So how often to grease the snow blower?

[ctfjr]

I just mounted my 3pt blower yesterday and was getting ready now to go grease the zerks and wipe some down the chain. In the past I have always greased it at the beginning and end of the season.
So the 1st thing that occurred to me was it's just been sitting in the basement for 9 months. . . . right after it was cleaned and greased.

Then I started thinking about the actual number of use hours. Here in CT we really haven't had a lot of snow the last few years. I'd guess less than 10 hours actual run time each year. In the past when we would get substantial snow I would grease it at least once more in Jan-Feb.

Now that I'm older the extra greasing is more like work than fun - not a lot but. . . Of course there is the theory that you can't grease it enough. I'm sure that's true but when does it become a waste of time?

I have to admit now when I'm using only rear implements and not the fel, I let the fel greasing go to 15 hours.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Heck, I'm wondering just how the heck you get the snowblower in and out of the basement !!
Greasing a Zerk or two HAS to be a LOT easier than moving the snowblower......

 

[DustyRusty]

Make sure to keep the augers well-greased, because if they rust, you will never get it apart. I used chain and bar oil on my chain for many years and it sticks to the chain well. I also kept spare chains in the garage in the event one broke. It was cut to size and had the master link in the bag with it. If the chain broke while blowing snow, I could have it back in working order in a half hour. Grease is inexpensive, so greasing every 5 or 6 hours can't hurt.

 

[yorkies77]

I grease all the zerks at least every 10 hours. I feel that’s very cheap insurance. Is it a pain to do it tha Often? Yes it is. When I was working as a logger we greased the cat, skidder, and loader every day when we finished work.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

Greasing before using an implement:

1. Gives you time to sober up.
2. It's light outside.
3. Gives others time to find you so you can solve their problems.
4. You're rested so there's less chance of you getting hurt.
5. You know it's greased if you just greased it, especially if you greased it six times while sobering up.

 

[ctfjr]

Heck, I'm wondering just how the heck you get the snowblower in and out of the basement !!
Greasing a Zerk or two HAS to be a LOT easier than moving the snowblower......

lol! Doesn't look so hard to me

I made up the angle iron rollers that bolt right into the shoe holes. After mounting, just lift up and swap out for the shoes. In the spring reverse process.

Oh, yes getting into basement is so much easier when one side is walkout, with a garage door.

 

[jkrubi12]

I grease the rest of the tractor @ 10 hours so I tend to grease whatever is attached at that time. For a snowblower I would recc'd spraying all surfaces with thin, light silicone-based lube that drives moisture off the surfaces (make sure they're cool first) after finishing work & storing.

 

[mikester]

I grease mine when required and before I put it away in spring. I've only used mine twice this season so far and maybe 4x last year. I love global warming, bring it on!