What oil to put in a snowthrower gearbox

How to lubricate a snowthrower gearbox

Snow plows are a type of equipment, which is mainly used in winter, at sub-zero temperatures. Accordingly, engine oil for snow blowers must have a number of properties, without which its operation is impossible.

The list of these properties includes:

• A suitable consistency. The main task of the working fluid is to ensure smooth operation of the rubbing parts of the snowblower. Consequently, it must have a certain consistency, which will allow it to quickly penetrate into the smallest grooves of gears and other elements. Too thick oil for the snow blower will not be able to effectively protect the working mechanisms of the machine, which will lead to their imminent failure;
• energy-saving ability. To lubricate the parts of the machine is not suitable composition, which quickly loses its heat. Therefore, it is best to choose materials that have maximum energy savings;
• suitability for all engine types. Some modern engine lubricants are suitable for both gasoline and diesel engines. They show the same high efficiency during operation in all weather and operating conditions;
• terms of use. It is not profitable to change the working fluid in the snowblower engine every few weeks, so you need to choose the lubricants that can work for as long as possible without losing their main properties.

Another important factor in choosing a lubricant is the presence of the right additives in it. Their list includes anticorrosive, antifoam, viscous and, most importantly. depressor components. The latter are designed to lower the pour point of the lubricant, making it usable at extremely low temperatures.

What oil to pour in the snowblower. we understand the details

When buying engine oil for a snowthrower, factors such as the operating conditions of the machinery and the properties of the lubricant should be kept in mind. Since the machine is used in cold weather, often at temperatures.30 °C, the lubricant must also have a number of specific characteristics. These include:

• Energy-saving. this property determines how quickly the oil loses heat when heated. The higher the energy-saving capability, the better the product;
• High lubrication. the oil protects engine and other snow blower parts from friction and wear. Therefore, the material must have a certain consistency to quickly penetrate into the grooves between the gears of mechanisms;
• Long service life. no one wants to change the engine oil in a snowthrower every month. To get rid of this need, you need to choose a product with a longer service life;
• Universality. most modern oils can be filled into both gasoline and diesel engines.

The modern market is literally replete with all sorts of brands of oils designed specifically for snow blowers. Such products contain all the necessary additives in the necessary proportions for the operation of machinery. One of such lubricants is 5W30.

The marking of this lubricant designates the lowest temperature of freezing of the product at the freezing point.30 °C, making the oil well-suited for use in the northern regions of most CIS countries and Europe.

What oil to fill in the snowblower??

All lubricants for snow blower engines are divided into several types.

• Mineral. a straight product that is obtained through distillation of petroleum. They contain sulfur, which greatly increases the oxidation resistance of metal. You need to choose mineral oils with no more than 1% sulfur content to avoid that. To improve the properties of a mineral product, manufacturers add various additives to its composition. As a rule, the for oils of this type are the lowest on the market;
• semi-synthetic. intermediate links, obtained as a result of mixing mineral and synthetic oils. The proportion that its manufacturers use in the production of this material is 70 % mineral grease against 30 % synthetic grease. Semi-synthetic snow blower motor oil has better characteristics than mineral oil, but the price will also be a bit higher;
• synthetic. material of this type is produced by synthesizing different in its characteristics substances, which, in their original nature, have protective properties and increased resistance to loads and changes in temperature regime. consumption of these lubricants is an order of magnitude lower than that of mineral and semi-synthetic oils. The only drawback is the rather high cost of mineral snowblower oil.

When choosing a grease of any of these types, you need to remember that each of them has an individual composition, so it shows different efficiency in those or other operating conditions of the snowthrower.

Versatile fluids are also available on the market. They are designed for use in snowmaking equipment regardless of weather conditions.

The list of universal motor oils includes:

• Oregon SAE 30 is a semi-synthetic grease with a low flow rate and fairly high cleaning properties of mechanical units;
• Ravenol Shneefraese 4-Takt 5W-30. the oil shows high efficiency at a relatively low consumption. It reliably protects the snowthrower engine mechanisms from fouling, corrosion and premature wear;

• Craftsman SAE 5W-30. this grease is suitable for both gasoline and diesel engines of snow blowers. Its constant use can reduce the noise of a running engine, reduce the consumption of fuel consumed by it, as well as clean the internal parts of the engine from corrosion;
• MTD SAE 5W-30. this German engine fluid is mainly used for 4-stroke engines of snow blowers. It shows low consumption and a high degree of protection of engine parts against wear and corrosion.

Husqvarna, Champion, and Hammerflex oils should also be added to the list of universal lubricants for year-round use.

Basic requirements to the fuel

When choosing an engine oil it is necessary to take into account the specific conditions in which the equipment will be working. Since we are talking about the winter and cold, fuels and lubricants must meet the following criteria:

• ability to save energy;
• high degree of lubrication even at low ambient temperatures;
• long machine run time between oil changes;
• Versatility in use for diesel and gasoline engines.

For small mechanized appliances, a special engine oil is available that is ideal for the snow blower. One example can be seen in the photo. If you have not found it on sale, you can also use synthetic oil, which is used in car engines. It is worth noting that in this case you will have to use this oil in the future. It is impossible to mix different types of fuel in one snowblower, otherwise there will be a chemical reaction, which will ruin the entire mechanism.

The most common and popular are two- and four-stroke machines with a gasoline engine. The first ones work on mixed fuel. Both petrol and petrol oil must not only be of high quality but must also be compatible with one another.

How to choose snowthrower gear oil?

A gearbox is a mechanism that needs continuous lubrication no less than an engine. Liquid gear oil is best suited for this purpose. Its main advantage is excellent interaction with bronze, of which, in most cases, the gearwheel is made. The transmission fluid has a homogeneous structure which does not change at low and high temperatures.

Liqui Moly, Wolf, and Kroon Oil are the best brands to use in your snowthrower gearbox. When operating a snowplow at extremely low temperatures, oils from the same brands perform well in combination with Xado additives. Such lubricants evenly coat the moving parts of a gearbox with a thin but very strong film that reliably protects them from wear and corrosion.

How to change the oil in a snowblower gearbox?

Snow plow equipment manufacturers give different advice on how often the gear oil of a snow plow should be changed. First of all, you need to determine the intensity and operating conditions of the machine. If it is used every day, with cleaning in large areas with a lot of high snow drifts and a thick layer of heavy sticking snow, then you need to change the lubricant every 50 hours. If conditions are more forgiving, the fluid can operate efficiently in the gearbox for 80-110 hours without changing.

Change the grease in a clean, warm, level area. Before you do this, the snowplow must first be lifted to access the bottom of the gearbox.

The following procedure is as follows:

• At first the machine will need to warm up;
• Then the engine must be turned off and the gearbox must be disassembled in sequence;
• The first step is to unscrew the 4 bolts and remove the protective metal cover located above the mechanism;
• After that you need to remove the hood, unscrew 2 more screws and remove the shaft with the pulley;
• After this time you will need to carefully remove the pinion from the shaft. If it does not come off, it is most likely the result of it being stuck on the shaft. Do not hit the pinion with a hammer or other hard objects, as this can damage the bronze part. You can put the shaft with the gear in a container filled with a lock release and other mechanisms, and wait about 30-45 minutes;
• Next, all the gear parts need to put in a vessel with clean gasoline. fuel will clean the elements from carbon deposits, metal chips and other harmful impurities;
• While the parts are in the container with the gasoline, you need to clean the space inside the gear compartment;
• After that, all elements of the mechanism should be thoroughly dried and installed on their regular places in the compartment;
• Next it will be necessary to apply new grease, using a syringe for this purpose;
• At the end will be left to put in place a protective cover and screw 4 screws.

After reassembling the gearbox and applying new lubricant, it is necessary to allow the parts of the mechanism to rub against each other. This will require starting the snowplow and walking with it several times over the area, removing only freshly fallen snow. After that, you can continue to operate the machine as usual.

How to Change Oil in a Snowplow Gearbox?

Change the lubricant in the standard gearbox of the snowplow used in cases when during operation the operator has detected a strong heating of the mechanism housing. The procedure for replacement should look as follows:

• First you need to remove the plastic cover that protects the reducer from shocks;
• After that, you need to disassemble the mechanism, as well as wipe the space under it from the remains of old oil;
• All parts of the unit should be cleaned by placing them in a container with clean gasoline for 12 hours;
• Next, the cleaned parts of the mechanism should be dried;
• Once the elements of the assembly are dry, they must be assembled and installed in their proper location under the housing cover.

After disassembling and cleaning the regular mechanism new grease should be applied. To do this you need to fill a syringe with oil and apply it carefully to the gears of the gearbox. The grease should evenly coat all working elements of the unit. To allow it to run in, start the machine and operate it in fresh snow for about 5 minutes.

To check the condition of the new fluid after the run-in period, reopen the protective housing cover and check the bath fluid. It should evenly and thinly coat the parts of the assembly. There should be no bubbles of blown oil on the surface of the gears.

What can be selected

It can not be said that the range of motor oils for snow blowers is impressive, which is why it is not always possible to visit the store and immediately find the necessary type of lubricant.

If we talk about specialized stores, you can usually find a few options for lubricants, which are focused specifically on snow blowers:

The first two formulas are mineral, with an impressive scope of application. And if one can have problems with finding M-82M, it’s not so hard to find M-8M. This is not surprising, since the grease has found wide application in different countries. Has good corrosion-resistant properties, not afraid of low temperatures, has a long service life. Oil can be used in both diesel and gasoline engines of snow blowers and other garden equipment.

But MT-16p is purely diesel. Also well protects against corrosion, resists oxidation processes and prevents rapid wear of engine elements.

Universal oils are especially popular among snowthrower owners. Here are some decent examples.

• MTD 5W30. German mineral engine oil designed for 4-stroke engines. Shows good fuel economy and helps start a cold engine without problems. Protects against wear and corrosion.
• Oregon 30. American semi-synthetic product. Only for gasoline engines. Cleans the inside of the engine well. Lowest possible consumption during regular operation.
• Craftsman 5W30. German development. Suitable for all types of gardening equipment with a diesel or petrol engine. Helps reduce noise, protect the engine from wear, corrosion and oxidation.
• Ravenol Schneefraese 4Takt. Has a viscosity German development. It is clear from the name of the oil that it is intended for 4-stroke engines. Minimal evaporation and consumption, does not cause oxidation processes. Can even work if the engine is not preheated.
• Hammer 10W40. Semi-synthetic oil suitable for a variety of purposes and tasks, including maintenance of power tillers and snow blowers.

Of course, the list does not end there. But try to choose only those oils that have managed to prove themselves well.

Do not forget about one more problem of choice. It’s fake. Even if you find a quality compound, make sure that the packaging is not fake and that the product inside is original.

Car oils for snow blowers

Many people are interested in the question of the use of car oils in snow blowers. There is a perception that these fluids can not be poured, and it can lead to unpleasant consequences.

In fact, these are myths that have nothing to do with reality. Most likely, such reviews and erroneous judgments are due to the fact that for the snowblower chose an unsuitable machine compound. It did not meet one criterion or the other, which led to the corresponding result.

So when you ask if you can put regular car engine oil in your snowblower, the answer is yes. If you can’t find a specialty oil, there is nothing wrong with replacing it with car engine oil.

But please pay attention to the marking. Consider the following viscosity grades.

• 20W. Suitable for regions where winter temperatures are at least.10 degrees Celsius. The snow blower should not be started in colder weather with this viscosity oil.
• 15W. Here the temperature limits are already.15 degrees Celsius, which is suitable for colder climates.
• 10W. If the temperature does not drop below zero in winter.20 degrees Celsius, you can safely buy this viscosity and fill in your snowblower.
• 5W. This is a variant for colder winters, when the thermometer shows numbers up to.25 degrees Celsius.
• 0W. Oils for the coldest regions. They are able to work in the snowthrower at temperatures outside up to.30 degrees Celsius.

Another important point is to match the type of engine. In other words, choose engine oil for the same engine type that is installed in the snowblower.

In other words, you cannot pour 4-stroke engine oil into a 2-stroke engine and vice versa. Although in this case it would be more likely to talk about motorcycle engine oils, since cars with two-stroke engines do not exist.

It is quite obvious that the summer oils for snow blowers are absolutely not suitable.

How to make a gearbox with their own hands?

In case of serious damage to the node it can be assembled from improvised means.

The following components will be required:

• One-piece bronze gear. you can buy it ready-made or have it made by a turner;
• Shaft. directly for the manufacture of the element is suitable pipe from 45 steel;
• bearings. closed elements of roller type will do. They can be bought as a set so that, in case of wear, you can quickly replace the parts with new components;
• The gaskets can be fitted with a suitably sized gasket made of thick, frost-resistant rubber;
• housing. it is best to buy a prefabricated silicon or aluminum box.

The order of assembling the homemade unit is as follows:

• First, the bearings and the previously purchased pinion must be securely fastened to the tube to be used as the shaft. For this purpose it is necessary to grind seats for details to stand firmly and not to fly off from a pipe;
• Next, one of the parts of the shaft must be attached to the aluminum housing. This should be done in such a way that the bearings and the bronze gear are placed inside the housing itself;
• Then both parts of the shaft will need to close the glands. this is necessary to ensure that the used lubricant does not flow out of the mechanism during its operation;
• After that, the operator will need to install the second part of the body and connect it to the first with a bolted connection.

If the correct procedure is followed, the manufacturer will be able to assemble a simple serviceable assembly that can transmit the force from the motor to the factory snowthrower auger.

Husqvarna ST 224 Snowblower. model equipment

This multifunctional model is suitable for clearing almost any type of snow, as well as clearing snow drifts of wet sticky masses. The machine shows equally high efficiency when working on flat areas, as well as on areas with variable terrain.

The basis of the basic device firm Husqvarna snow thrower consists of a powerful gasoline motor, the volume of the cylinder 208 cm3, and electric starter, which initially receives power from the built-in generator. Disk clutch and multistage transmission provide the linkage between the engine and the wheel drive.

A differential lock mechanism is included for increased maneuverability. It allows you to turn the machine virtually on the spot and easily enter sharp turns.

Husqvarna snow blower parameters include;

• Engine output/torque 6.3 l. с./6000 rpm;
• diameter of built-in auger. 30.5 cm;
• the diameter of the factory pneumatic rubber wheels is 38 cm;
• sound impact on the operator. 99 dB.

The machine stands out for its relatively low weight of 90 kg. The snow blower’s basic equipment includes a heated handle system, a bright headlamp, and reliable overload protection.

Can you use automotive oil

If you can’t buy engine oil specifically for the snowthrower, you can use automotive. Before doing so, make sure that the types of engines are the same. both the snow blower and the vehicle. It is forbidden to pour summer oil in winter and vice versa.

When pouring automotive oil into the snowblower, you should consider important points. Take a short break every 30 minutes. It is necessary to control the liquid level and not to overheat the motor.

Is it possible to assemble the gearbox with your own hands

Also, many are interested in the question of possible assembly of the reducer for the snowthrower with their own hands. In theory, it can be done. In practice, everything is not as easy as it may seem.

To assemble a working gearbox for a snowthrower, you will need to find or buy components from other types of equipment. We are talking about a fairly complex unit. Because of this, there’s no need to talk about assembling it with our own hands from scratch.

This can be understood on the example of the main elements of the snow gears.

• Housing. It’s an element inside which the moving parts are located. The body consists of two halves, which are connected to each other, ensuring tightness. It is not possible to make the housing yourself. Just buy. The costs are not high. They usually go for about 700 or 800 for one half. As a result, the body turns out to be quite inexpensive.
• Gears. To make a pinion gear, you need to have special equipment for cutting and machining metal. Not many people have it in their garage or home. That’s why it’s better to buy one. To give you an example, the factory-fitted gears on Patriot snow blowers retail with
• Glands. These are the sealing elements. No grease leaks through the joined halves of the housing thanks to the oil seals. One gland costs literally 100-120. Here, too, costs are kept to a minimum.
• Slotted bolts. These are special bolts that perform the connecting and safety function. Located on the gear shaft. Just shear bolts are quite possible to make their own hands. It is based on usual bolts of suitable length, on which it is necessary to grind grooves. An angle grinder with a good saw blade is helpful.
• Bearings. The snowplow gearbox is suitable for closed-type roller bearings. They are inexpensive and easy to find on sale. You can’t assemble your own bearings.
• Shaft. You can use a metal pipe for the shaft. It is desirable to use steel of grade 45, which will provide the necessary resistance to stress.

So it turns out that almost all elements of a homemade gearbox are spare parts which have to be purchased separately. Technically, it is impossible to make them with your own hands. Requires special skills, as well as special equipment.

The advantage of self-assembly in one. the price. Even if you buy all the elements separately, in the end the costs will be much lower than if you buy a ready-assembled gearbox from the manufacturer. But is it worth the risk? All the same, self-assembly has certain difficulties. Precision and consistency are important here. Failure to do so will mean the gearbox will no longer work and you will have wasted time and money

This is why most snow plow owners prefer to buy a new gearbox. And also try to use equipment with a serviced unit, so that by periodically changing the lubricant significantly extend the service life.

Tips for operating gearboxes

Whether you own a car or a snow blower, you want long, trouble-free, and efficient service.

If we talk about snow blowers, it is the condition of the gearbox that largely affects the service life and efficiency of operation. In order for it to create a minimum of problems, you should adhere to several rules, as well as follow certain recommendations:

• Always use only high quality lubricants. In the case of serviced gearboxes, you need gear lubrication. If you replace it with something cheaper, it will eventually wear out faster and have to be replaced. That’s a whole other level of expense.
• Take a 10-minute break every hour the machine is running. This is good for the motor and the gear unit itself. Taking a rest protects against overheating, which can have unpleasant consequences.
• Use the auger drive lever only when necessary. Do not squeeze it out unnecessarily. Each push is a strain on the drive cable. The more often you do this, the sooner it will wear out and need to be replaced.
• Make sure the grease does not leak from the gearcase. If you see even small droplets of grease on the surface, it’s a red flag. Before anything terrible happens, you should disassemble the housing and install new oil seals.
• Check the snow on the area to be treated. It is extremely important to prevent any hard objects from getting into the snow blower. Otherwise components, including the gearbox, can be damaged.

If we talk about the importance of the snowplow elements, the gearbox is objectively ranked second right after the engine.

Before using it, it is recommended to study the manual, read the manufacturer’s advice, get acquainted with all the features and rules of working with the equipment.

The more carefully you treat the snow blower and its elements, the longer the unit will last without serious breakdowns and the need to invest a lot of effort and money in repairs.

Do you have a snow blower? How often do you use it?? How often do you service the machine?? Have there been any problems with the gearbox? Have you replaced or repaired it??