Snow Throwers - Maintenance Tips


How often should I change the engine oil?

The engine oil should be changed after the initial five hours of operation. Oil changes should then be performed after every 50 hours of operation or every season.

Please refer to your engine Owner's Manual for specific oil viscosity, changing, and checking information.

How is the engine oil level checked?

  1. Place engine level and clean around oil fill.
  2. Wipe with clean cloth, insert and tighten down again.
  3. Remove dipstick and check oil level. Oil should be at FULL mark.
  4. If oil is required, add slowly. Do not overfill.
OR
  1. Remove oil filler plug.
  2. Oil should be full to overflowing.
  3. Tighten dipstick or oil filler plug firmly before starting

Please refer to your engine Owner's Manual for specific oil viscosity, changing, and checking information.

How can I prepare my engine for storage?

FUEL
  1. Top off the fuel tank with Briggs & Stratton Fuel Stabilizer treated gas before storing.
  2. Filling the tank helps prevent moisture from condensing in your fuel tank, and stops rust and scale before it starts.
  3. Run the engine for a few minutes to circulate the additive through the carburetor. The fuel stabilizer will help prevent gum from forming in the fuel system or on essential carburetor parts.
  4. If you choose not to use the Briggs & Stratton Fuel Stabilizer, or if the engine is using fuel containing alcohol, such as gasohol, remove all fuel from the tank and run the engine until it stops from lack of fuel.
OIL
  1. While the engine is still warm, change the oil and the oil filter (if equipped).

Please refer to your engine Owner's Manual for specific engine storage information.

How are the auger shear pins replaced?

The augers are secured to the auger shaft with special shear pins that are designed to break if an object becomes lodged in the auger housing. Replace a broken shear pin as follows:

  1. Tap out the broken shear pin with a pin punch.
  2. Install a new shear pin and cotter pin. Bend the ends of the cotter pin down.

Please refer to your equipment Owner's Manual for specific safety and repair procedures.

How is the friction wheel adjusted?

If the snow thrower will not move forward, check the traction drive belt, the traction drive cable, or the friction wheel. If the friction wheel is worn or damaged, it must be replaced.

Please refer to your equipment Owner's Manual for specific safety and adjustment procedures.

When should the cables adjusted?

The cables are adjusted at the factory and no adjustment should be necessary. If the cables have become stretched or are sagging adjustment will be necessary. Whenever belts are adjusted or replaced, the cables will need to be adjusted.

Please refer to your equipment Owner's Manual for specific cable safety and adjustment procedures.

How are the belts adjusted?

The auger and traction drive belts should be adjusted after the first 2 to 4 hours of use, again about mid-season and twice each season thereafter.

Traction Drive Belt
If the traction drive belt is slipping, replace the belt.

Auger Drive Belt
If your snow thrower will not discharge snow, check the control cable adjustment. If it is correct, then check the condition of the auger drive belt. If it is damaged or loose, replace it.

Please refer to the your equipment Owner's Manual for specific belt safety and adjustment/replacement procedures.

What areas of the equipment need to be lubricated?

Auger Shaft Fittings
Using a hand grease gun, lubricate the auger shaft fittings every ten operating hours. Each time a shear pin is replaced, the auger shaft must be greased.

Free-Hand Linkage
Check the function of the Free-Hand controls. It is critical for the safe operation of the unit that the controls disengage when released.

If the controls do not function properly, lubricate the controls. Under no circumstances should the unit be used if the controls do not function properly.

Chute Rotation Gear
Lubricate the chute rotation gear and shaft with automotive type oil every twenty-five operating hours.

Lubrication At Storage
All bearings and bushing are lifetime lubricated and require no maintenance.

For storage, the hex shaft should be wiped with a cloth moistened with motor oil to prevent rusting and the chains should be lubricated with a chain type lube.

NOTE: Any greasing or oiling of the above mentioned components can cause contamination of the rubber friction wheel. If the disc drive plate or friction wheel come in contact with grease or oil damage to rubber friction wheel will result.

If grease or oil comes into contact with the disc drive plate or friction wheel, make sure to clean plate and wheel thoroughly with an alcohol bas solvent.

Please refer to the your equipment Owner's Manual for specific lubrication procedures.

How should my equipment be prepared for storage?

If the snow thrower will be stored for thirty days or more at the end of the snow season, the following steps are recommended to prepare your snow thrower for storage.

  1. Thoroughly clean the snow thrower.
  2. Lubricate all lubrication points.
  3. Make sure all nuts, bolts, and screws are securely fastened. Inspect all visible moving parts for damage, breakage, and wear. Replace if necessary.
  4. Touch up all rusted or chipped point surfaces; sand lightly before painting.
  5. Cover the bare metal parts of the snow thrower housing, auger, and the impeller with rust preventative.
  6. If possible, store your snow thrower indoors and cover it to give protection from dust and dirt.
  7. On models with folding handles, loosen the knobs that secure the upper handle. Rotate the upper handle back.
  8. If the machine must be stored outdoors, block up the snow thrower and ensure the entire machine is off the ground. Cover the snow thrower with a heavy tarpaulin.

Please refer to the your equipment Owner's Manual for specific equipment storage procedures.

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