Simplicity^® Snow Blower Storage Tips

You know how helpful your Simplicity^® Snow Blower is in tackling all your snow removal needs, from light powder to blizzards. And you know it’s a crucial to make an investment in winter outdoor power equipment. Make sure you protect that investment by knowing how to properly prepare your snow thrower for storage. As always, if you have any questions, consult your snow blower manual or contact your local Simplicity snow blower dealer.

If you’re putting your snow blower away until next season, we recommend the following steps to prepare your machine for storage.

Snow blower maintenance safety reminder: Make sure you follow the appropriate safety precautions when dealing with your snow blower. Never store your snow blower engine with fuel in the tank, indoors or in a poorly ventilated enclosure where fuel fumes could reach an open flame, spark, or pilot light as on a furnace, water heater, clothes dryer, etc. It is crucial to handle gasoline carefully, as it is highly flammable, and careless use could result in serious damage to you and/or your property. Drain fuel into approved containers outdoors, away from open flame.

As a first step for snowblower maintenance and storage, gasoline must be removed or treated to prevent gum deposits from forming in the tank, filter, hose, and carburetor during storage. Remove gasoline by running the snow blower engine until the tank is empty and the 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 fuel stabilizer with fresh gasoline in a separate container and add some of the mixture to the tank. Always follow the instructions on the fuel stabilizer container. Then run your snow blower engine at least 10 minutes after the fuel stabilizer is added to allow the mixture to reach the carburetor.

You can help keep your engine (4-cycle only) in good operating condition by changing the oil before you store it. First, 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 any oil spray. Next, rotate the engine by pulling the starter two or three times. Finally, reinstall the spark plug and attach the spark plug wire.

Make sure to thoroughly clean your snow blower. Lubricate all lubrication points (for helpful tips, consult lubrication topics in the maintenance section of your operator's manual). Make sure all nuts, bolts, and screws are securely fastened. Inspect all visible moving parts for damage, breakage, and wear, and replace any if necessary. (You can shop for a small assortment of genuine Simplicity snow blower parts online, or contact your local Simplicity dealer.)

With snow blower maintenance, it’s also important to touch up all rusted or chipped paint surfaces; make sure to sand lightly before painting. Cover the bare metal parts of the snow thrower housing, auger and impeller with rust preventative. On snow thrower models with folding handles, loosen the knobs that secure the upper handle and rotate the upper handle back.

If at all possible, store your snow blower indoors and cover it to give protection from dust and dirt. 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 or snow blower cover, no matter where it is stored.

SNOW BLOWER SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Please read and abide by all 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.