Snow Blower Storage Maintenance

If the snow blower will be stored for thirty (30) days or at the end of the snow season, the following steps are recommended to prepare your snow thrower for storage. For complete storage and maintenance information, please refer to your Operator's Manual or consult your local Simplicity Dealer.

WARNING: Never store the engine, with fuel in the tank, indoors, or in a poor ventilated enclosure where fuel fumes could reach an open flame, spark, or pilot light as on a furnace, water heater, clothes dryer, etc.

Handle gasoline carefully. It is highly flammable and careless use could result in serious fire damage to your person and/or property.

Drain fuel into approved containers outdoors, away from open flame.

NOTE: Gasoline must be removed or treated to prevent gum deposits from forming in the tank, filter, hose, and carburetor during storage.

1. Remove gasoline by running engine until tank is empty and engine stops. If you do not want to remove the gasoline and can store the snow blower properly, add fuel stabilizer to any gasoline left in the tank to minimize gum deposits and acids. If the tank is almost empty, mix stabilizer with fresh gasoline in a separate contain an add some of the mixture to the tank. Always follow instructions on stabilizer container. Then run engine at least 10 minutes after stabilizer is added to allow mixture to reach carburetor. Store snow blower in safe place.
2. You can help keep your engine (4-cycle only) in good operating condition by changing oil before storage.
3. Lubricate the piston/cylinder area. This can be done by first removing the spark plug and squirting clean engine oil into the spark plug hole. Then, cover the spark plug hole with a rag to absorb oil spray. Next, rotate the engine by pulling the starter two or three times. Finally, reinstall spark plug and attach spark plug wire.
4. Thoroughly clean the snow blower.
5. Lubricate all lubrication points (see "lubrication" topics in the maintenance section of your Operator's Manual.)
6. Make sure all nuts, bolts, and screws are securely fastened. Inspect all visible moving parts for damage, breakage, and wear. Replace if necessary.
7. Touch up all rusted or chipped paint surfaces; sand lightly before painting.
8. Cover the bare metal parts of the snow thrower housing auger and the impeller with rust preventative.
9. If possible, store your snow blower indoors and cover it to give protection from dust and dirt.
10. On models with folding handles, loosen the knobs that secure the upper handle. Rotate the upper handle back.
11. If the machine must be stored outdoors, block up the snow thrower and ensure the entire machine is off the ground. Cover the snow blower with a heavy tarpaulin.

Please read and abide by any applicable Safety Information contained in your Operator's Manual. The material provided above is not intended to replace work performed by an Authorized Simplicity Dealer. Terms and Conditions apply to all of the information presented on this website. Always be sure to completely read and understand your Operator's Manual.