​When winter finally comes to an end and it’s time to store your snow blower for the off-season, time spent prepping the machine for long-term storage will help maintain performance and improve longevity.  

Snow Blower Storage Maintenance

Drain the Fuel

​Even if the gas has been stabilized, we recommend completely draining your snow blower’s fuel system before storing it away for the season. Gas oxidizes and breaks down over time, creating sludge that can build up inside your snow blower’s fuel tank, carburetor and fuel lines. Follow the instructions in your operator’s manual to properly drain the fuel tank, then run the snow blower until the remaining gas burns out and the engine stops on its own. 

Change the Engine Oil

The off-season is the perfect time to change your snow blower engine oil, so your machine is ready when you need it. Our quick, easy-to-follow video explains how to change snow blower engine oil. 

Visit the Ariens parts store or your local Ariens dealer to purchase new engine oil to extend the life of your snow blower equipment.

Clean and Protect the Exterior 

Salt left on your snow blower during the off-season can cause corrosion to the body or the metal components. Wipe away salt stains with a wet cloth and mild soap and thoroughly wipe it dry afterwards to prevent rust and keep your snow blower looking like new.

Our Ariens Orange Spray Paint keeps your Ariens snow blower looking fresh with a smooth, durable finish.

Inspect and Replace Worn Parts

Make sure your snow blower is ready for that first snowfall by attending to worn or damaged parts. Common snow blower parts that need to be replaced after some time include belts, friction discs and hardware.  

Lubricate All Lubrication Points

Regularly cleaning and greasing critical moving parts helps prevent corrosion and rust build-up, which can eventually lead to parts rusting together and becoming inoperable. Check your owner’s manual for lubrication guidelines specific to your machine. The most common snow blower parts that require periodic lubrication include the axle shafts, the augers, and the tractor components.  

• Greasing Snow Blower Axle Shafts – Remove each wheel from the axle and remove any rust with sandpaper. Then, wipe the axle clean and coat it with a thin to medium layer of grease. Also be sure to clean and grease the axle ends where the snap clips are located. If unlubricated, the snap clips could rust to the axle, preventing wheel removal.  

• Greasing Snow Blower Augers – Remove the shear bolts from each auger and pump grease into the grease fittings on the auger shaft, then turn the auger by hand to spread grease along the auger shafts. When complete, reinstall the shear bolts and torque to the specification listed in the operator's manual. 

• Greasing Snow Blower Tractor Components – Remove the bottom cover from your snow blower and perform the following procedures as directed in your operator’s manual: 

1. Apply grease to the hex shaft so the friction disc can slide along it easily 
2. Apply grease to the gears 
3. Apply a thin layer of oil to the chain, wiping away any access oil 
4. Pump grease into the pinion shaft 

Use a Snowblower Cover

The final step to prepare your snow blower for storage is to cover it with a high-quality snow blower cover. Covers help protect your snow blower from collecting dust and dirt while in storage. Ariens snow blower covers - constructed from durable, washable, and tear-resistant 300 denier polyester - are designed to provide year-round protection. 

You can visit our online store to order replacement parts, lubricants, and oils. 

Following these quick and easy tips will help protect your snow blower during the off-season and ensure that it’s ready to perform when you need it next. Perform this checklist each year to make your snow blower lasts for years to come!