Can Snowblowers Be Stored Outside? 9 Things You Should Know

Not sure if you can store your snowblower outside? Let us help. We’ve compiled a list of nine essential things you need to know to ensure your snowblower is stored correctly and ready for the next winter season.

Can Snowblowers Be Stored Outside?

Snowblowers can be stored outside, but proper precautions are required. Clean thoroughly and remove debris. Protect metal parts with rust preventative. Use a cover or tarp to keep it dry and shielded. Store off the ground, away from open flames.

Want to ensure your snowblower is ready for the next snowfall? Our guide outlines nine essential factors to consider when storing your snowblower outside, helping you keep it in top shape for the next winter season.

How to Prepare Your Snowblower’s Storage for the Off-Season

After enjoying an excellent performance from your snowblower all through the winter, it is time to reciprocate- this can only be done by adequately storing away your snowblower for the summer.

It is safe to assume you are excited about summer’s warm weather, the somber vacations, the beach, thin dresses, and more. However, amid all the excitement, do not just throw your snowblower outside and forget about it.

Also, please do not make the error of shoving the snowblower in one corner of your house and forgetting it there. You must make sure your machine is adequately prepared for off-season storage. The following are some things that you should do before storing your snowblower away for the season:

• Maintenance check: Carry out one final overall maintenance check, replacing damaged or faulty parts where necessary.
• Hand-wash, clean, and dry off the equipment’s exterior and the engine to prevent corrosion and damage.
• Touch up rust: Make sure you touch up all the rusted or chipped paint surfaces after lightly sanding them.
• Rust prevention: Use a rust preventive to cover bare metal parts such as the auger housing and the impeller. If you store the tool in an unventilated area, use light oil or silicone.
• Secure handles: For those models with folding handles, make sure you loosen the knobs that secure the upper handle and rotate it.

For gasoline-powered snowblowers, the following should be done before storing them in summer storage:

Fuel:

Ensure you prepare the fuel system for storage by emptying or draining the fuel or oil. This will prevent gum deposits from forming in the tank, air filter, hose, and carburetor during storage.

The storage care for every snowblower model can vary depending on the manufacturer, so you should follow the instructions for your specific model.

Some may recommend running the equipment until the fuel tank, fuel lines, and carburetor are empty, while others will tell you to run the unit using fuel mixed with a fuel stabilizer. Either way, the same result will most likely be achieved.

Fuel stabilizer:

When storing a snowblower with a fuel-stabilizer mix in the fuel tank, please keep it in an area where fumes will not come into contact with a flame to prevent any accident.

Remove the Spark Plug.

This is often a matter of preference or choice. If you do not want to replace or clean off your spark plug when winter comes, you can take it out and store it in a sealed bag to stay clean through the summer.

Wrap it:

You can decide to wrap it back up. Usually, when you purchase a new snowblower, it often comes with a canvas bag or casing, which is supposed to be used to wrap it during non-use periods.

Wrapping your snowblower will keep it clean and safe from dust and other foreign objects that can cause damage.

How to Store a Snowblower Outside

1. Clean Off Salt and Debris

It is essential to clean and dry off your snowblower before storing it away. To do this, hand wash the machine’s exterior with mild soap, focusing more on areas where salt and debris collect. Then, spray down the machine using a low-pressure hose to clean off all the dirt.

Allow the equipment to dry in the sun, ensuring all accessible parts are also dry, and then you can store it. However, do not keep the snowblower in the sun for too long (nothing more than 2 to 3 hours).

Once you have cleaned and dried the snowblower, you may decide to touch up areas with chipped paint or rust. Lightly sand the surface and apply a thin coat of automotive paint.

2. Protect the Metal with a Rust Preventative or Lubricant

  As you know, snowblowers are not water-resistant, so it is critical to occasionally protect this unit’s visible components by lubricating them. Lubricant or rust preventative will prevent moisture from directly contacting the metal, ensuring all the moving parts remain functional.

Remove the bottom cover and focus your lubrication on the following critical areas, using a thin lubricant layer to achieve even better results.

• The gears
• Hex shaft
• Chain
• Auger shaft
• Axle shaft
• Pinion shaft

3. Protect the Machine by Using a Snowblower Cover

Instead of using the cover with the machine, we recommend purchasing a snowblower cover specific to that particular model.

A tarp is another material you can use to cover the machine; it is also quite effective since you want to protect your equipment from moisture, debris, and pests. Before finally putting on the cover, you should fold the handles if your model allows.

4. Find an Appropriate Storage Spot Outdoor

The best place to store your snowblower is indoors, away from dust and particles. However, if you do not have enough space inside or need to store the equipment outside, it must be lifted off the ground and completely covered.

Also, ensure you never store your snowblower close to an open flame or pilot light, like those on a gas dryer.

5. Consider a Storage Unit

It is always a wise option to store your snowblower in a clean, dry, and flame-free area, so you might want to consider keeping it in a storage unit, especially if you don’t have a garage. Different snowblower outdoor storage ideas exist, and using a self-storage unit should also be considered.

You will be surprised at how affordable, accessible, and safe self-storage units are. These units come in different designs and sizes, so you can quickly select a unit based on your preference that best suits your purposes without paying for unused space.

– The Benefits of Using a Storage Unit

When you have a garage, chances are, you will always have to deal with keeping the garage clean and clear. However, with a self-storage unit, you can easily choose a space outside your home that is safe and easy to access to keep your snowblower.

One essential step when searching for a storage unit for your snowblower is to consider the size. Snowblowers come in different sizes, so you have to choose a unit that can fit your equipment without any issues

6. Consider a Mini Shed/Container

If you want to store your snowblower somewhere other than a garage or storage unit, you may be lucky enough to get away with a container or mini shed big enough to house your snowblower. You may need to spend some hundred dollars to achieve this, though.

Remarks

The bottom line of this article is that keeping your snowblower properly stored away throughout the year will extend its lifespan and maintain its performance. Before you store it away, drain the gas tank and the chamber to ensure no moisture could damage the system. Your snowblower must be dry and in good condition before being placed in moorage.

So, you can do yourself a massive favor by looking at some outdoor snowblower storage ideas that you can utilize efficiently for a long time. Remember, the time you have worked hard to maintain your snowblower will pay off in the long term. Consider storage rentals in America for long-term storage if you lack space at home.

They are equipped to store fine china and delicate items, so rest assured your snowblower will be safe. As always, we hope this article has been enlightening and helpful in helping you take good care of your equipment. Ensure your snowblower engine is ready to go the next time you need it.