Watching from inside as snow piles up doesn’t instill dread for anyone with a snow blower that’s up to the task. Such confidence, though, could quickly turn to misery. All it takes is for one of several little things to go wrong. You can’t keep them from happening. Still, you can improve the odds of a mishap putting your snow blower out of commission just when you need it. Check the pull cord Gas-powered models with electric start have a pull cord only as a backup. But if your model lacks the easy starting, your pull cord will get much more use and might snap at a critical point—say, when you’re about to clear snow after a blizzard. Replacing it isn’t easy, but doing so can prevent hours of shoveling. When no snow is forecast, pull the cord out slowly and look for signs of fraying. If you see any, take the machine in to be serviced and with luck you'll have it back from the shop before the next storm. Keep a spare belt on hand Any gas-powered snow blower uses at least one belt.

They can be hard to replace when your hands are cold, but the greater challenge is having the foresight to order an extra or two before you need them. If one breaks while you’re clearing snow and you don’t have a spare, you’re out of business until you either buy a new one or take your snow blower to the shop.Hand Held Foam Mirror Avoid a cable outageHow To Get Toilet Paper Out Of Sink Drain Snow blowers use numerous cables that run between the control panel and the chute, the transmission, or another component. Alzheimer'S Awareness T ShirtWhile these don’t typically break, one could go slack from tight maneuvering near shrubs or something else that catches on the cable. You’ll know it when the control no longer works: A chute won’t adjust as intended or a dual-stage model’s speed control won’t change speeds or direction.

Locate the cable, which is sometimes located within a cover you’d need to unbolt, and adjust it until the control works. Adjust the tire pressure When you first buy a two-stage, gas-powered, snow blower, the tires sometimes come overinflated to reduce shipping damage. (The manual will specify the proper pounds per square inch.) But if they’re underinflated, which can occur over time, you’ll work harder to maneuver the machine and notice less traction. And if just one tire is deflated, the snow blower may lean a bit to one side. More obvious, though, are both the scraping of one bottom corner of the auger box, on the side with the deflated tire, and the corresponding line of uncleared snow that slips beneath the auger box on the other side. Stock up on shear pins The telltale sign of a broken shear pin is when one half of a gas-powered, dual-stage machine’s auger suddenly isn’t turning; it’s pushing snow instead. Such models have a transmission to drive the auger.

To protect it from overworking (say, when up against a dense, compacted plow pile), the shaft of the auger has shear pins, little bolts that are weak enough to break instead, usually halting one half of the auger’s rotation. They’ll also corrode on their own over time. Again, keep extras around that are meant for your model. It’s a quick task to tap out the snapped one and push a new one through before you secure it. But whatever you do, don’t permanently install a bolt and nut—you’ll be putting your transmission at risk since the bolts are not meant to break. Need a new snow blower? Snow blowers are being cleared out of home centers and most other sellers as mowers and grills increasingly take up floor space. So call ahead about a model you’re looking for; first check out our snow blower buying guide and our Ratings of more than 110 snow blowers. Top-scoring gas models include the two-stage, 30-inch Cub Cadet 31AH57S, $1,500, and Ariens 921032, $1,300, the compact, 24-inch two-stage Craftsman 88173, $680, and the single-stage, 21-inch Toro Power Clear 721E, $570.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)Hover over image to zoom Click image to enlarge Tap image to enlarge View Shipping + Delivery Estimates Not Available in Stores 2-ply replacement tires fit most snowblowers. 12 months parts / 12 months labor Fits Rim Size Dia. x W (in.) 6 x 3 1/4 Review Terms + Conditions Print Reviews for Sno-Hog Snowblower Tire — 4.10/3.50 x 6in. Q + A Terms and Conditions Print Questions + Answers for Sno-Hog Snowblower Tire — 4.10/3.50 x 6in. Martin Wheel Inner Tube — 410/350-6in., Bent Valve, Model# T356K Call To Order: 1-800-657-0516 Mon - Fri 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM (CST)Sat 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM (CST) Don't Know Your Part Number? Locating the part number for your item ahead of time will help ensure you quickly receive the correct items. Parts + Service Available at Stores Look for stores that have this icon: See All Snow Blower Tires (Not Yet Rated - New)

Snow Blower Tire — 4.80/4.00-8 Kenda Snowblower Tire — 13/500 x 6in. Sno-Hog™ Snowblower Tire — 16/650 x 8in. 8 x 3 3/4 6 x 3 1/2 8 x 5 3/8 See All Snow Blower Tires 2-ply replacement tires fit most snow blowers. Print Reviews for Snow Blower Tire — 4.80/4.00-8 Print Questions + Answers for Snow Blower Tire — 4.80/4.00-8 Martin Wheel Inner Tube with Straight Stem — 8in., Model# T408KHS Sno-Hog Snowblower Tire — 4.10/3.50 x 6in.How Do You Reinflate a Flat Tire on a Sears Snowblower? A snowblower with a flat tire will not do you much good. Some Sears snowblowers have tubeless tires while others have tires that require tubes. Reinflation of a tube tire is a fairly easy process. When a tubeless tire goes flat, however, the bead of the tire often separates from the the rim. Extra steps must be take to reinflate this type of tire. Plug an air compressor into a power source and allow the pressure to build up to 100 psi.

Remove the cap from the valve stem by turning it counterclockwise with your fingers. Place the tip of the tire inflator over the tip of the valve stem. Squeeze the handle of the tire inflator to blow air into the tire. Fill the tube up to 15 to 20 psi. Remove the inflator and replace the valve stem cap. Use a tire gauge to check the pressure. Press the gauge on the valve stem to get a reading. Lift the body of the snow blower up and place wood blocks under it until the tubeless tire is off the ground. There should be no downward pressure on the tire. Remove the cap from the valve stem on the rim of the tire with your fingers. Place the tip of the tire inflator on the valve stem and try airing up the tire. If the tire seats on the rim and blows up the tire, put in 15 to 20 psi. If the tire does not seat on the rim, go to the next step. Place a ratchet type tie-down strap around the circumference of the tire and ratchet it down as tight as you can get it.

Watch the bead of the tire move out toward the rim as you tighten it down. This is called seating. Place the tire inflator on the valve stem and air up the tire. Loosen the ratchet as the air fills the tire. A bead of silicone caulk can be applied in between the bead of the tire and the rim to ensure a good air seal when airing up a tubeless tire. Over-inflating a tire can result in a deadly explosion. Manage My Life: How Can I Inflate a Flat Tire on my Craftsman Snow Thrower Abby' Guide: Snow Thrower's Tubeless Tires have gone Flat Nothing stops you from getting where you need to go as quickly as a flat tire. Whether it's a slow leak that... A flat snowblower tire can really set you back if it just snowed and you can't remove any of the snow. A flat tire on your lawnmower or wheelbarrow can quickly derail a day of yard work. Tubeless tires are slightly tricky to... A snow blower tire can become flat for a number of reasons and simply stop holding air.