Now that winter is upon us, cleaning snow can be a daunting task for most residence. Especially in more recent winters our region has received it’s fair share of snowfall and storms. It’s important to be prepared with the right tools to weather any storm safely.
Safety while using a snowblower:
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It’s here. This time of the year means one of two things: fluffy white landscapes reflecting a season of merriment or months of wet blizzards with blinding, wind-driven snow. Whatever your feelings about winter, you don’t want to get caught in the storm unprepared. If you’re notorious for waiting until the last minute and wake up one day to strong winds, flurries and freezing rain, here’s a quick emergency survival guide for a snow blower that won’t start. Start from the top of the list and move down until any snow equipment problem is remedied Check Fuel Tank Look to see if it is low or empty. When gasoline is stored over a long period of time and no fuel stabilizer is added, it loses volatility. As gasoline ages it turns into a varnish like coating in the carburetor, blocking fuel from the engine and preventing start. If this occurs, take your Sno-Thro to your local Ariens servicing dealer to clean your carburetor or replace it. If the fuel is from last winter, summer, or fall season and/or no fuel stabilizer was added before storage, drain the system through the carburetor. Once drained, pour in known fresh fuel (purchased within 30 days) and a fuel stabilizer Check Fuel Shutoff Valve Check if the engine switch is in the OFF position. If it is, turn the switch to the ON position. Check Engine Switch Many of the engines on Ariens Sno-Thro units have a “key switch” and a red toggle switch. Ensure that the red plastic key is properly inserted into the holder and the red toggle switch is in the “run” position. If either is not in the correct position, the engine will not fire causing the chance of flooding. Check Choke Position Check the choke position; turn to ON position for cold engine starts. Always use the choke to start a cold engine, turning to “Full Choke.” Check your Owner's Manual for proper choke positioning. If the temperature is above 32 degrees, priming the carburetor may flood the engine easily so try only choking the engine.
Check Throttle Position Check the throttle position (if applicable); turn throttle position to at least 3/4 speed. Check Spark Plug Check the spark plug for fuel and correct air gap. Remove the spark plug and see if it is wet (this will confirm flooding). If the spark plug is wet, turn the engine over several times without the spark plug installed to help disperse the excess fuel out of the spark plug hole. Clean the spark plug of excess fuel and reset the air gap. Reinstall the cleaned spark plug or replace with a new spark plug. Perform starting procedure again, this time without the choke on. If all of these items are checked and the unit will not start, take your unit to an Ariens servicing dealer. For quick start guides on the 2011 -2013 models - Click here. For Ariens engine manufacturer links: Briggs and Stratton, Honda, Kawasaki, Kohler, Ariens OHV / LCT, Tecumseh, Robin/Suburu, Kubota. Other related useful topics:
ARIENS Sno-Thro QuickStart Links & How to Video VIDEO: ARIENS Sno-Thro Operation Instructions Seasonal Fuel Blends: What's the difference between summer and winter fuel? Troubleshoot: Unit Fails to Propel Troubleshoot: Unit Fails to Discharge Snow Troubleshoot: Engine Fails to Start Does your snow thrower have the flu? Snow throwers can develop "flu-like symptoms" such as sputtering and sluggish starts if E10 fuel sits in the tank all winter, writes Ed Pfeifer, owner of Pfeifer Hardware in Mars, Pa. These problems may be avoided by use of a fuel treatment designed to work on "stale fuel" as well as fresh fuel. Additionally, snow throwers should be started up periodically in the off-season to prevent carburetor jets and fuel lines from becoming clogged, he advises.
Unit Fails to Propel
Unit Fails to Discharge Snow
Engine Fails to Start
Is it OK to blend fuels from season to season? What's the difference between summer and winter fuel?
Published 12/03/2012 11:47 AM | Updated 06/14/2013 12:12 PM Depending on your state's regulations, there could be up to a 30+ blend of fuel each year depending on the outside temperature. Purchase fresh fuel for your lawn and snow equipment in smaller quantities and just prior to using it for the season. It is not recommended that fuel be used from the prior season. (This applies to all fuels with 10% ethanol or less.) Winter fuel is blended to have a higher amount of vapor coming off the fuel. This helps winter equipment start in cold temperatures. However, this also causes the fuel to age quicker and if the fuel is not treated with a fuel stabilizer it will start to break down after (approximately) 30 days, causing the carburetor to plug. (This is a common scenario between winter seasons when untreated fuel is left in the fuel system.) Note: Winter fuel will breakdown at an accelerated rate, if not treated, when the temperature starts to rise in the spring of the year. So, winter fuel will work in summer engines because it is very highly volatile due to the high amount vapor coming off the fuel. Summer blended fuel will give off far less vapors and is designed for warm weather equipment use. Summer fuel has a longer life span with less need for a stabilizer. Summer fuel doesn't work well in winter equipment when trying to start an engine in 30 degree weather. Note: Fuel stabilizer is also recommended for summer fuel, due to its detergent additives that help to keep the fuel system clean at all times. Source: http://ariens.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/434/related/1 2011-2013 Sno-Thro QuickStart Links & How To Video Published 10/04/2012 02:28 PM | Updated 11/15/2013 02:52 PM >>VIDEO: How to Run & Basic Functionality of a Snowblower - Ariens U-Tube Video Please click on the following product links for the new QuickStart Guides: What's the model of your ARIENS snowblower? |