55 degrees, sunny, and no wind today. Kind of a last hurrah for decent weather here before real winter sets in. We have been having an unusually warm start to the late fall/early winter months so I have delayed getting after my winter prep chores. Decided it was the perfect day to do it so I dragged the snow blower and generator out for service.
Got the Ariens SB out and did an oil change( RP HPS 5W30 ), cleaned the air filter, checked the spark plug, added some fresh gas with some fuel treatment/cleaner(RP), made sure the shear pins were still good, and hit all the grease fittings with the grease gun. Hooked the extension cord to it and got it fired up( always seem to have to use the electric start for the 1st start of the year to get it going? )and let it run for about 30 minutes before shutting it down. Let it sit for about an hour then restarted it with the pull cord like I usually use to make sure it would start easy and it fired right off.
One down...One to go...
Got the Generator ready too. Fresh gas with some fuel treatment/cleaner(RP), checked the spark plug, and cleaned the air filter. Also took the time to swap a bracket on the handle around that has made it hard to get the air cleaner cover off. A little start fluid( always needs it to start )and two pulls and it fired off like a charm. Didn't change the oil as I did it about a year and a half ago( RP HPS 10W30 )and it is really hard to change the oil in it for me now due to my MS( drain is almost underneath and I have to lift the gen up onto something to do it ). I figured seeing as I haven't used it for more than about 2 hours max( and just to run it - not under load )the oil will be okay until next spring. Ran it for about 30 minutes then put it away too.
I am pretty lamed up now( again due to the MS )but I feel really good to have these winter chores finally done. Have been putting it of. Glad I seized on the good weather to do it. IF you haven't done your winter prep yet get after it. Won't be long now before real winter hits.
Got the Ariens SB out and did an oil change( RP HPS 5W30 ), cleaned the air filter, checked the spark plug, added some fresh gas with some fuel treatment/cleaner(RP), made sure the shear pins were still good, and hit all the grease fittings with the grease gun. Hooked the extension cord to it and got it fired up( always seem to have to use the electric start for the 1st start of the year to get it going? )and let it run for about 30 minutes before shutting it down. Let it sit for about an hour then restarted it with the pull cord like I usually use to make sure it would start easy and it fired right off.
One down...One to go...
Got the Generator ready too. Fresh gas with some fuel treatment/cleaner(RP), checked the spark plug, and cleaned the air filter. Also took the time to swap a bracket on the handle around that has made it hard to get the air cleaner cover off. A little start fluid( always needs it to start )and two pulls and it fired off like a charm. Didn't change the oil as I did it about a year and a half ago( RP HPS 10W30 )and it is really hard to change the oil in it for me now due to my MS( drain is almost underneath and I have to lift the gen up onto something to do it ). I figured seeing as I haven't used it for more than about 2 hours max( and just to run it - not under load )the oil will be okay until next spring. Ran it for about 30 minutes then put it away too.
I am pretty lamed up now( again due to the MS )but I feel really good to have these winter chores finally done. Have been putting it of. Glad I seized on the good weather to do it. IF you haven't done your winter prep yet get after it. Won't be long now before real winter hits.