Clearing out the snow has never been easier with the use of a snowblower. No matter the type you have, this machine has become essential in keeping one’s property tidy after a constant heavy snowfall. However, repeated use can reduce the performance of a snowblower as its parts eventually experience wear and tear.
In order to keep it working at its optimum state, you should know how to conduct snowblower tune ups. Through effective tuning, your snowblower will always be as good as new whenever you need to clear your sidewalks and driveways of snow.
Tuning A Single-Stage Snowblower
Step 1: Removing The Control Plate
The first thing you need to do in tuning this type of snowblower is to remove the control plate cover, which is usually held by fasters. Get the ignition key located on the control plate cover, and then carefully lift the cover up from the machine.
Afterward, the front cover of the single-stage snow blower must be removed. There are a couple of screws that keep the cover attached to the snowblower. To extract these handle bar screws, simply use a wrench. Once the screws are out, you only have to grab the front housing away from the bars.
Once you’ve removed both the control plate cover and the front housing, you can finally lift the control plate away from the machine. While getting the control plate, you have to thread the choke lever away from the snowblower carburetor.
Step 2: Managing The Fuel Line
At this point, you should be able to access both the fuel lines and the fuel filter located in front of the machine. First, you should stop any possible fuel leaks by safely clamping off the fuel line to the filter. If this is successful, you can then remove the fuel filter.
The next step is to separate each side of the fuel filter from the fuel lines of the snowblower. Since they are currently connected through clamps, you just have to use a pair of pliers.
Once the clamps have been removed, you should get a flat head screwdriver. Use this tool to conveniently pull the fuel lines away from both sides of the fuel filter. Do not ever consider removing the fuel lines without a flat head screwdriver. Otherwise, you could break the fuel lines as you attempt to pull them.
Step 3: Placing A New Filter
You should now install a brand new fuel filter onto the snowblower. To do this, you simply have to hold down the attachment ends of the fuel filter. Next, the two clamps you previously cast aside should be replaced with a new pair of clamps. Just like before, use a pair of pliers to prevent any fuel lines from being damaged. Put the new fuel filter in, and release the clamp attached to the incoming fuel line.
Step 4: Replacing The Spark Plug
After successfully replacing the fuel filter, you should consider installing a new spark plug. Since you’ve already removed the control plate cover, this replacement should be quick.
First, you have to remove the spark plug boot away from the snowblower. This can be done using a pair of pliers or even with just your hands. Ideally, however, you should do this using spark plug boot pullers.
Next, get a socket wrench and disassemble the spark plug. Now that the old one is gone, you can begin to thread a brand new spark plug. Upon installation, get the socket wrench again to tighten the spark plug. Afterward, you must install a new spark plug boot.
Now that you’ve replaced both the fuel filter and the spark plug, you can finally reassemble the snowblower. Aside from these parts, you can also check the handle bar screws, the ignition key, and the control plate cover if they are in need of replacement.
Tuning A Two-Stage Snowblower
Step 1: Oil Change
This type of snowblower will utilize a 4-cycle engine oil instead of a 2-cycle oil that’s more commonly used for single-stage snowblowers. Make sure that the 4-stroke oil you will use for your snowblower works even during the cold weather. If you replace it with oil that’s not made for cold regions, sludge could appear and stop your snowblower from working.
Step 2: Replace The Spark Plug
Similar to a single-stage snowblower, the spark plug of the two-stage variant also needs to be replaced. Just be sure to pick the right spark plugs depending on the engine of your machine. Some two stage snow blowers have an L-head engine while others have an OHV engine.
Step 3: Rust Control
Snow can accelerate the development of rust on scratched steel. If you see any rust on your machine, you can remove it without damaging the paint by using either sand paper or a wire brush. To prevent any further rust from appearing, you should apply a coat of rust-proof paint on the two-stage snowblower.
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