When you look out the window and see the snow piling up fast, it’s good to know that your snowblower is in perfect condition to handle the task of snow removal. A snowstorm is not the time to discover that your snowblower is going to let you down. When the drifts are piling up, you want to be ready with a snowblower ready to get the job done.
Make sure your snowblower is ready with these maintenance tips
1) Snowblower Starters: If your snowblower is hard to start up, or worse yet won’t start, the electrical starter will often be the problem. The starter provides an electric current to get the snowblower’s engine going. Of course, the starter on a snowblower must operate in cold weather, which is hard on electrical components. It’s common to replace the starter over the life of your snowblower.
2) Snowblower Fan Belt: The power from your snowblower engine is transferred to the fan and auger thanks to its fan belt. But over time, the belt will begin to wear and crack. The first sign of a problem is slippage, and the worst-case scenario is total failure by breaking. If your belt is fraying, showing cracks or producing a squealing sound, it’s time for a belt replacement.
3) Snowblower Scraper Bar: These blade-like accessories help give you a clean surface free of snow as your snowblower passes over driveways and sidewalks. Without a good scraper bar, a layer of snow can be left behind to melt and refreeze as an ice layer. With a lot of surface contact, scraper bars will become worn and damaged with ordinary use. To keep pavement clear right down to the surface, it’s recommended to replace the scraper bar periodically.
4) Snowblower Paddle: Another accessory that plays a role in cleanly removing snow down to the pavement surface is the snowblower paddle. These accessories are generally used on single stage snowblowers. They gather snow and direct it to the discharge chute. Because they have surface contact, they wear out and require replacement when the surface isn’t being thoroughly cleared of snow.
5) Snowblower Skid Shoes: These snowblower accessories help protect both your pavement and snowblower itself. They slightly lift the snowblower, preventing damage to the driveway or sidewalk surface and avoiding damage to the auger and snowblower housing. Skid shoes are especially important on uneven surfaces and gravel driveways to reduce the likelihood of throwing stones.
Be ready to tackle the woes of winter with a properly working snowblower
Winter can be brutal, but you can take back control by keeping your snowblower in tiptop working order. Winter storms don’t happen on your schedule, so make sure your snowblower is ready to get to work before the next big bone-chilling storm hits.
