If you do suck up a newspaper, shut down the engine and remove it with a broom or shovel handle, but never with your hands. If you can’t remove the paper, take your machine to a pro, who will charge a whole lot less than even the cheapest surgeon.
To avoid any other hiccups while removing snow, use these tips to fix a snow blower that won’t start.
Take Smaller Bites to Avoid Clogs
It’s tempting to crank up the speed and plow right through it. That’s the single best way to clog your machine and wear out (or break) the drive belts. And when you consider how long it takes to constantly stop and unclog the chute, ramming at full speed doesn’t actually save any time. Worse yet, improperly clearing a clogged chute is dangerous, and the most common cause of snow blower?related injuries.
Instead of making a full-width pass through the snow, manufacturers recommend taking smaller bites; about one-third to one-half the width of the machine. It’s faster than slogging through a full path of heavy snow and it’s easier on the machine. Another reason it’s a better snow-blowing technique is that it allows the machine to throw the snow farther.
Start With Fresh Fuel
Stale gas is the No. 1 cause of hard starting. So don’t use what’s left in the lawn mower can. It’s better to dump that summer blend into your car’s tank, then refill the can with winter blend, which is more volatile and provides better starting.
Cool Off, Then Gas Up
If your snow blower runs out of gas halfway through a tough job, you’ll be tempted to refill it right away. But think about this: The engine is hot and the gas tank sits right on top of that hot engine. Even worse, you’re standing right over the machine holding a gallon of gas.
Snow-blower fires happen often enough that the manufacturers strongly recommend that you let the engine cool for at least 10 minutes before refilling. Take that opportunity to grab a cuppa joe or hot chocolate and warm up your fingers and toes. Then, once your personal tank is refilled, refill your snow blower and carry on.
Add Stabilizer to Fresh Fuel
Follow the fuel stabilizer dosing recommendations on the bottle label. Add the stabilizer to the gas can right at the gas station so it’ll mix up on the way home. Or, add a premeasured packet to the gas can before filling it with gas.
