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Last month's freak nor'easter was winter's opening salvo to what snow blower makers like Ariens, MTD, and Toro expect will be a busy season. If you needed your snow blower to start after that storm, you already know the outcome. For everyone else, now's the time to do some last checks and fire it up. Better you know now, when there's no snow blocking your driveway, if your snow blower needs intensive care.
Need some basics on snow blowers? A comprehensive piece we've just posted to our website, "Clear the snow—not your bank account," reveals the news from our latest tests and also provides pointers on maintenance and safety, along with other helpful tips for anyone now in the market. But as for that misbehaving snow blower? A few tips to getting it started:
• If you left gas in there from last season, siphon it out. Before filling up with fresh gas, mix in fuel stabilizer.
• Take out your spark plug. If it's only a year or so old, give its electrode a good cleaning and screw it back in. If you don't recall when you last replaced it, do it now; be sure it's properly gapped.
• While you're at it, check the oil level. Even if you don't change the oil now, ensure it's at the recommended level to protect the engine.
• If your snow blower starts but runs very roughly even after the first few minutes, you might need to spray in some carburetor cleaner. And if it starts but the auger won't turn, a belt has snapped.
Sure, the above steps can be a hassle, given our busy schedules. For me, it helps to consider the alternatives: Shoveling. And figuring out how to get my two-stage, 190-pound snow blower to the shop in a Toyota Corolla.
—Ed Perratore
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