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7 Snow Blower Maintenance Tips for Better Performance
December 22, 2021 *
Snowblowers make the task of cleaning walkways and driveways much easier. At least they do so when kept in good repair. Consumer Reports collected surveys to understand the experiences of over 30,000 owners, and some results surprised them.
For instance, the differences in reported lifespan between various snow blowers ranged from five to over 20 years. Some manufacturers produced more durable machines than others, but the way the owner took care of their snowblower also factored in.
Seven Pre-Season Snow Blower Maintenance Tips
Make the most of a snowblower by purchasing a well-reviewed brand. After that, take at least a portion of the time saved by not having to shovel snow to keep the snow blower in good repair.
A product manager for Sears, Amanda Campana, offered these suggestions for this pre-season checklist for snow blower maintenance on the Sears Home Maintenance blog:
- Check the spark plugs: Disconnect the spark plug and unscrew it before the snowy season starts. If the spark plug appears damaged or caked with crud, replace it. Otherwise, put the original one back on.
- Inspect belts: If any belts appear cracked or worn, replace them. Before removing any of them, take a photo to help guide replacements.
- Look at the auger paddles: These paddles should touch the ground, and if they don’t, order replacements from the retailer or manufacturer.
- Inspect the plate: A shaver plate scrapes snow from the surface, and it should touch the ground. If the plate doesn’t touch the ground, it needs replacing. Some single-stage models have a reversible plate that the owner can turn around one time instead of replacing it.
- Check the skid shoes: These adjustable parts set the auger’s height on two-stage blowers. Users can flip them over once, but after that, they need replacing.
- Look for damaged shear pins: Always keep some replacements around because the manufacturer designed this part of a two-stage blower to break when the gear case and auger get overloaded.
- Change the snow blower’s oil and fill it with stabilized gasoline: Change the oil once a year, preferably before the start of the season. Snowblower users should empty the gas at the end of the season and start fresh with a new tank at the beginning.
Invest in a Snow Blower Protection Plan
A few simple maintenance steps can help ensure the machine performs well and lasts for years. At the same time, they won’t offer a 100-percent guarantee. Despite the owner’s best efforts, sometimes snow blowers need professional repairs because of wear or damage.
If owners don’t feel comfortable dealing with such problems as leaks, clogs, or physical damage, they should work with a professional to ensure high-quality, safe repairs anyway. Upsie offers affordable, high-quality extended warranties for snow blowers and other outdoor tools.
Check into a few advantages of Upsie’s protection plans for snow blowers:
- These protection plans will ensure access to certified repair services and protection from high repair bills.
- Upsie offers a choice of affordable two- and three-year protection plans. Even better, customers with claims get local or in-home repair service.
- If Upsie doesn’t find the cost of repairs feasible, they will even offer to replace the snowblower.
- Best of all, Upsie customers can call claims representatives for help 24 hours a day.
Choose a high-quality snow blower for years of relief from the back-breaking work of shoveling snow. Then select an Upsie warranty to make sure the machine remains in good working condition for several years to come.
Learn More About Snow Blowers:
* This article is over 6 months old and may or may not be updated.