With the first significant storm headed for Michigan this weekend, it might be time for people to put those snowblowers to use after a December that was among the least snowiest on record.
If you do have a snowblower, make sure to heed these five tips before getting them ready to use again, according to Ariens, a Wisconsin-based manufacturer of snowblowers.
Recommended Videos
1. Check the oil
With the snowblower being idle for months, it’s likely the machine will need some new oil. To change the oil, unscrew the drain plug at the bottom of the engine, drain the old oil into a catch pan, replace the drain plug and fill new oil to the spec of the manufacturer.
2. Put in fresh fuel
In addition to having new oil, making sure having fresh gas put in is important. If the fuel system is a little jammed after leaving it idle for so many months, inserting a system cleaner or replacing a carburetor could also be a good idea.
3. Check the spark plugs
Once fuel and oil are inserted, the next step is making sure the spark plug is in good working order. The plug ignites the fuel to make power, and they can wear out after a couple of years worth of use. If they are worn out, then putting in a new spark plug is a good idea. You can do so by unscrewing the old plug with a socket wrench, put the new one in and tighten it with the same wrench.
4. Make sure the belt system isn’t worn out
The machines have a belt system that eventually suffer wear and tear. If that is the case, pulling the old belts off and putting on fresh ones is a good idea. Click or tap here for a video on how to change belts.
5. Check the skid shoes
These not only keep your snowblower at the right height, but it also protects your pavement. The skid shoes wear down with use, so they either rotate them or replace them. Click or tap here for a video on how to replace skid shoes.