Outdoor Power Tools

The Ultimate Guide on How to Start a Snow Blower

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Snow Blower

If you are anything like me, then winter is not your favorite time of year. The cold weather and snow do not exactly make for a fun time. But there is one thing that I love about the winter: snow blowers!

There is nothing quite as satisfying as firing up my new snowblower and watching the pile of snow in front of my house melt away. If you are excited to purchase a new snowblower but are not sure how to start it, then this blog post will show you how!

What Is a Snow Blower and How Does It Work?

A snow blower is a machine that helps clear away snow from driveways and sidewalks. Snowblowers are often used in areas where heavy amounts of snow accumulation occur during the winter, or when it snows heavily for an extended amount of time.

Snow blowers work by throwing large quantities of light fluffy snow into the air using a spinning auger. The snow is then blown into the air and towards an exit chute on the front of the machine, where it can be thrown away to create a path free from heavy piles of snow.

How To Start a Snow Blower with Gas, Electric, Or Manual Ignition?

The process for starting your new snowblower varies depending on which type you have. First, you will need to figure out which type of system your brush snowblower has.

If it is a gas-powered one, then all the user needs to do is turn on the fuel and put in enough gasoline so that there are three or four inches of fuel at the top before starting up.

To start an electric engine with a battery, simply remove the safety key, push in and turn to unlock. Now you can press the start button and a moment later it should be running smoothly on its own.

For manual ignition engines, you will need to use a butane torch or fire starter (which is common for most people) to ignite your engine first before pulling out an extension cord, connecting it to the engine’s plug and then turning on the power.

The type of ignition system your snowblower has, will determine how you start up your machine; for all three types, simply follow these instructions:

  • First, make sure there is enough gas in the fuel tank before starting up as well as a full battery for the electric engine.
  • Next, press start and wait for your snowblower to get started as you move it back and forth (for manual ignition) or pull the cord repeatedly until it starts up without having to worry about running out of gas.

Safety Tips for Using a Snowblower

  • Always wear ear protection and eye protection goggles to keep debris out of your ears and eyes.
  • Dress warmly in gloves, a hat, scarf, or other protective clothing for the cold weather.
  • Before starting up any snowblower be sure that you have read through all instructions beforehand as well as handled it before so that you know what to do.
  • Start up by making sure the snowblower is on a flat surface and then always start with the chute pointed away from yourself (to avoid any debris)
  • Before using your snowblower, clear off any obstacles in the way such as pets, children or other family members before starting up the engine.
  • While using your snowblower be sure to constantly watch for any obstacles in the way like cars, rocks or other objects that you might not see and stop immediately if something gets stuck inside of it so as not to damage anything.
  • For electric engines, make sure there is a full battery before starting up and wait for the snow blower to get going on its own rather than pulling on the cord.
  • Once finished using your snowblower, be sure to turn it off by first letting go of all pressure so you do not accidentally pull out an extension cord or start up any debris while disconnecting
  • And lastly make sure that when indoors, that you do not follow any other instructions for the type of snowblower.

Common Mistakes with Snow Blowers

Fuel And Oil Are Not Mixed Properly

This is a common mistake that people often make when they first get their snowblowers.

Too much fuel or too little can cause your engine to run poorly, overheat or stop working altogether. Be sure you follow the instructions for mixing gas/oil to keep everything running smoothly!

Using An Electric Snow Blower Indoors

This can be a common mistake for those who only have electricity in their homes or apartment and do not want to deal with the hassle of starting up a manual engine. To use your electric blower, you will need to: remove the safety key, push down and turnkey counterclockwise then plug in the power cord into an outlet (do not use a portable extension cord) and hold down the start button.

Not Wearing Protective Gear

It is important to always wear ear protection, eye protection goggles, gloves, hat, and scarf when using your snowblower as well as during any other time you are outside. This will protect you from any debris that might be flying around while using it.

Not Following Instructions Before Starting Up Your Snow Blower

This is an easy mistake to make as you may assume that the same rules apply for all three types of engines, but they do not.

Pulling On an Extension Cord for Too Long

This can cause a lot of damage and is also dangerous as it could easily start flying debris around if you are not careful (also be sure not to use a portable extension cord).

Conclusion

The more you learn about how a snow blower works, the easier it will be to start your machine. We hope this guide has helped!

Paul Sellers
Paul Sellers is a renowned Outdoor Power Tools specialist with over 15 years of landscaping and tool engineering expertise. He has done his BS in Mechanical Engineering, complementing his hands-on experience with a solid academic foundation. His previous role as a product manager for a leading tool manufacturer gives him a unique perspective on tool design and usability. He ran a successful landscaping business and contributed to several industry publications. His articles blend technical expertise with easy-to-understand tips. He is also a passionate environmentalist, dedicating his free time to sustainable gardening practices.

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