I purchased my first snow blower – I got it home – Now What?
Paul
Paul
I’ve purchased my first snowblower (Ariens 921030) after reading your site. Do you have any links, or any lists, that I could view that would suggest accessories, fuel additives, maintenance items a first time user/buyer should be purchase? I want to be prepared for the winter and any help or direction you provide would be much appreciated.
Shear pins for MTD built snow blowers (Troy-Bilt, Craftsman, Cub Cadet) are all the same EXCEPT the 33 and 45 inch snow blowers (also the 900 series 30 inch Cub Cadet) MTD shear bolts are for tractor mounted snow blowers.
Husqvarna, Mcculloch, Poulan, Poulan Pro, Brute, Murray, Simplicity, Snapper, Briggs & Stratton all use the same shear bolt.
With the Ariens you won’t need belts right now. Your belts should last you 5 years or longer.
MTD Brands, I suggest having a spare blower belt hanging on the wall of your garage: Get the belt number out of your owner’s manual then go here and search for the belt. MTD Snow blower belts For example Search “954-0430” or “Cub Cadet 954-0430”
I use SEA FOAM fuel stabilizer. I put 2 tablespoons per gallon in my gas can when I go buy my fuel. You are welcome to use any brand but if you can – use one with a moisture absorber.
If you want to change your oil after the first 5 hours, I recommend that you do. Use what the manual lists or 5W30 synthetic. I’ve been using Mobil One for years.
Be sure to adjust you skid shoes so there is about 1/8 inch of clearance under the scraper bar (the bottom of the blower housing) this will keep the snow blower from hanging up on cracks in your sidewalks and keep it from wearing. Make the gap a little higher if you are blowing snow on gravel.
Many people keep and extra spark plug around but I don’t. I use the Sea Foam, a good sealed gas can and I don’t have problems with fouled plugs. I usually change the spark plug every 3-4 years.
After you use it for 30 minutes the first time, look it over and make sure all the bolts are tight and clips, etc are in place. After that check it every 5 hours or so. Snow blowers are mechanical devices and every once in a while something will rattle loose.
