Nope got those too!
At least I do anyways...
Snow Blower Warm Up Time?
- Thread starter demarpaint
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5-10 seconds, aka how long it takes me to let the starter rope return and turn the choke off. I don't like to spend any more time out in the cold than I have to!
It's a 2 stroke so no sump oil to warm up, and I've never had to junk a snowblower due to engine problems...just rust and wear on the rest of the machine.
It's a 2 stroke so no sump oil to warm up, and I've never had to junk a snowblower due to engine problems...just rust and wear on the rest of the machine.
1986 Toro 824 (Tec 8HP L-head snowking)
I don't blow any snow until it's off choke and the exhaust gases feel "hot". It also warms up faster the sooner you get the choke off (leaner mixture - more heat). I start it as per procedure (apparently starting at full throttle is important to have high enough revs to splash oil around enough for proper lubrication - it's been suggested that starting at idle is actually worse for the machine). I lower it nearly right away to about half throttle - not idle, not racing and click the choke down each notch as soon as it'll stay running that way. I usually locate the edges of the driveway and clear the porch and get going. In warmer temps we have during most storms, this is probably less than one minute.
I always run the machine at "full" operating speed - the engine is meant to run there with proper lubrication and slowing it down gets you into a screwy place in the torque curve and just doesn't move as much snow as far. The only time I'm throttled back is when I'm between houses working on a walkway and it's deafening between the brick walls at full whack.
I blow EOD at the beginning of my run, after only one or two passes of the driveway and everything's warmed up. Why? Two reasons. EOD is full of salt here and I run the rest of the driveway's clean snow to get the salt out of the machine - less rust. Also, if the machine is going to break for some reason (remember, it is a 1986) I'd rather have the plow pile done. I typically end up blowing my EOD, clearing the gutter full of EOD over 100' down to the nearest storm drain, helping anywhere from 1-9 people with their EOD or whole driveway, doing my driveway, running the machine dry after fuel shutoff, sweeping it off, and putting it away. Fun fun.
I don't blow any snow until it's off choke and the exhaust gases feel "hot". It also warms up faster the sooner you get the choke off (leaner mixture - more heat). I start it as per procedure (apparently starting at full throttle is important to have high enough revs to splash oil around enough for proper lubrication - it's been suggested that starting at idle is actually worse for the machine). I lower it nearly right away to about half throttle - not idle, not racing and click the choke down each notch as soon as it'll stay running that way. I usually locate the edges of the driveway and clear the porch and get going. In warmer temps we have during most storms, this is probably less than one minute.
I always run the machine at "full" operating speed - the engine is meant to run there with proper lubrication and slowing it down gets you into a screwy place in the torque curve and just doesn't move as much snow as far. The only time I'm throttled back is when I'm between houses working on a walkway and it's deafening between the brick walls at full whack.
I blow EOD at the beginning of my run, after only one or two passes of the driveway and everything's warmed up. Why? Two reasons. EOD is full of salt here and I run the rest of the driveway's clean snow to get the salt out of the machine - less rust. Also, if the machine is going to break for some reason (remember, it is a 1986) I'd rather have the plow pile done. I typically end up blowing my EOD, clearing the gutter full of EOD over 100' down to the nearest storm drain, helping anywhere from 1-9 people with their EOD or whole driveway, doing my driveway, running the machine dry after fuel shutoff, sweeping it off, and putting it away. Fun fun.
Originally Posted By: Craig in Canada
I blow EOD at the beginning of my run, after only one or two passes of the driveway and everything's warmed up. Why? Two reasons. EOD is full of salt here and I run the rest of the driveway's clean snow to get the salt out of the machine - less rust.
I didn't mention it earlier but I do this as well. I also figure the clean snow will help remove any salt from the street.
I blow EOD at the beginning of my run, after only one or two passes of the driveway and everything's warmed up. Why? Two reasons. EOD is full of salt here and I run the rest of the driveway's clean snow to get the salt out of the machine - less rust.
I didn't mention it earlier but I do this as well. I also figure the clean snow will help remove any salt from the street.
Just make sure your oil is warm (thin) enough to get splashed or pumped to the components it protects. Most private (inexperienced with small engines) owners put straight 30 wt oil in their 4 cycle blowers like they would a mower. I even had a few people bring theirs in with air filters rigged up because after a few years of using, they noticed there wasn't one on their machine.
Originally Posted By: yeehaw1960
Just make sure your oil is warm (thin) enough to get splashed or pumped to the components it protects. Most private (inexperienced with small engines) owners put straight 30 wt oil in their 4 cycle blowers like they would a mower. I even had a few people bring theirs in with air filters rigged up because after a few years of using, they noticed there wasn't one on their machine.
Say it isn't so
Just make sure your oil is warm (thin) enough to get splashed or pumped to the components it protects. Most private (inexperienced with small engines) owners put straight 30 wt oil in their 4 cycle blowers like they would a mower. I even had a few people bring theirs in with air filters rigged up because after a few years of using, they noticed there wasn't one on their machine.
Say it isn't so
Mine won't even start on full choke. Two pulls - max on center position, then by the time I line up the chute I take the choke off and away I go. Ariens 11 1/2 horse.
i fire it up take off choke,slam it into the snow
My dad's gotta fire it up for tomorrow... Got almost a foot of snow coming in our area. (20 CM)
We have been getting just enough snow to be a PIA, and not enough for the snow blower! My warm up time had been as long as it takes to grab the shovel and start tossing the snow. Lately the real snow just misses us.
about a minute or so after the choke is off.
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