Snow blower oil: which one to choose, where to find it and how much to buy

In this article you will learn which oil is best for a snow blower, how often you need to change the oil in a snow blower, how to change the oil in a snow blower, how to lubricate the gearbox in a snow blower.

Snow blower oil

The best oils for snow blowers. Brands of oil for operation at low temperatures.

First, look at the technical data sheet for the device - it always says which oil is best to fill the car with, under what conditions, a list of the most suitable makes/brands, and a temperature table. All this is, at least, in the documentation of reliable brands. If you have lost the instructions, cannot translate them, or they simply did not exist, then follow these recommendations:

1. The best oils for snow removal equipment are products branded 10W30. You can also use 10W40. Such semi-synthetic oils are proven and do not harm equipment. They also work at negative temperatures - up to 20 degrees below zero.
2. If the temperature drops below this value, use semi-synthetic oils. We recommend it under the brand name 5W30. Such products also function at 30 degrees below zero, but freeze at lower temperatures.
3. Use the SAE oil viscosity chart based on temperature. Such tables are publicly available. By checking with them, select the oil that is suitable for your snow removal equipment.

How often should you change the oil in your snow blower?

After the first start, you need to change the oil after 5 hours of snow removal. This is called break-in. This is especially important if you plan to use your snow blower every day/heavily.

Subsequent oil changes should be carried out after 50 hours of operation - our advice for users who use the snow blower frequently and a lot. But keep in mind that the subsequent oil change is individual and depends on the model of the snow blower and the intensity of the load. To determine exactly how often you need to change the oil in your snow blower, look at the technical data sheet.

If you use your car every few days or less, you can change the oil once a season.

Instructions

Step-by-step instructions on how to change the oil in a snow blower:

• To drain all the oil without leaving any residue, place your snowblower on a flat surface.
• Start the car - you need to warm up the engine for 5 minutes, then the oil will heat up, it will become more liquid and less viscous/dense.
• Turn off the device and place an oil container under it. Its volume is at least 7 liters.
• Open the top cover of the unit for ventilation so that the oil does not “gurgle” when it is drained. If there is, remove the dipstick from there.
• Quickly unscrew the oil drain plug/bolt. It is located at the bottom of the structure.
• Wait until the oil stops flowing.
• Close the drain hole - tighten the plug or tighten the bolt.
• Pour the prepared oil through the neck. Use a watering can to avoid spills.
• If present, reinsert the dipstick and screw on the filler cap.

After changing the oil, we recommend starting the snow blower for a couple of minutes and then checking the oil level.There is a mark on the dipstick for the recommended level. This value is also indicated in the data sheet. Make sure the oil matches the mark/value.

Gearbox lubrication. When to lubricate the gearbox. Instructions on how to lubricate a snow blower gearbox.

The snow blower gearbox must be lubricated separately from the entire system. There are special lubricants for this. We do not recommend saving on them. Poor lubrication will lead to rapid breakdown of the device/its components. Due to low-quality consumables, the engine may jam, then it will turn into a pile of scrap metal.

Do not use grease to lubricate the snow blower gearbox to avoid the above-mentioned results.

Some manufacturers equip their unit with a non-separable gearbox. Usually these are large brands with their own service centers. You will not be able to lubricate such a gearbox at home. If you try to disassemble the device yourself, you will lose the warranty and free maintenance, and you also risk breaking the device, so contact the nearest service center of your dealer. Specialists will lubricate the gearbox and inspect the device. Some manufacturers already include the cost of inspection in the price of the snow blower, so it is free for their models.

If your gearbox is disassembled, then:

1. Place the unit on a level surface.
2. Turn off the engine.
3. Disassemble the housing and gearbox.
4. Unscrew the locking bolt.
5. Pour lubricant inside up to the neck. To pour lubricant into the gearbox, use a regular medical syringe.
6. Screw the bolt back.
7. Assemble the snow blower.
8. Check how it works.