the machine and this holds true for your snowblower,” said Yeatman. “Above all else — let it do the work.” After all, that’s why you discarded your shovel and bought a snowblower in the first place, isn’t it?

Now, you can close the garage door and go back in the house to enjoy some toasted marshmallows by the fire. And hope for some more snow.

Dennis Blanton is a manager in the field service division at Honda Power Equipment, Alpharetta, Ga.

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