Storing Snowblowers for Summer

[threeputtpar]

I've always just stored my snowblower in the corner of the garage by leaving it on the scraper blade and tires, but with my newest project I read through the user's manual and it says that Toro designed the auger bucket such that it can be stored vertically on the front of the bucket with the handles straight up to save space.

Does anyone store their blower this way for the summer? I've had it up on the bucket this way as I work on it and if the carb is drained and there's not too much gas in the tank it doens't spill anything. It would certainly save some space to store it this way.

 

[Barkleymut]

It is 20 some degrees in Virginia right now, we are expecting around 10" tonight and ur worried about summer??

it is Snowmaggedon around here, people are wondering what in the world happened to global warming, this has been the coldest winter in the 25 years I have lived here.

with lots of experience with small engines I would personally just do it like u always have.

 

[Doog]

I run mine dry on gas and then push it in the corner. In August or September I'll do new rubber blades, belt, spark plug and get her ready for another Winter. It won't hurt anything just run it dry on gas.

 

[CourierDriver]

Originally Posted By: Doog
I run mine dry on gas and then push it in the corner. In August or September I'll do new rubber blades, belt, spark plug and get her ready for another Winter. It won't hurt anything just run it dry on gas.
good idea

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Another one for running it dry.

I usually run it dry, then pull the spark plug and put a few drops of oil in the cylinder and put the spark plug back on.

 

[demarpaint]

I fill it up, mix in MMO and Stabil. Then I run it for about 30 minutes, fog it, shut it down and change the oil. I pull the plug and drop some oil into the cylinder. I shut off the gate valve, I put in the plug and pull the cord a few times. I move it to it's off season spot and cover it. The machine starts just fine the next season.

From the sound of the weather forecast it will be getting a workout again tomorrow.

 

[Donald]

If you store the snowblower in a position other than its normal position, the engine oil may leak out or into the carb, etc.

I am not tight on space so I just store mine on some sections of wood. I normally run it dry.

Over the summer I may touch up the paint since I got some rust and flacking paint.

 

[zzyzzx]

I would run it dry. And isn't it a little early to be worrying about that?

 

[147_Grain]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I fill it up, mix in MMO and Stabil. Then I run it for about 30 minutes, fog it, shut it down and change the oil. I pull the plug and drop some oil into the cylinder. I shut off the gate valve, I put in the plug and pull the cord a few times. I move it to it's off season spot and cover it. The machine starts just fine the next season.

From the sound of the weather forecast it will be getting a workout again tomorrow.


Good advice and what I do each year for storage.

 

[ronbo]

If you store it as you mentioned, you might have a hydro-lock problem with the oil. It happens to me when I tip my lawnmower to clean the bottom. Have to let it rest a day to start.

I would call manufacturer on correct procedure.

Myself I run gas dry, drain oil and refill. Silicone spray auger area. Fill tires and check them a few tires in summer for pressure. Grease auger fittings. I never replace plug or put oil in piston thru spark plug hole. Been using snow blowers since 1967.

 

[eljefino]

Is this a two stroke single stage? They may have different rules.

 

[Warstud]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I fill it up, mix in MMO and Stabil. Then I run it for about 30 minutes, fog it, shut it down and change the oil. I pull the plug and drop some oil into the cylinder. I shut off the gate valve, I put in the plug and pull the cord a few times. I move it to it's off season spot and cover it.


What DP said... Plus run it a few times during the summer. Running the gas out of it... dries up the seals and causes leaks.

 

[threeputtpar]

http://www.toro.com/en-us/parts/Pages/Pa...ntRpMgJmh6rhrY+

I don't know how to link a PDF, so this is where I found the info on storing it upright. Operator's manual, page 18 at the bottom of the second column. Number 8 says that it can be stored in an upright position after the fuel and oil are drained.

 

[jeepman3071]

Originally Posted By: threeputtpar
http://www.toro.com/en-us/parts/Pages/Pa...ntRpMgJmh6rhrY+

I don't know how to link a PDF, so this is where I found the info on storing it upright. Operator's manual, page 18 at the bottom of the second column. Number 8 says that it can be stored in an upright position after the fuel and oil are drained.


If the fuel and oil are drained you should have no problems storing it like that. Just remember to fill it with oil before using it.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Warstud
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I fill it up, mix in MMO and Stabil. Then I run it for about 30 minutes, fog it, shut it down and change the oil. I pull the plug and drop some oil into the cylinder. I shut off the gate valve, I put in the plug and pull the cord a few times. I move it to it's off season spot and cover it.


What DP said... Plus run it a few times during the summer. Running the gas out of it... dries up the seals and causes leaks.



I don't run mine during the summer, when I'm done prepping it for storage it stays off. She fires up with ease the next winter. I found running them dry can cause the problems you mentioned and was more of a PITA when it came time to start it the next year. Obviously opinions vary.

 

[threeputtpar]

Originally Posted By: jeepman3071
Originally Posted By: threeputtpar
http://www.toro.com/en-us/parts/Pages/Pa...ntRpMgJmh6rhrY+

I don't know how to link a PDF, so this is where I found the info on storing it upright. Operator's manual, page 18 at the bottom of the second column. Number 8 says that it can be stored in an upright position after the fuel and oil are drained.




If the fuel and oil are drained you should have no problems storing it like that. Just remember to fill it with oil before using it.

That was my thought, too. Luckily the wife is allergic to snow removal, so no worries about her just firing it up without oil.

 

[eljefino]

Originally Posted By: threeputtpar
http://www.toro.com/en-us/parts/Pages/Pa...ntRpMgJmh6rhrY+

I don't know how to link a PDF, so this is where I found the info on storing it upright. Operator's manual, page 18 at the bottom of the second column. Number 8 says that it can be stored in an upright position after the fuel and oil are drained.


They did it to chevy vegas too! By design, even!

 

[enigma-2]

Here's what my MTD snow thrower engine manual has to say about storage:
Off-Season Storage

CAUTION: Failure to use a fuel stabilizing additive or completely run the engine until it’s out of fuel before off-season storage may result in damage to your engine’s carburetor. Subsequent damage would not be covered under the manufacturer’s warranty.

Engines stored between 30 and 90 days need to be treated with a gasoline stabilizer and engines stored over 90 days need to be drained of fuel to prevent deterioration and gum from forming in fuel system or on essential carburetor parts. If the gasoline in your engine deteriorates during storage, you may need to have the carburetor, and other fuel system components, serviced or replaced.

1. Remove all fuel from tank by running engine until it stops from lack of fuel.
WARNING! Never leave engine unattended while it is running.
2. Change the oil. See Changing the Oil earlier in this section.
3. Remove the spark plug and pour approximately a 1/2-ounce of engine oil into the cylinder. Replace spark plug and crank it slowly to distribute oil.
4. Clean debris from around the engine and the muffler. Touch up any damaged paint, and coat other areas that may rust with a light film of oil.
5. Store in a clean, dry and well ventilated area away from any appliance that operates with a flame or pilot light, such as a furnace, water heater, or clothes dryer. Also avoid any area with a spark producing electric motor, or where power tools are operated.
6. If possible, also avoid storage areas with high humidity, because that promotes rust and corrosion.
7. Keep the engine level in storage. Tilting can cause fuel or oil leakage.

 

[Kestas]

I wish manufacturers would install a feature where it is easy to drain the fuel from your system, and not just the tank. A long time ago I worked on a Honda generator that had this feature. Just a turn of the valve allowed the fuel to drain.

 

[SHOZ]

On my generator and snowblower there is a plug you remove to drain the fuel. Both fairly new. The snowblower plug is painted a bright aqua color, hard to miss.