Flexible drain tool for Craftsman snow blower

[Snagglefoot]

I needed to change the oil in this free to me Craftsman snow blower, I picked up a “ flexible drain tool.” It was $5.00 USD equivalent at Cambodian Tire. It lined up perfectly under the drain pipe on the side of the 13.5 ft lb
Briggs engine. Changed out a liter of unknown evil for a liter of Motomaster Formula 1 5w30 semi-Synthetic that was sitting on my shelf for years.

 

[hemitom]

Its to bad the drain pipe doesn't extend out the back like on the briggs powered Ariens blowers.
Buy the looks of that blower I think you got one hell of a deal !

 

[fantastic]

When I get tired of using water bottles I'll be right behind you. Nice blower.

 

[Japanese]

The tool is at a decent price, but why not just cut a 2L bottle and make it yourself?

 

[BrianF]

I just popped the wheel off, block it at an angle and dump it into a pan. I cant have nice things.

 

[nbpt100]

Those flexible funnels are great to have around. I also use one where ever it makes any sense. On a lawn tractor or snow thrower.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I also just cut a quart oil bottle. I suppose a purpose made tool is good also.

That thrower holds a lot of oil for a small engine - I am impressed!

 

[Vexorg]

Next oil change I'd see if there is enough room to run a 90 degree elbow and extend that pipe, or even replace it with a short hydraulic hose that runs out the back.

 

[spasm3]

Saw this thread and ordered one.

Great for generators that you can't get pan under.

Park it where you can set a pan lower and it's great.

 

[Marcozi]

Saw this thread and ordered one.

Great for generators that you can't get pan under.

Park it where you can set a pan lower and it's great.
View attachment 325497View attachment 325498

That stuff looks like black molasses!

 

[Ranger83]

Flexible tubes to fit Chandas are about $15.

Just changed oil in our big Ariens and little Ariens this week. The larger machine has a B&S 420cc and takes roughly 1.25 quarts. We used synthetic 0-40 as it’s very cold in NH and the machine cab be hard to pull start.

The smaller machine is in Boston and has a 208cc Ariens AX engine. Holds about 650ml of oil. We used 5w30 Synthetic, which is what Ariens recommends. It rarely gets below 0° F in Boston and the garage is heated anyway.

Also put in new NGK plugs and greased the routers.

This is the little guy. Compact 20 is great in the city.

 

[repairman54]

I just made my own ''oil director'' from an old anti freeze jug.
Just finished my 5th 5 gallon can of snowblower gas this winter, not ready to put them up yet either. Had to replace auger belts in both my blowers this winter. MTD backup blower uses 2 belts btw.
I think I'm going back to expensive OEM belts, put a used OEM belt back in that became a spare that I took out of the Ariens trying to be proactive with a fresh aftermarket before winter. I didn't last as long, and not an easy, quick change either. Used OEM belt still hanging in through the last couple of storms.
Lesson learned, just like my JD mower, no belt beats the OEM deck belts for longevity.