Briggs & Stratton engines are built to the most precise tolerances in order to perform efficiently under the toughest circumstances. Whether moving a light dusting of powdery snow or huge drifts from the season’s roughest storm, your Briggs & Stratton-powered snow blower will serve you well with a little bit of regular maintenance throughout the season.
Before taking a stab at any maintenance project, carefully study your operator’s manual. Make sure your workspace is well-lit and well-organized and ensure you have all the necessary tools, parts, and other maintenance materials on hand. To pick up replacement parts and maintenance kits, check out Briggs & Stratton’s online store.
Storing Your Snow Blower
At the end of each season, store your lawn mower or snow blower filled with fuel and add a fuel treatment like Briggs & Stratton® Advanced Formula Fuel Treatment & Stabilizer. Keeping the tank full will minimize accumulation of moisture that causes carburetor-clogging rust. If your snow blower is equipped with a fuel shut-off, always switch off the fuel flow whenever you transport your machine. This will protect the carburetor from flooding and help prevent fuel spills.
Be sure to carefully wash and hand-dry your snow blower at the end of the winter. Road salts can damage your snow blower the same way they corrode a car’s exterior. To further protect your snow removal device, purchase a specialty cover or simply use a tarp.
Replace Your Spark Plugs and Engine Oil
Like a car or truck, your Briggs & Stratton engine won’t fire up when you need it without oil. Check your oil levels using a dipstick and refill using Briggs & Stratton’s Synthetic Oil (100074WEB), specially formulated for temperatures -20 to 120ºF (-30 to 40ºC).
Spark plugs usually require replacement about once per season but double-check your operator’s manual, available on Briggs & Stratton’s website, to be sure. Before replacing spark plugs, be sure to correctly adjust the gap between electrodes.
Beware of Vibration: Check Your Fasteners
Vibration from operation can loosen fasteners over time, especially on control linkages. Prior to putting your snow blower in storage, give your machine a once-over and tighten nuts and bolts where necessary. Always take care not to over-tighten to avoid stripping and damaging moving parts.
Not yet ready to tackle a do-it-yourself engine tune-up? Check with your local dealer or retailer. They have trained personnel who will be happy to perform your between-season tune-ups and are well-equipped to anticipate developing problems before any serious issues arise.
