That time Snowblower maintenance

[#18FAN]

Time of year for maintenance on the snowblower
I post this mainly for the the electric chute control yearly I pull the switches out to clean contacts they will fail.
changed oil last year and run it for about 3 year’s before changing Amsoil 0w40.
inspect belts fire it up 2pulls this year disappointing I didn’t get it in 1 running VPracing C9 since new never a issue starting.
Below pics of chute controllers torn apart to clean contacts.

 

[pghvolvo]

I do mine once a year. The oil gets changed every year and the spark plug gets changed out every three years.

 

[BrianF]

I do mine around end of season, so I don't forget. Although my oil changes vary.

I run a Murray built John Deere 1028e and have those same damm switches. I tried sil Glyde for a couple seasons and had to clean the contacts numerous times during. I now run fluid film and so far so good.

 

[rob1715]

We're getting ready for Winter here, too. Bought a new pair of flip-flops. Only the strong survive.

 

[TnT_M]

got my Snow King ready today. The old girl still runs pretty good for a 2004. I changed the oil and went with Super Tech FS 10W30 high mileage. The machine is kept in my garage so not worried about the 10W30. I also changed the auger belt and drive belt for the first time. I ordered a start as well. That stopped working about the second to last snow last year. I pull started it today but for $65 I can put a new Amazon starter on it. Seems easier to me..

Just my $0.02

 

[JC1]

What make of snowblower is that? I've got my Toro ready to go. Just sold my 24 inch Sears Craftsman snowblower today.

 

[93cruiser]

I have an ariens 824 that broke last year during a 3 foot storm. Both the pull start and the drive linkage. To note, the 824 electric start is broken.
I fixed it by purchasing a new ariens 254cc, although I think it's 7.2 hp compared to my old 8 hp.
I ordered a pull start and will work on the linkage when it comes in and I will have a backup.
I got the 824 for 250 bucks over 5 years ago so it's been a good machine purchased used until its not, ha.
I fired up the new machine today and all was well it appears. I'll run it for a few more minutes, change the oil, and be ready.

 

[#18FAN]

What make of snowblower is that? I've got my Toro ready to go. Just sold my 24 inch Sears Craftsman snowblower today.

Simplicity 13hp 30inch cut Absolutely blows a lot of snow wet deep it don’t matter out blows anything I have owned including Honda.

 

[JC1]

Simplicity 13hp 30inch cut Absolutely blows a lot of snow wet deep it don’t matter out blows anything I have owned including Honda. View attachment 75307

Nice machine.

I decided to upgrade my snowblower this year from a 5.5 HP 24 inch Craftsman to a Toro 826 (with a Tecumseh 10.5 HP). The wet snow at the bottom of the driveway was a pain when the city plows come by. I'm on the man street of the subdivision and some days they can come by 10+ times a day.

 

[repairman54]

Both my blowers get serviced in the spring before storage. This way I can check for cracked belts and worn friction drive wheels before the next winter so I'm not halfway down the driveway and they crap out. Experience educated me LOL .

 

[TnT_M]

Both my blowers get serviced in the spring before storage. This way I can check for cracked belts and worn friction drive wheels before the next winter so I'm not halfway down the driveway and they crap out. Experience educated me LOL .

LOL, good plan. I am just happy to put mine away in the spring! My neighbors give me crap because I get my snow blower out in September or early October (I am late this year). But like you this gives me some time to look it over and get it ready. Besides guess who's machine fires right up when the first snow comes...

Just my $0.02

 

[repairman54]

Nice machine.

I decided to upgrade my snowblower this year from a 5.5 HP 24 inch Craftsman to a Toro 826 (with a Tecumseh 10.5 HP). The wet snow at the bottom of the driveway was a pain when the city plows come by. I'm on the man street of the subdivision and some days they can come by 10+ times a day.

Wait until you see how the big blower chews through the plow mounds vs the old 5 hp one.
I was amazed when I did the 5 hp to 8 hp switch years ago.

 

[JC1]

Wait until you see how the big blower chews through the plow mounds vs the old 5 hp one.
I was amazed when I did the 5 hp to 8 hp switch years ago.

Yes I'm in no hurry to wish for snow! What I'll appreciate is that I can wait longer before I go to clean the driveway since the added HP can tackle heavy snow.

I just got my LED light from Amazon. That will be this weekend's project to install it.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

I check last month to make sure my Toro HD826 OXE would start. I did - but then it didn't go into "gear".
I emptied the oil ( which was good) tipped it on its nose and took the bottom pan off.

Toro never lubed this thing at ALL from the factory! It is but three seasons in service.
The friction wheel lay shaft was rusted and the friction wheel hub seized to it. The shaft is hexagonal.
I took some red ScotchBrite to it, wiped it with a rag then with Mobil 1 0W40FS oil a couple times, put a bit of oil on the chains and sprockets. Freed it up, tested it, then closed it up. Somehow I didnt have to take either wheel off to do this.

After this winter I'll have to get the appropriate grease. My grease gun "disappeared" I think I leant it out and never got it back.

 

[repairman54]

Yes I'm in no hurry to wish for snow! What I'll appreciate is that I can wait longer before I go to clean the driveway since the added HP can tackle heavy snow.

I just got my LED light from Amazon. That will be this weekend's project to install it.

You'll need a full wave rectifier to convert the blower engines AC light coil to DC for the LED. Incandescent bulbs don't care if they run on AC or DC as they are only voltage dependent.
I've done that on both of my old 'blowers that had no lights on them. They had light coils though for the optional light. Did it on my lawn tractors also.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Wait until you see how the big blower chews through the plow mounds vs the old 5 hp one.
I was amazed when I did the 5 hp to 8 hp switch years ago.

My new Toro HD 826OXE with the anti-clog system clogs up more with slush. than anything I've used before.
Garbage design IMO.
I did a good wipe down with ArmorAll - that helped a bit last season.
I hate this snow blower. The control levers are too short and VERY uncomfortable.

 

[jeepman3071]

I check last month to make sure my Toro HD826 OXE would start. I did - but then it didn't go into "gear".
I emptied the oil ( which was good) tipped it on its nose and took the bottom pan off.

Toro never lubed this thing at ALL from the factory! It is but three seasons in service.
The friction wheel lay shaft was rusted and the friction wheel hub seized to it. The shaft is hexagonal.
I took some red ScotchBrite to it, wiped it with a rag then with Mobil 1 0W40FS oil a couple times, put a bit of oil on the chains and sprockets. Freed it up, tested it, then closed it up. Somehow I didnt have to take either wheel off to do this.

After this winter I'll have to get the appropriate grease. My grease gun "disappeared" I think I leant it out and never got it back.

A lot of these machines are shipped on a pallet partially assembled, and then final assembly is finished at the place they are sold. You wouldn't believe the differences I've seen between machines assembled at the dealer, assembled at home, and assembled at a big box store by someone making minimum wage. The first thing I do when I get a newer machine in for service is check all the lube points and make sure the bolts are actually in place.

 

[jeepman3071]

My new Toro HD 826OXE with the anti-clog system clogs up more with slush. than anything I've used before.
Garbage design IMO.
I did a good wipe down with ArmorAll - that helped a bit last season.
I hate this snow blower. The control levers are too short and VERY uncomfortable.

I can't say I'm a big fan of those, for the reasons you mentioned. I think Ariens is the way to go for a new 2-stage, and Toro makes the best single stage machines. My Toro 721R single stage has a 7hp 4-stroke, and it still out performs many two stages even in slush. Very powerful little bugger. The Simplicity machines are also very good, but harder to find in my area.


Edit: for the clogging I would also try the impeller mod with the rubber paddles. That helps a lot of machines I've worked on and improves slush performance greatly.

 

[repairman54]

My new Toro HD 826OXE with the anti-clog system clogs up more with slush. than anything I've used before.
Garbage design IMO.
I did a good wipe down with ArmorAll - that helped a bit last season.
I hate this snow blower. The control levers are too short and VERY uncomfortable.

My auction find / deal that got me an Ariens had real heavy springs on the auger lever. They needed modification for comfort.

 

[JC1]

You'll need a full wave rectifier to convert the blower engines AC light coil to DC for the LED. Incandescent bulbs don't care if they run on AC or DC as they are only voltage dependent.
I've done that on both of my old 'blowers that had no lights on them. They had light coils though for the optional light. Did it on my lawn tractors also.

Yes I got the rectifier and capacitors for the install from the posts on YouTube. Just need to find a good piece of metal from my hoard to make a good bracket for mounting.