Staying on top of basic snow blower maintenance is the key to avoiding frustration when a big snowstorm hits. We asked a member of Toro’s customer care team for a few tips to keep your machine in top working order.
Use Fresh Fuel
“Having old gasoline in the tank is the most common reason snow blowers won’t start,” explains Mark Daly, senior technical service representative for Toro. “One of the most important things you can do to promote good starting is to have fresh fuel.”
Stale gas can leave harmful deposits in your product’s fuel system, he reveals. If the gas in your snow blower is more than thirty days old and your machine won’t start. He suggests taking it to a dealer so they can remove the gas. Then put fresh gas in your tank. Adding a fuel stabilizer can help keep the gas fresh through the entire snow season.
Change the Oil
The same is true for oil. “Changing the oil at the end of the season is a good rule of thumb,” says Daly. “That way, you’re ready to go when the season starts.” If you haven’t changed the oil yet, he suggests doing so now.
Consider using oil specifically made for outdoor equipment. Toro’s full synthetic 4-cycle engine oil is designed to protect your outdoor equipment. This oil contains higher anti-wear additives not found in automotive oils and helps your engine start. Even in bitter cold temperatures.
Check for Debris
Another common issue during the snow blowing season is foreign objects getting stuck in the machine. “Believe it or not, the most common object to get stuck in snow blowers is the newspaper,” says Daly.
Before you set out to clear your driveway or sidewalk, be sure it’s free of debris and objects.
Routinely Inspect Your Snow Blower
Daly suggests doing a simple inspection of your snow blower, which can also help keep it in tip top shape. “Before you do any work on your machine,” he cautions, “be sure the engine is off and the spark plug wire is disconnected.”
If you have a single-stage snow blower, inspect the rotor blades for wear. When a rotor blade edge has worn down to the wear indicator hole, replace both the rotor blades and the scraper.
If you have a 2-stage snow blower, check the skids (the part attached to the side of the auger housing). This part lifts the auger and scraper off the ground, preventing the auger from coming in direct contact with the pavement. Be sure the skids don’t show signs of significant wear. If they are damaged or very thin, they need to be replaced.
Sometimes starting problems are simple operator error. Check your owner’s manual for the proper starting procedure for your machine or read our Tips to Starting Your Snow Blower.
If you like to perform your own maintenance or product repair, Toro offers genuine Toro® replacement parts online at Toro.com. Toro’s easy-to-use parts look-up tool utilizes your model and serial number to help you quickly identify the parts you need to keep your Toro equipment running like new.
