5-POINT PRINTABLE SNOWBLOWER OR SNOW THROWER END OF SEASON CHECKLIST

End-of-season maintenance for your snowblower or snow thrower is a must.

When the last snowflake has fallen and you are ready to retire your snowblower or snow thrower to its storage place for the season this spring, do it the right way. To increase the life expectancy of your outdoor power equipment, follow these simple guidelines to protect both the body and the motor. You may only use it for a few months out of the year, but failing to prepare for storage and the next season can be a costly mistake. The ROP Shop's Rugged U can help you out. At the bottom of this page, we provide a printable version for annual use.

First things first when doing any work on outdoor power equipment is to make sure you are in an environmentally friendly place to do all of your spring maintenance, like a garage or driveway where spillage or leaking fluid will not drain into the ground or water supply. Be sure to also have cleanup materials and rags handy as well.

1. FUEL SYSTEM

Due to snowblowers having a longer downtime than most outdoor power equipment, it is best practice to run your snowblower out of gas at the end of the season. This helps prevent any old gas from being in the carburetor, fuel lines, or fuel tank the following season.

However, if you just filled the tank or do not want to run the tank dry, there are other options. If the fuel in your tank is older than one week, drain the fuel system. Many snowblowers have a fuel shut-off valve that will allow you to run the carburetor dry of gas, while still leaving the tank full. Before shutting the gas line off, Add a fuel stabilizer according to the manufacturer's instructions on the stabilizer bottle. Let the engine run for at least five minutes allowing it to blend, then shut off the valve, allowing the carburetor to run dry and the engine to stop on its own. Next season you will want to mix good gas with stabilized gas. If your snowblower engine is electronically fuel-injected, simply turn off the ignition key.

If you need a fuel stabilizer, or if your fuel system shows any signs of potential problems, The ROP Shop sells many of the replacement parts you need. The fuel system parts we sell include Carburetor Rebuild Kits, Carburetors, Starter Drive Gear Pinions, Fuel Shut-off Valves, and Ignition Coil Modules.

2. LUBRICATION

Apply an amount of grease to the Spindle Bearings and gears inside the unit. Avoid any grease contact with the friction disc or drive pulley. Also, apply a small amount of grease along the hex shaft, axle shafts You will want to pump grease into the pinion shaft as well.

If your unit has chain links, apply lubricating oil to them, wiping away any excess when done. Do the same to the axle ends.

Examine your Shear Pins or bolts for wear and damage. Also, examine any Hair or Cotter Pins. If you find any wear or need to replace the parts mentioned above, contact The ROP Shop. With the shear bolts out of the augers, pump grease into the shaft fittings. In order to help move the grease through the shaft, use your hand to spin the augers. Reinstall the Shear Pins/Bolts if they do not need to be replaced.

3. CLEAN

Clean and remove salt and any other residue that may be corrosive, from your unit. You can do this by using soap and water from a water bucket or water hose. It is not recommended to use a high-pressure water delivery system for cleaning your unit, this may cause irreparable damage.

4. OTHER GENERAL MAINTENANCE

A few other things to review before storage is an oil change if needed. Check the Muffler for wear and rust. If you use Tire Chains, look them over for damage along with any Tensioners that may need to be replaced. If your unit needs them, The ROP Shop can also provide Inner Tubes as well. If you use hearing protection or earmuffs with Bluetooth, you will want to be sure they still work and then remove the batteries before storing them. You can replace them with fresh batteries the following winter.

5. STORAGE

It is best to store your snowblower someplace dry and free of excessive humidity. Cover your unit if you can to help prevent marring, animal nesting, or unwanted material in the air from landing on it.