In Lancaster the snowblower can sit for weeks or months between storms, then it has to start on the first heavy snowfall. A little prep in the fall makes that morning easier. This is a general checklist, not a repair guide. Your owner’s manual is the final word on your machine.
Fall snowblower checklist
- Start with the owner’s manual. It lists the engine oil type and capacity, the spark plug, belt and shear pin part numbers, and the maintenance schedule for your model.
- Deal with last season’s fuel. Gas that sat all summer can go stale. Follow the manual’s advice on draining or treating fuel, and start the season with fresh gas.
- Check the engine oil. On a 4-stroke engine, check the level and change the oil if it’s due by the manual’s schedule. On a 2-stroke snowblower, the oil is mixed into the fuel at the ratio the manufacturer specifies. The 2-stroke mix calculator does the math.
- Look at the spark plug. Replace it if it’s worn or fouled, and set the gap to the manual’s spec.
- Check the shear pins. Shear pins are made to break if the auger hits something hard. Make sure they’re intact and keep a few spares of the correct type for your model.
- Inspect the belts. Look for cracks, fraying or glazing, and check the adjustment against the manual.
- Check the auger, scraper bar and skid shoes. Look for wear or damage, and set the skid shoes for your surface, since gravel and pavement usually need different heights.
- Work the chute and controls. Make sure the chute turns, the deflector moves and the control cables work. Lubricate where the manual says to.
- Check tires or tracks. Set tire pressure to the spec on the tire or in the manual, and check chains if you use them.
- Do a test run before the snow. Start it on a dry day, so there’s time to fix anything before you need it.
Safety first: do maintenance with the engine off and the spark plug wire disconnected. Never clear a clogged chute or auger by hand. Shut the engine off, wait for everything to stop moving, and use a clearing tool.
Find the right AMSOIL products for your machine
Oil type, viscosity and fuel requirements depend on your engine and the temperatures it runs in. Instead of guessing, check your owner’s manual and use AMSOIL’s official lookup guide to see which AMSOIL products are listed for your equipment.
AMSOIL also makes 100% Synthetic Small-Engine Oil in more than one viscosity. Go by your owner’s manual and the lookup guide for the viscosity your engine calls for.
AMSOIL fuel products for stored equipment
AMSOIL lists snowblowers among the equipment these two fuel products are made for. Here’s how AMSOIL describes them on amsoil.com. Read the label for dosing.
- AMSOIL Gasoline Stabilizer. AMSOIL says it “keeps fuel from deteriorating during storage for up to 12 months, allowing easier startups,” resists the formation of varnish and gum, and is effective in ethanol-blended fuel. AMSOIL lists it for two- and four-stroke engines, including snowblowers, mowers, chainsaws and generators.
- AMSOIL Quickshot Gasoline Treatment and Stabilizer. AMSOIL says it “helps prevent water-induced ethanol separation and breakdown,” cleans gummed or dirty carburetors and injectors, and stabilizes fuel during short-term storage. AMSOIL lists it for two- and four-stroke gasoline engines, including snowblowers.
Product details are summarized from amsoil.com. See each product page for the full description and product data sheet.
Order online, ships to you
B & M Lubricants is an Independent AMSOIL Dealer in Lancaster. Look up your equipment, order online, and it ships to your door. If you keep a garage full of equipment, Preferred Customer pricing can add up. For mowers, saws, ATVs and more, see small engine & powersports.