Snow Snowblower maintenance

[Evil the Weasel]

I thought I would give my front snowblower some extra attention today in preparation for the season. The manual doesn't tell you exactly where the zerks are, but I think I hunted them all down successfully. There are 2 zerks on the auger shafts and one on each end with little plastic caps on them. There were several on the pto shaft that connects the blower to the quick hitch, and also on the long shaft that goes from the back of the quick hitch subframe to the mid PTO. Additionally, there were two zerks on the subframe itself.

I got sick of wrestling with my old-fashioned grease gun that seems to need 3 hands to operate it. One to hold the nozzle onto the zerk, one to hold the barrel, and yet another to work the pump handle. I splurged $20 at TSC on an air compressor powered grease gun from Cambpell Hausfeld. I can't believe I waited so long to get one of these. It made the process quick and easy and will come in handy on the MMM, loader, and for the autos too.

I moved my attention to the gearbox in the middle of the augers and realized I had never checked the oil level. There is a fill plug at the top, a drain plug on the bottom, and a level plug on the back side facing the impeller. After trying every metric hex key I had for the level plug, it turned out to be a standard key size. I backed the level plug out and checked that the heavy gear oil was at the right level. I'll probably change it out next year now that I see how to do it.

I finished up by giving the chain a dose of bar oil and applied white lithium grease to the chute base. I think I am good to go now.

 

[SARG]

Yup .... That'll be my chore in the near future. Every year this time it's the same thing. Put all the lawn equipment away and dig out the snow crap.

I recognize more each year why there are so many "snow birds" around here. The best of both worlds.

 

[Jay4200]

I finished up by giving the chain a dose of bar oil and applied white lithium grease to the chute base. I think I am good to go now.

White lithium for the chute base...DOH. Someday I'm going to remember to get some of that stuff - always forget. I just gave my chute a dose of the grey stuff. White lithium would be better. Oh well, there's always next year!

JayC

 

[Toyboy]

What model snow blower do you have? Mine does not have that many zerks, that I'm aware of.

 

[Evil the Weasel]

What model snow blower do you have? Mine does not have that many zerks, that I'm aware of.

B2781A 51"

 

[victor43]

Every year, I put a coating of car paste wax on the inside of the snow blower chute. Keeps snow and slush from sticking.

 

[SARG]

I'm lazy.
I spray everything with the EZ-Slide graphite spray.

 

[crazyal]

I was thinking of getting a couple of cans of fluid film spray cans.

 

[SARG]

Just got a case of Fluid Film and have been spraying it on everything that has a tendency to rust.... including parts of the blowers. For the chutes and other "wear" surfaces that contact the snow there are better choices.

 

[ptrotter]

And those better choices are???

 

[SARG]

I'm using the EZ-Slide spray I get at TSC. It doesn't last forever but seems to prevent the wet snow from sticking. Hard to judge because last year was a monster here for snow ....... went through shear bolts like crazy. But I also use the spray on the inside of the mower decks as well when I put them away and whenever I take the decks off to service the blades.

So for me it's EZ-Slide to prevent sticking & Fluid Film to slow down corrosion.

 

[crazyal]

You would think that at least one company would make a Teflon liner for the chute. Sure it would wear out but as long as it was replaceable those who keep up on maintenance would spend money down the road. I think it would also do well with sticky wet snow.

 

[dennisgw]

Silicone spray works really well for the chute in the event of wet snow. Don't need it for dry snow.

 

[Kubota 2350]

I use chain lube on the drive chain, I get it the motorcycle shop.
It's good stuff, and it's made for chains.