Spring will be here before you know it, and that mean an end to snow. Before you store your Cub Cadet snowblower for the season, there are a few things you should do to ensure it’s ready to run next winter.
Remove the Fuel
Gasoline breaks down as it ages, becoming less combustible and leaving deposits that can clog your snowblower’s fuel system. Before storing, all fuel should be removed. Gasoline can be moved from the fuel tank to a gas can using a siphon hose. Some engines have a drain plug on the float bowl to remove the last bit of fuel from the carburetor and fuel line. If your engine doesn’t have this feature, let it run until it’s completely out of fuel.
What should you do with this scavenged fuel? Pour it into the gas tank of your car. When mixed with fresh fuel at the pump, it will work fine with your vehicle’s engine.
Change the Oil and Check the Spark Plug
Regardless of how much you used your snowblower this season, it needs to be stored with fresh, clean oil.
The cylinder should also be lubricated before storage. To do this, remove the spark plug, add a couple drops of oil to the combustion chamber through the spark plug hole, and turn the engine over a couple times. This will give the inside of the cylinder an even coating of oil and eject any excess oil to prevent over-compression when you go to start it next season. While you’re doing this, take a look at the spark plug and make sure it’s in good shape and gapped correctly. Don’t forget to reinstall the plug when you’re done.
Clean the Snowblower
This doesn’t just make your equipment look good: dirt can gather moisture which can accelerate rust. Never use a pressure washer near the engine, as this can force water inside where it can damage internal components. Instead, use a garden hose and car wash soap. Once clean, dry the snowblower with a towel.
Check the Condition of Wear Components
Now is a good time to look over the function of the snowblower and fix any issues. Make sure the cables move freely, the skid shoes and belts are in good shape, and the auger is straight.
Lubricate and Protect
Check your owner’s manual to find out which lubricants need to be used on each moving component: some metal parts need silicone spray, others need a coating of light oil, and some plastic components may need a PTFE lube. Any chipped paint surfaces should be re-coated with a touch-up paint.
This step doesn’t just ensure everything moves freely, it also provides a moisture barrier, keeping components from rusting into place after months of storage.
Put the Snowblower in Storage
Your Cub Cadet should be stored on a level surface to keep oil from seeping through or out of the engine.
Don’t store the snowblower near any source of spark or open flame, including furnaces and power tools. There might still be a small amount of gas inside the fuel tank which means there are fuel vapors that could ignite.
Don’t put a tarp over the snowblower. This can trap moisture which can accelerate rust.
Where to Get Parts for Your Cub Cadet Snowblower
www.cubparts.com is a certified Cub Cadet dealer. We carry the full range of OEM parts for your snowblower and engine, and our search engine even has built-in factory diagrams and descriptions, making it easy to find the part you need. We ship parts and accessories across the U.S. and Canada.