10 Snowblower Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Machine Running Like New by Alex Kelly
We’ve all been there: You walk out to the garage at 6 a.m. after that first heavy snow only to discover your snowblower won’t start. Trying to repair your snowblower in the cold, dark garage is not the best way to start your work day. You can prevent this chilly hassle by properly maintaining and replacing snowblower parts before winter hits.
Think of snowblower maintenance similar to car maintenance: If you let your car sit for a while, you’ll have to perform some basic maintenance to ensure everything still runs well. Once your snowblower has spent the summer sitting dormant in the garage, it probably needs some tuning.
In order to properly maintain your snowblower and keep it working efficiently, follow these tips to carefully store it in the spring and prepare it for winter.
Store your snowblower for the summer
When the spring thaw sets in, you can push your snowblower to the back of the garage and move the lawn mower to the front. But first, check critical snowblower parts and accessories to be sure everything is in working order. This way, you also can perform necessary snowblower repairs so the machine is ready to roll in the winter.
- The first step is to drain the gas. It’s best to get rid of the current fuel and add fresh gas in the winter. If you don’t want to drain the fuel, you could consider adding gas stabilizer. Just run the engine for a few minutes if you add stabilizer so it mixes throughout the system.
- Drain the oil. In a four-stroke engine, the oil is in a separate tank just like in your car. (In a two-stroke engine, the oil is mixed in with the gas.) Drain the oil by removing the cap and letting the oil fall into a pan. You can put blocks behind the snowblower’s wheels and tip it slightly to help get the last of the oil out.
- Examine the snowblower’s belts. Open up the drive and look at the belts. Take the belts out to inspect them for any rips or fraying. If you find a damaged belt, replace it with a new one.
- Add lubricant to the drive, chassis and auger. Before you set your snowblower in the garage, add some lubricant to help prevent joints from locking up as it sits.
- Inspect the scraper bar. This is the bar on the bottom of the machine that acts as a shovel, pushing snow into the auger. This can wear just like a plow due to the friction from the ground. It’s best to replace a damaged scraper bar as soon as you can. If you wait and it breaks completely, you may need to perform more costly snowblower repairs.
Get your snowblower ready for the winter season
Once autumn arrives, you’ll be busy raking leaves and putting away potted plants, patio furniture and other outdoor accessories. But, don’t forget to inspect your snowblower. You don’t want to wait until the snow actually arrives to replace snow thrower attachments, change flat tires or add new fuel.
- Refresh the fuel and oil. If you have a four-stroke engine, add new fuel and new oil. If you have a two-stroke snowblower, add the manufacturer’s recommended blend of gas and oil.
- Inspect the spark plug. Before you fire up your snowblower for the first time, inspect the spark plug. The short-burst work style of snowblowers can result in excess wear on the spark plug. Remove the boot from the spark plug and then remove the plug. It will probably look blackened, but if it has a lot of hard buildup or the plug itself has deteriorated, you should replace it.
- Measure the air pressure in the tires. This is a very simple snow thrower repair but one that many owners may overlook. When fall starts, take a look at your tires and fill them with air or replace them if they are damaged.
- Check the air filter. Just like the air filter in your car, the one in your snowblower will eventually clog with dust and other particles. Replace it with a new one to keep air moving freely through the system.
- Check the rubber around the auger. If the auger in your machine has a rubber trim, poke around to see if it’s peeling away or cracking. If it is, you can replace it simply by looking up the replacement part based on your machine’s make or model and then bolting the new rubber on.
If you do find that you need replacement snowblower parts, consider looking for universal parts. You can find snowblower accessories like covers, tire chains or snow cab attachments from a quality parts supplier like MTD Parts. All you need is the snowblower model or part number to find replacement snowblower attachments and accessories.
About the Author
Alex Kelly is a senior content specialist at one of the top interactive agencies in the U.S.
HOW TO Replace The Belts On The Old MTD Snowblower Part 1 of 2
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Genuine Factory Parts Lawnmower Drive Belt OEM 754-0468 NEW MTD Yard-man $14.99 |
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MTD GENERAL PURPOSE V-BELT FOR RIDING MOWER TRACTOR 5/8″ X 36-1/4″ 954-0453 $14.99 |
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MTD DECK BELT FOR 600 SERIES RIDING LAWN MOWER TRACTOR 5/8″ X 60″ 754-0439 $24.99 |
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MTD SECONDARY DRIVE BELT FOR STEP THRU AUTO DRIVE MOWERS 5/8″ X 41-1/2″ 954-0468 $14.99 |
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MTD ENGINE PULLEY TO DRIVE PULLEY BELT FOR S PROPEL MOWER 3/8″ X 39″ 954-0271 $13.99 |
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MTD DECK DRIVE BELT FOR 46″ AUTO DRIVE RIDING MOWER 5/8″ X 100.20″ 954-0474 $22.99 |
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MTD DRIVE BELT FOR FRONT WHEEL DRIVE SELF PROPEL MOWER 3/8″ X 38″ 954-0483 $11.99 |
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MTD 30″ REAR ENGINE RIDING LAWN MOWER 1/2″ X 52.18″ LONG BLADE BELT 754-0264 $18.99 |
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MTD DRIVE BELT FOR RIDING LAWN MOWER TRACTOR 1/2″ X 57.7″ 954-04043 / 754-0343 $19.99 |
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MTD DECK BELT FOR 42″ STEP THROUGH AUTO DRIVE RIDING MOWER 5/8″ X 83″ 754-0472 $24.99 |
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MTD 30″ REAR ENGINE RIDING LAWN MOWER 5/8 X 38-3/16 DRIVE BELT 954-0240 754-0240 $22.99 |
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MTD TRANSMISSION DRIVE BELT FOR 800 SERIES TRACTOR 7/8″ X 53-1/4″ 754-0358 $27.99 |
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MTD 32″ CUT “D” DECK MOWER 1/2″ X 67″ BLADE TO BLADE BELT 954-0355 754-0355 $19.99 |
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MTD 462R & 479R SERIES SELF PROPEL LAWN MOWER DRIVE BELT 30″ LONG 754-0346 $17.99 |
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MTD PTO BELT FOR 42″ RIDING LAWN MOWER WITH MANUAL PTO 5/8″ X 97″ 954-0485 $28.99 |
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MTD VARIABLE SPEED BELT FOR 30″ RIDING MOWER 5/8″ SECTION X 35-1/4″ 754-0241A $21.99 |
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MTD VARIABLE SPEED DRIVE BELT MODELS 660 – 688 MOWERS 5/8″ X 31-3/4″ 954-04002 $11.99 |
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MTD BELT FOR SNOWBLOWER SNOWTHROWER MODEL 721 1/2″ X 35″ 754-0101A 954-0101A $15.99 |
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MTD ENGINE TO DECK BELT FOR 800 SERIES 40″ MOWER “B” SECTION X 64″ 754-0350 $22.99 |
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MTD ENGINE TO TRANSMISSION BELT FOR RIDING LAWN MOWER “A” X 85.2″ 754-0266 $19.99 |
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MTD VARIABLE SPEED TO TRANSMISSION BELT FOR RIDING MOWERS 7/8″ X 50″ 954-0362 $24.99 |
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OEM SPEC DECK BELT FITS MTD 954-04118 / 754-04118 MODEL 13AP605H755 (2006) $25.94 |
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MTD Drive Belt 754-0281 Genuine Factory Parts For 300 / 400 Series Lawn Tractor $16.00 |
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SNOWTHROWER DRIVE BELT FITS ARIENS: 07204700 / 7204700 MTD: 754-0131 / 954-0131 $12.94 |
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MTD Drive Belt, 600 Series OEM-754-0370 Yard Man Troy Bilt Ryobi Factory Parts $16.00 |
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MTD 754-0280 Drive Belt Variable Speed to Engine Pulley 36″ 38″ & 42″ Yard Man $16.00 |
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OEM SPEC DRIVE BELT FITS CUB CADET , MTD , & TROY-BILT 754-04158 / 954-04158 $12.94 |
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Set of 2 Vari -Speed MTD Belts, 754-0467 and 754-0468 $22.95 |
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MTD V-BELT – New Old Stock – #754-0497 (954-0497) $17.81 |
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Mtd walk behind mower belt. fits 86-98 mowers.Replaces 754-0343 & 954-0343 $4.99 |
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Blackbelt 2: Fatal Force [VHS] $5.99 … |
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Oregon 98-049 Lawn Mower Blade For MTD 21-Inch 742-0741 $6.00 Mulching blade. Fits MTD 1995 & newer decks. Also fits 300 & 900 series Cub Cadet walk behind mowers except models with cast aluminum decks. Specially designed center hole to replace six point star. Length: 21″ Width: 2-1/4″ Center Hole Diameter: 23/32″ Star Thickness: .125″ Diameter of Outside Holes: 19/64″ Center to Center (outside holes): 2-1/2″… |
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McLane 101 9-Inch Gas Powered Lawn Edger $275.30 McLane – manufacturing the best quality, precision cutting lawn and garden equipment since 1946. The McLane facility covers over 75,000 square feet in the city of Paramount, CA. McLane produces reel mowers, green mowers, rotary mowers, and edgers. All edgers are made of heavy duty steel frames with dual cutterhead bearings for smooth cutting. Smooth live rubber replaceable tires and chip resistant… |
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Yard Machines 121R 31cc 2-Cycle Gas Powered Cultivator/Tiller $179.00 Features 31CC, 2-cycle engine, EZ-Pull starting, adjustable tine width from 6″ to 10-1/4″ and heat-treated 8″ steel tines. Sealed maintenance-free, heavy-duty gearbox…. |
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Seidio Innocase Surface Case for Motorola DROID (Black) $19.44 Seidio Innocase Surface for Motorola DROID protects and personalizes your PDA phone. Crafted from a hard yet flexible material, it provides an amazingly thin layer of protection without adding excessive bulk. The Innocase Surface consists of front and back pieces that fit your phone precisely, and Seidio’s signature soft touch finish provides a great feel and better grip without attracting lint…. |
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Seidio ACTIVE Case and Holster for Motorola Droid 2/Droid 2 Global – Combo Pack – Retail Packaging – Black $32.61 Seidios Innocase Active Combo includes the Innocase Active and Innocase Active Holster. Created for those that have and want to maintain their active lifestyle in mind, the Innocase Active provides great shock absorption while adding minimal bulk. This two-layer case features a compact and lightweight rubber polymer with a precisely positioned hard skeleton that protects vulnerable parts of your… |
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Seidio SURFACE Case and Holster Combo with kickstand for use with Motorola Droid 3 $28.99 Seidio’s SURFACE Combo includes the SURFACE Case and SURFACE Holster. Crafted from a hard yet flexible material, the SURFACE provides an amazingly thin layer of protection without adding the excessive bulk of other cases. It consists of interlocking back and front pieces that fit your phone precisely, and Seidio’s signature soft touch finish provides a great feel and better grip without attracting… |
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MTD, White, Outdoor Technical Handbook, Factory Service Repair Manual, Logspliiter Repairs, Self Propel Mowers, Yardbug, Autodrive, Snowthrowers, Zero Turn Mowers, ZTRS, Hydrostatic Drive Transmission Repairs, Chore Performers, Tiller Repair MTD, White Outdoor Technical Book, Factory Repair Manual, Self Propelled Mower, L.U.V. Bug-Lawn Utility Vehicle, Yardbug, Autodrive, Autocruise, 600 Series Foot Controlled Transmission, Zero Turn Tractor, The Revolution, Chore Performers, 22″ String Trimmer, Log Splitter Repairs, Snow Thrower Repairs, Gear Case Removal, Log Splitter Hydraulic Troubleshooting, Jack Spindle Replacement, Transmission… |
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Auger Drive Belt MTD $19.99 Original equipment replacement auger drive belt set for 5 thru 10 HP MTD (including Cub cadet) manufactured 500/600 series 2 stage Snowthrowers manufactured 2005 thru current. 1/2″ top width x 35″ long. |
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Arnold Corp. Arnold Corp. Mtd Hydrost Drive Belt OEM-754-0441 $27.58 Mtd hydrost drive belt Drive Belt for MTD Fits 38?, 42?, and 46? deep deck hydrostatic riders Brand #: Arnold Corp. OEM-754-0441 UPC: 037049924271 Keywords: belt replacement drive mtd replcmnt |
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Auger Drive Belt Set MTD $25.99 Original equipment replacement auger drive belt set for 5 thru 10 HP MTD 400/500/600 series 2 stage Snowthrowers manufactured 1992 thru 2004. Comes as a match set of belts 3/8″ top width x 35″ long. 5 HP units require only 1 belt (2nd belt is a spare). |
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Arnold Corp. Arnold Corp. 38 in Mtd Deck Belt OEM-754-0329A $25.01 38? mtd deck belt Kevlar deck belt for MTD 38? deep deck rider, O.E. model No. 754-0329A/754-0433 OEM parts Packaged 1 per sleeve Brand #: Arnold Corp. OEM-754-0329A UPC: 037049919147 Keywords: deck belt mtd replacemnt |
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Arnold Corp. Arnold Corp. 46 in Mtd Drive Belt OEM-754-0349 $28.16 46? mtd drive belt Kevlar deck belt for MTD 46? deep deck for model No. 800 series riders, O.E. model No. 754-0349 OEM parts Packaged 1 per sleeve Brand #: Arnold Corp. OEM-754-0349 UPC: 037049919185 Keywords: belt mtd replacemnt deck |
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Arnold Corp. Arnold Corp. 46 in Mtd Deck Belt OEM-754-0350 $22.43 46? mtd deck belt PTO belt for MTD 46? deep deck for model No. 800 series riders, O.E. model No. 754-0350 OEM parts Packaged 1 per sleeve Brand #: Arnold Corp. OEM-754-0350 UPC: 037049919192 Keywords: belt mtd replacemnt pto |
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Arnold Corp. Arnold Corp. 42 in Mtd Deck Belt OEM-754-0371A $25.97 42? mtd deck belt Kevlar deck belt for MTD 42? deep deck rider, O.E. model No. 754-0371A OEM parts Packaged 1 per sleeve Brand #: Arnold Corp. OEM-754-0371A UPC: 037049919178 Keywords: belt mtd replacemnt deck |
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Maxpower 336107 Deck Drive Belt For MTD MTD $25.93 Replaces 754-0349 for 46-Inch cut H deck Carded |
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Maxpower 10369 Engine To Deck Belt For MTD & Troy Bilt $28.93 Engine to deck belt for MTD and Troy Bilt 1/2-Inch x 67-Inch Replaces 954-0498 Fits 42-Inch step through frame 2001 and after Wrapped molded, aramid cord construction and clutching cover 1/2-Inch x 67-Inch Carded |
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Maxpower 336110 MTD Variable Speed Belt $29.93 Replaces 754-0370 and 954-0370 For 42-Inch cut Carded |
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Maxpower 336106 MTD Blade To Blade Belt $29.93 Replaces 754-0433 and 754-329A for 38-Inch Carded |
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Maxpower 336109 MTD Blade To Blade Belt $36.93 Replaces 754-0371A and 954-0371A Carded |
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Maxpower 336108 Engine To Deck Belt For MTD $32.93 Replaces 754-0350 for 46-Inch cut 800 series Carded |
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MTD 21 Lawnmower Mulch Blade $22.99 21″ mulch blade fits 21″ MTD Yard machines lawnmower and most other current 21″ MTD lawnmowers. |
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Arnold Corp. Arnold Corp. Snow Auger Belt OEM-754-04050 $16.56 Snow auger belt Snow thrower auger belt fits MTD 2-stage models 2005 and after Brand #: Arnold Corp. OEM-754-04050 UPC: 037049936595 Keywords: snow blower belt thrower auger 2 stage models |
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MTD Air Filter Cartridge $11.99 Air Filter fits 19″ Cub Cadet lawnmowers. Also fits other MTD brands of lawnmower with Power More engines. |
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Arnold Corp. Arnold Corp. Snowthrower Auger Belt OEM-754-0101A $15.51 Snowthrower auger belt Replacement auger belt fits MTD single stage model No. 150 thru 190 and Yard-Man model No. 285 thru 295 Brand #: Arnold Corp. OEM-754-0101A UPC: 037049919536 Keywords: snow thrower parts belt snowthrower auger blower |
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Maxpower 335095 5-Inch x 1-3/8-Inch MTD Deck Wheel $6.93 Replacement MTD 734-0973 5-Inch x 1-3/8-InchCarded |
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F-15 S/Mtd $41.86 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles The McDonnell Douglas F-15 S/MTD (Short Takeoff and Landing/Maneuver Technology Demonstrator) is a modified F-15 Eagle. Developed as a technology demonstrator, the F-15 S/MTD carried out research for studying the effects of vectored thrust and enhanced maneuverability. The aircraft used for the project was pre-production TF-15A, the first delivered F-15 airframe, which is on loan to NASA from the United States Air Force. This same aircraft would later be used in the F-15 ACTIVE from 1993-1999, and later in the Intelligent Flight Control System programs from 1999 on. With the help of thrust vectoring nozzles, this aircraft can perform the famous Pugachev’s Cobra maneuver. |
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Belt $7.28 Belt |
