Snowblower Snowblower Maintenance

[Medic303]

I have a JD 1023 compact with a 54" blower on the front. Helping out the neighbor this year whose driveway is crumbling to pieces took quite a bit of paint off around the impeller. Is that something I should be repainting every year to maintain? If so, are their any other routine items I should take care of besides the obvious that are listed in the manual (chain adjust lube, gear box oil, grease fittings, and scraper blade)? If I paint around the impeller has anyone tried the silicone paints used in ag applications? I used that on my Case 444 48" blower years ago and it seemed to reduce the chute blockages. Thanks for your thoughts.

Eric

 

[PILOON]

Bare metal will rust.
A rusted blower chute will inhibit good snow flow.
Rust forms on bare metal in the presence of oxygen.
My suggestion is to protect that bare metal with a simple application of paint from a rattle can.

Granted next winter that spray paint will disappear with first snow but then rust wont form in frigid conditions nor in the humid warm months with that thin spray paint.
My 2 cents.

 

[Harvey9]

I agree with Piloon. Paint round the impeller and inside the chute. I have a gravel drive and do this every year. Haven't tried the silicone paint, I use TrimClad rust paint.

Harvey

 

[ctgoldwing]

I go through this every year as I have a gravel driveway. My 5' Normand blower throws a load of stone into the woods during the winter

As Piloon said, bare metal rusts. I'm not so concerned about inhibiting the throwing capacity of the chute but rather with it just rusting & looking crappy. I clean it in the spring and spray paint some Rustoleum black paint on all the available surfaces I can get to that have taken a hit (inside the impeller area and chute)

 

[oosik]

I had the same snow blower for 24 years. My annual maintenance did not include spraying the bare metal. In the 24 years I never had to replace a part because of the rust. I would change the gear box lube - drop the drive chain and put it in a Shed Spread container half full of motor oil - grease the auger end bearings and store it in my shed out of the weather. When I traded it five years ago it was still in as good a shape as the day I bought it new.

If it makes you feel better - spray the bare metal with a rattle can.