What kind of oil to pour into a snow blower: their types and features

For the smooth operation of a snow blower, not only competent and correct operation is important.

Timely replacement of consumables, care and maintenance of the unit also affect its performance.

In gasoline and diesel snow blowers, special attention should be paid to the engine oil and fuel poured into the tank.

This article will tell you what kind of oil should be in a snow blower, what kind of gasoline and many other useful things.

Oil requirements

Since the equipment will operate in a harsh, winter climate, any mechanical unit does not like an abundance of water and needs high-quality consumables.

When choosing, the following requirements apply:

• The ability to use one type of oil for any engine, or more precisely, its versatility.
• Fluid service life. None of the potential users of winter equipment are interested in quickly changing the oil on a snow blower; everyone is interested in doing this as rarely as possible.
• High-quality oil has a high degree of lubrication of rubbing mechanisms, which directly affects the wear of parts and their further operation.
• Energy saving is also not the last indicator on this list. The better the oil, the higher its energy savings and minimal heat loss.

When choosing a liquid to be poured into a snow blower, you need to find out what type of engine is on the unit. There are usually 2 types of motors: two-stroke and four-stroke. Each of them has its own characteristics.

To operate a two-stroke engine, you need to fill it with gasoline mixed with oil in the recommended proportions. Then the pump pumps the mixture from the tank into a special tube and further into the cylinder. Suitable oils for such an engine are those that, when burned, will leave a minimal amount of soot.

In a four-stroke engine, a special system has been invented that allows you not to mix oil with gasoline. The four-stroke invention is considered more economical than the two-stroke one. It consists of a filter, a main pump and a valve. Here the oil has slightly different functions. They consist in stable preservation of motor performance throughout the entire service life of the mechanism. Different engine designs have also given rise to different choices of oils for them.

What is oil used for?

To understand what types of oils are suitable for a snow blower and how often to change it, it is necessary to explain something. Motor oil forms a film on the cylinder-piston group and protects the engine from wear.

Engine oil also performs the following functions:

• reduces friction between engine parts;
• cools the crankshaft, pistons and other engine parts;
• when the engine is running, reduces noise and vibration;
• protects the engine from wear during a “cold” start;
• increases engine cleanliness and service life.

The snow blower operates at low temperatures and under constant load. A good quality motor oil should perform the tasks described above.

Gearbox lubricant

Another part of the snow blower that needs lubrication is the gearbox. It is located between the rotating engine mechanism and the auger. Lubricant is applied to the gearbox through a special hole using a syringe or when the mechanism is completely disassembled. In the second case, the gearbox can not only be lubricated, but also the internal parts can be cleaned.

The gearbox is the second most important mechanism after the engine and should not be forgotten. The full operation of such a unit depends on a specially selected lubricant. Lubricants for gearboxes are liquid and thick.

This is easy to determine. If the snow blower is equipped with a gearbox with an oiler, then thick lubricant is used, supplied by a syringe. In some cases, a drain bolt is installed, which indicates the use of liquid oil.

The following materials are widely used to lubricate the gearbox:

• "Ciatim"
• "Litol"

Characteristics

Types of oils and their features

Three types of oils are widely used: synthetic, semi-synthetic and mineral.

They all have their differences:

• Synthetic . Excellent engine protection, does not thicken at subzero temperatures and retains its properties on hot days. Stable operating parameters. The oil received its name due to complete synthesis as a result of chemical reactions. Typically labeled "Fully Synthetic".
• Semi-synthetic . Almost mineral, but with the addition of a large amount of synthetic additives. This allows you to improve the quality of such oil to the level of synthetic. The inscription on the packaging is “Semi-Synthetic”.
• Mineral . These types have the lowest price tag. Mineral oils are obtained by distilling petroleum, so they have weak functions. They thicken in the cold, include components that burn in the engine and clog the oil passages. But due to its low cost, the oil has become widely used. Designated as "Mineral".

Here is a small list of oils that have proven themselves well in Russian conditions:

• M-8m – mineral lubricant, resistant to temperature changes, low wear of components and mechanisms;
• M-16r – used for diesel engines, low rates of metal oxidation;
• M-82k is a mineral oil, suitable for all types of engines. When additives are added, the pour point reaches -30 °C.

Many people are interested in the question of what kind of oil should be poured into a snow blower. It all depends on weather conditions, period of operation and finances. The most common is SAE 5W30 - oil for four-stroke engines.

When do you need to buy spare parts for a Honda snow blower?

In our catalog of spare parts for Honda snow blowers, you can select products that will be useful for the most common breakdowns of units:

• Breakage of the keys securing the augers, which often happens when hitting a stone or curb.
• Belt rupture. It is recommended that you always carry a spare set and purchase it at the same time as purchasing your snow blower.
• Abrasion of the friction ring, resulting in defects appearing on the friction disc.
• Breakdowns due to improper maintenance. In the spring, it is recommended to drain the gasoline and oil and install the mechanism on the roof. In the fall, it is necessary to change spark plugs, add oil, and tighten cables.

Is it possible to use a car

The question worries many car enthusiasts who do not want to deal with the search for certain lubricants. It can be said unequivocally that when car oil is poured into a snow blower, it cannot break, but it is also not worth recommending for long-term use. These oils have different properties and purposes. A car engine heats up to +95 degrees, and a snow blower engine can heat up to 120. The difference of more than 25% is very significant. This means that the viscosity of the automotive lubricant is not enough for a snow blower.

If you urgently need to clear snow, and only use automotive oil, then the following conditions must be observed:

• every 30 minutes of work and one hour break;
• check the oil level using the dipstick;
• try not to overheat the engine.

Assembly

The Champion st656 snow blower is assembled as follows:

• The steering wheel is installed on the frame, secured with bolts and nuts included in the kit;
• fix the auger drive cable by the hole in the switching lever - for this it is equipped with a special hook;
• attach the gear shift lever to the platform;
• install and secure the snow discharge chute;
• attach its control lever using a bracket;
• install auger shear pins and slides to adjust the height of the auger box.

They check the reliability of fixation of all elements and begin to launch the equipment.

How to fill correctly and how often

Modern snow blowers have 2 oil fill options. This is a side fill hole and a top location. In the first case, it is advisable to fill the oil using a funnel. In the second case, pouring is more convenient and it’s easy to check the level.

The oil fill location has been determined; now you need to remove or unscrew the dipstick and clean around it so that no debris gets inside the crankcase. The snow removal unit must be placed on a level surface.

Now you can add oil, checking its level so as not to overfill. The dipstick should have maximum and minimum level marks. The oil volume in the snow blower engine is different for all models. It can range from 0.6 to 1.1 liters.

After filling, close the neck and start the snow blower for 20-40 seconds. After this period, turn off the engine, check the level again and, if necessary, add to the required level.

When purchasing a new unit, you need to run it in so that the parts gradually get used to each other. In winter, running-in usually lasts from 5-10 hours. After operating hours, the oil on the snow blower is changed. The old and all the rubbish must be drained, and the new must be filled in.

Many manufacturers strongly advise using mineral oil during break-in. Synthetics do not allow parts to undergo full grinding. According to the regulations, the oil change occurs at 25-50 hours (different manufacturers have their own time frames).

Regulated replacement can occur once during the winter season, within the same 25-50 hours. You need to pay attention to the oil so that its level is within normal limits. In principle, any naturally aspirated engine today is equipped with sensors, and if by chance there is no lubrication for some reason, it simply will not start. But it’s better to never forget about it.

Range of snow removal machines

The online store presents the most modern models of snow blowers with a gasoline engine. All of them are characterized by maneuverability, power, good grip on snow, and ergonomic arrangement of the operator's position. Models of snow removal garden equipment are combined into two groups:

• With a caterpillar drive, used in poor off-road conditions (loose snow or difficult terrain).
• With wheel drive, which are used when speed and maneuverability are important, mainly on flat surfaces.

Tips for use

It is important to use equipment regularly and maintain it on time. It is best to remove freshly fallen snow, not in large quantities. If the cover is already deep, but recently formed, then you need to work with the unit slowly. With compacted snow, movements should be even slower, no more than 30 cm at a time. This will reduce the load on the gearbox. Don’t forget about safety precautions: wear non-slip shoes and work in good visibility.

To make your life easier in winter and purchase a quality snow blower, you need to immediately determine what price suits you, how long it will work, whether you need to pay for the brand or buy a Chinese clone. You should not take a very cheap one, made somewhere in the basement, which costs a penny and will fall apart very soon. But it also seems stupid to pay for the name of a well-known company. You need to choose a middle ground.

With a good snow blower, snow removal will turn from hard, physical, monotonous work into a pleasant, easy winter walk in the fresh air. You should never waste money on equipment, as you will have to spend much more on your health later.

Owner reviews

Arkady, 29 years old:

“I got a snow blower not so long ago (2 years ago), after I had to shovel snow manually in my mother-in-law’s yard for a whole month (my wife gave birth, so I had to live with my mother-in-law for the first time). At first my purchase was met with hostility, they say, it was expensive, but when they found out the price and observed the work (especially the quality and speed of cleaning in comparison with a shovel), all friction disappeared. I like the unit, the controls are simple, no complications. There have been no serious breakdowns in two years, I had to tighten the bolts a couple of times, but it works like a horse! But I would advise the designers to attach a headlight to the snow blower - it gets dark early, and cleaning is done mainly either before or after work. Otherwise I'm happy with the car. Now, even though we live separately from our mother-in-law, we regularly visit once a week to clean the paths, and part-time work from our neighbors has become useful.”

Timofey Ilyich, 53 years old:

“I have my own house, a large plot, and many additional structures that I use almost every day. I can no longer clear this entire area with twists and dead ends manually - my health is not the same, so I decided to make a purchase and purchased a snow blower st656 Champion. I brought it, studied the instructions, followed all its instructions and the heat began to set in! No more back problems - just mechanics! I help my neighbors, sometimes they even hire me to clean the territory of a kindergarten (located not far from my house), so the unit has paid for its cost. Over the course of 6 years there were several breakdowns (the bolt was cut off and the spark plug burned out). Now I’m trying to provide the device with the necessary care; nothing has broken in the last 1.5 years! The unit, although made in China, has justified itself! I am satisfied with the purchase."