Fall Preparations. Three articles. By Christina O'Brien, Chris McDonald and Michelle Libby

Snowblower pre-season tune up

By Chris McDonald, Owner of Windham Powersports

It’s never too early to prepare for winter and provision can begin today. None of us want to be stuck in the cold with a broken or non-working machine. Being prepared is essential for success in this area. Finding a local shop to handle your pre-season tune up on your machine is recommended, however some feel confident enough to do these items themselves. Below you will find a typical tune up list of what is included with a pre-season tune up like the one offered at Windham Powersports, 646 Roosevelt Trail in Windham

Checklist:

-Check ignition system, carburetor, throttle, shear pins and choke controls. Clean engine cooling fins. Change oil.

-Check manual starter and electric starter if so equipped.

-Replace spark plug.

Lubricate Machinery:

-Lubricate moving parts: pivot points, cables, auger shaft, and drive plate zerk.

-Lubricate, inspect, and adjust drive belts and/or chains as applicable.

Test Equipment:

-Test overall operation of equipment and ensure that all safety features are fully operational at the time of service.

-Oil is typically included. Replacement parts, repair service, labor for repairs and tax are additional.

Highlights:

Be sure to use and keep fresh fuel available for your machine. Higher octane levels will help reduce ethanol consumption and improve overall performance of your snow blower as well; use of fuel additives can create problems for small engines unless specifically designed for that use. K100 is a great product to use to extend the life of your fuel.

Starting will be easier if the spark plug is in good condition. If in doubt, replace it. A new spark plug will be able to better ignite the fuel air mixture within the engine. You should also make sure the spark plug wire securely attaches to the spark plug.

Review the starting procedures outlined in the operator’s manual, including the proper operation of the safety features on your unit.

Annual Inspection:
Before each season, inspect the rotor blades for wear. When a rotor blade edge has worn down to the wear indicator hole, both rotor blades and the scraper should be replaced.  Inspect the drive belt for fraying, cracking or signs of stretching. Replace the drive belt if any of these conditions occur. It is recommended to have an extra belt on hand in the event the belt breaks while operating. Check for any loose fasteners and tighten as necessary. Missing fasteners should be replaced immediately.