Winter weather can be unpredictable, but that snow blower should never let you down when the snow piles up. Proper maintenance will keep your electric snow blower ready for even the toughest snowstorms, keeping pathways and driveways clear and safe. We now go over in this post some of the essential tips on how to maintain your snow blower—from caring for your engine to an auger inspection and preparing it for storage. All these minor tasks will serve as a catalyst to help one's device work properly and avoid expensive breakdowns during the coldest months.
Motor and Battery Maintenance
The engine and the battery are the heart of your electric snow blower. With winter's most forbidding weather, periodic checks on the battery become vital to ensure that your snow blower is serviceable. Your 40V lithium-ion battery should always be fully charged before use for optimal performance. In contrast to gas-powered blowers, an electric snow blower is much easier on the environment and requires a lot less maintenance overall, but the battery requires special care.
If the temperature falls below -4°F (-20°C), it may not be easy for your snow blower to start up or operate well. Take the battery indoors and let it warm up for around 10 to 15 minutes until you try to start it again. This simple act will prevent you from trying to put additional wear on the battery, which would shorten its life span. Similarly, do not store the battery outdoors or in areas where freezing temperatures are exposed for a longer period. Doing so can drain the battery, and over time, it may become prohibitively expensive to replace.
The general recommendation is to store it in a dry area where the temperature ranges between 32°F - 104°F (-1° to 40°C). Proper care of the battery will ensure the electric snow blower is prepared to serve each time winter sets in.
Auger Inspection and Replacement
The auger is the essential part of any snow blower—the part that rotates and lifts the snow to throw it. Before operating at any time, one should check the auger for any caked-up ice, scattered debris, or damage. Very often, over time, rocks, ice, or other solid materials get caught inside the auger and may potentially cause damage. Reach in and clear blockages with a clean-out tool—being sure to navigate your hands to prevent serious injury.
Performance will remain comparable if the auger paddles are checked regularly. The rubber paddles tend to wear out eventually from extensive use. If this occurs, the rubber will not be able to pick up or throw snow as it originally would. In cases where the wear on the paddles becomes extreme, the paddles should be replaced. This is easily done using a 3/8-inch socket wrench and a 5/32-inch hex key: simply remove the fasteners that secure the paddles in place and replace them. Refer to the Wild Badger Power parts page for more information on the auger and its replacement parts.
Clearing and Adjusting the Chute
In an electric snow blower, the chute guides the snow, and it needs to be kept free of blockage for it to work efficiently. With time, the chute may block up with pieces of snow and ice that block its way, making performance poor. Always clear from it, and this requires switching the snow blower off, taking out the battery to avoid accidents related to turning on by itself. Use a tool to get any build-up of ice or snow; this is very important because sometimes people have used their hands and gotten their fingers torn by the rotating blades.
Thirdly, the chute has to be constantly readjusted so that you throw the snow away from walkways and instead throw it to safer areas. It allows up to 180-degree rotation of the snow discharge direction to give you total control over where the snow goes. This also prevents snow from blowing back at your face if it's very windy outside.
Scraper Bar and Skid Shoe Maintenance
The scraper bar, or what is sometimes called a shave plate, is located on the bottom of your snow blower and is designed to clear snow all the way down to the surface. Over time this scraper bar can wear through and allow a thin layer of snow to remain on the surface after every pass. Periodically take a moment to inspect the scraper bar for signs of wear. If it's worn out, replace it. Using a Phillips screwdriver, loosen the screws that hold the scraper bar in place and replace it with a new one. This will keep your electric snow blower in good condition to give assurance that no residual snow is left behind from a clear service.
Regular checks should also be made on the skid shoes, which are there to control the height of the auger. These become most important whenever it is necessary to clear uneven surfaces, such as gravel driveways. If the skid shoes become worn, the auger can drag along the ground and cause more damage, apart from its degradation in performance.
Proper Storage and Post-Season Maintenance
Once winter is over, proper storage will prolong the life of your electric snow blower. First, clean it well, making sure to remove all snow, dirt, and moisture from the auger, chute, and body. Any moisture left on the machine can lead to rust and corrosion during its storage and render it less effective for next season.
For convenience and space-saving, remove the wing nuts on the handle and fold it down into the folded storage position. Store the snow blower in any dry, enclosed area away from corrosive materials such as salt or fertilizer. Take out the battery after use if the machine is not going to be used for a certain period of time and store separately from the machine in a cool, dry area to prevent possible damage.
Conclusion
With proper maintenance, you can count on your snow blower to serve with consistency through the winter months. From regular checks of the auger to proper storage, these tips will have your electric snow blower at Wild Badger Power ready for whatever winter may throw at it.