I got Ariens Compact 24 in. Two-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower Model 920014 this winter and it saved me from lots of shovel...

Now the winter is almost over. What kind of maintenance work I need to do before I put it in storage?

Thanks.

 

First place to start is the owner's manual; the guys who built it probably know best. After that, you will probably get several opinions. I never change the oil in anything at the end of the season. If condensation forms in the off season, I want to drain it out, so, whether the snow thrower, rototiller, pressure washer, mower, or whatever, I start and let them warm up the first time that I need them at the beginning of the season, shut them off, and change the oil. Check it out ahead of time, and, if necessary, repipe the drain, maybe a longer nipple, add an elbow, or whatever, so that it's easy to drain. I check tire pressure regularly, but definitely before putting it away, make sure that the tires are properly inflated. The pressure will increase and decrease with temperature changes, but the tires will handle that; don't put it away with under or over inflated tires. I like to add some Seafoam to the fuel, run the engine about 10-15 minutes, shut the fuel valve off, let it run out, and then fill the tank with fresh fuel. Levers, I like a dab of anti-seize, but just a shot of white lithium will work; put it on, and work the levers a few times. And make sure that everything is in neutral, or whatever, so that the belts are not under tension. Not complaining at all, but my 'tiller and snow thrower are over 25 years old, and my mower passed 20 this past year, and this has what has worked for me.

 

great tips. thank you. Just stored snow blower and get the lawn mower out.

 

Like what Pedro does. A bit of overkill but it works. I just make sure that the egnine is either full of gas with Stabil or totaly empty including the carb. Store it and start it the next season. I change oil if it needs it via estimating the number of hours its been running. Usually about every two years.

 

I might be backasswards but I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would put an engine in storage with dirty contaminated oil in it. It turns black for a reason.

For someone to spend a thousand or two for a snowblower and then balk at $5 once or twice a year just....I don't know....seems crazy to me.

 

I've gone round this argument many times. Its not the cost but the time and effort. Plus its a waste of a dwindling resource. First, color of oil means nothing! Second, today's oil exceeds engine manufactures specifications. Third, there are hundreds of people that keep year old oil with less than 20 hours of running time per year with no ill affects what so ever. In my case, usually my lawnmower or other gas engine appliances get a once every two year oil change and the fact that I just don't put on the hours that warrant a change the color (stays clear) hardly changes in that time period. Change air filter every year and that will do more good than an oil change. And don't get me started on spark plugs. Nowadays they virtually last for the life of the machine.

Even on cars, 3000 thru 4000 mile oil change intervals is a waste.

 

Around here, our SnowBlowers aren't equipped with Air Filters; thought being that the element would just ice up and choke the engine to death.

I'd retrofit one to my MTD Blower (AKA White Outdoor Equipment) if I thought there was a way to do it.