MEMBER SIGN IN
Not a member? Become one today!
         iBerkshires     Berkshire Chamber     Berkshire Community College     City of Pittsfield    
Search
Getting Your Snow Thrower Ready For Winter
Sponsored Content,
02:11PM / Thursday, September 21, 2017
Print | Email  

Winter is not far away. Is your snowblower ready?


HD Reynolds in Cheshire carries a full line ot Ariens snowblowers.

If you're like most of us, you probably used your snow thrower a lot last winter. But then, winter finally came to an end, and you could put your snow thrower away.

If you had fuel in the gas tank at that time and haven't thought about it since, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise when you want to use it again.

Unless you used a fuel stabilizer that is specifically formulated to deal with the ethanol in today's gasoline, or drained the fuel tank and carburetor completely, your snow thrower may not start when you need it this winter. Today's gasoline tends to go stale fairly quickly.

To check your machine out and get it ready for winter, you can follow these simple steps:

1. If you have fuel in your snow thrower fuel tank, you can try to start the engine. If it starts, you're in luck. Now shut off the engine and remove the fuel from the fuel tank with a siphon or a turkey baster. Then restart the engine and let it run until it stalls from lack of fuel. The reason for this is that while the engine started on this old fuel today, it will most likely not work in a month or so when the temperature is close to freezing. 

2. Next, we recommend buying a can of ethanol-free fuel. We carry a product made by VP Fuel that comes in cans as small as a quart. The benefit of this fuel is that it has a two-year shelf life. Put a pint or two into your gas tank and start the engine. Let it run for a couple of minutes to flush out the fuel system and then shut off the engine. 

Now you are ready for snow. Even if you don't need your snow thrower until next season, it should still start with no problems.  

 

What if it doesn't start?

If your snow thrower will not start on the fuel currently in the tank, then remove the old fuel with a siphon or a turkey baster. 

Again, we recommend buying a can of ethanol free fuel like VP Fuel. Put a half pint or so into your snow thrower and press the primer several times. Then try to start the engine. (Tip: If your snow thrower has an electric starter, use it. It will turn the engine over faster and more continuously than you can with the rope starter. Engines that have been stored with fuel in them tend to start harder if they haven't been run in a while.) If it starts, let it run for 10 minutes or so to flush out the carburetor and fuel lines and to distribute the ethanol free fuel throughout the fuel system.

At this point you're ready for winter.  Even if you don't need to use your snow thrower for several months, the VP fuel should ensure that it starts easily.

 

Still no luck?

If your snow thrower still will not start, it most likely needs to have the carburetor cleaned. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, you can call us to schedule your machine for service.

Unless there is a snowstorm sooner, we recommend waiting until mid-November to purchase fuel from the gas pump for your snow thrower. And even then, it's best not to put it into the gas tank until you are ready to use your machine.

First, pick up some fuel stabilizer that is formulated to deal with ethanol. (We sell a product called Ethanol Shield that works very well.) When you get ready to buy fuel, put the appropriate amount of stabilizer in your gas can and then pump the fuel in after it. This will mix it in thoroughly. We recommend buying either 89 or 93 octane (mid-grade or premium) and only as much as you need to carry you through the next 30 days or so. By adding the stabilizer when you purchase the gas, you slow down the deterioration process when the gas is at its freshest and you ensure that there will only be stabilized fuel in your snow thrower. After all, you never know how long it will stand idle before the next storm.

The old saying "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" is certainly true here. Better to take care of this now so that your snow thrower is ready when you need it for that first snowstorm. If you have any questions about this, feel free to call us at 413-743-9512.

 

Fuel Disposal

It is a good idea to dispose of any fuel you remove from the engine, along with any other left over fuel from the summer. Fuel deteriorates over time and makes engines hard to start and run poorly (or not at all). In addition, gas purchased in the summer does not start or burn well at colder temperatures and gas purchased in the winter can cause vapor lock in the engine if you try to use it in the summer. 

It is a good idea to buy just a one-month supply of gas and at the end of the season; you can use what is left in your car. Never put fuel in your car that you suspect may be contaminated or that will not run in your power equipment. Always dispose of old fuel safely. You may need to find out how and when you can dispose of hazardous waste in your community. You can check at your local dump, transfer station or town/city hall.

To minimize the chance of having to deal with old fuel, always use a fuel stabilizer that is specifically formulated to deal with the ethanol in today's gasoline. Make sure to add the stabilizer at the time you purchase the gas, and only buy enough gas to carry you through the next 30 days or so.

We hope the information we have put together here is helpful to you. If you have any questions about it, or if you would like to schedule your snow thrower for seasonal maintenance, give us a call at 413-743-9512

P.S. Want a quick refresher on how to operate or maintain your snow thrower? Check out the videos we have posted on our website and our YouTube channel.

James Reynolds is co-owner with his brother George of H.D. Reynolds Gen. Mdse., Inc., a full service power equipment dealership in Cheshire, Mass. He may be contacted at www.ReynoldsLawnMower.com or by e-mail at jim@ReynoldsLawnMower.com.

Comments
More Featured Stories
Pittsfield.com is owned and operated by: Boxcar Media 106 Main Sreet, P.O. Box 1787 North Adams, MA 01247 -- T. 413-663-3384
© 2008 Boxcar Media LLC - All rights reserved