Honda manufactures a remarkably resilient line of snowblowers, and the company has always been appreciated for its ability to deliver equipment that requires relatively little maintenance or repair throughout the winter season. That being said, however, some forms of maintenance are simply unavoidable. Whether that means checking fluids like motor oil or checking and potentially replacing the skid shoes and scraper, certain steps should be taken on a yearly basis to ensure smooth operation and maximum longevity.

As with any piece of major equipment, maintenance work performed on a Honda snowblower should always be done in the safest way possible. To help protect its customers from injury, the company maintains a long and in-depth guide to maintenance intervals, best practices, and the safest way to perform each task in order to keep the machine in working order. Those who follow these steps can rest assured that they’ll be able to survive the coldest months of the year while clearing their walkways with ease, never risking their safety or wellbeing in the process.

Snowblower Maintenance: When and How to Replace the Skid Shoes and Scraper

Honda recommends that owners of its popular snowblowers check the auger skid shoes and scraper on a regular basis before using the equipment for any snow removal. Generally speaking, this means that homeowners should check the skid shoes and scraper a few days before an impending snowstorm, or at the beginning of the winter season itself. The company recommends checking the parts and adjusting, if needed. Checking a few days before the arrival of a storm will allow for proper adjustment or replacement, if necessary.

To perform this check, be sure that the snowblower is switched off and that the spark plug cap has been disconnected. This will prevent any unplanned starting of the engine. Next, lift the auger’s housing off the ground and step on the foot pedal. This will raise the auger to its highest available position. Use a block of wood, or another prop, to hold up the scraper and keep the auger in position during this process.

Next, measure the thickness of the skid shoes on the left-hand and right-hand sides of the equipment. If they are exceedingly thin, they will need to be removed and replaced before the snowblower can be put into active use after a snowstorm. For side-mount skid shoes, the minimum thickness allowed is 1.5 mm. Those that use a rear-mount system must be replaced at a slightly thicker measurement of 2.5 mm. If neither of the skid shoes is excessively worn, the prop can be removed from beneath the blade, the auger can be lowered, and the casing can be closed. The snowblower is ready and able to perform its task at full capacity.

Best Practices: How to Ensure Safe Maintenance and Repairs

First and foremost, always read the instructions that came with the specific Honda snowblower model being checked for skid shoe wear and tear. These instructions contain model-specific guidelines and notices that will help ensure maximum safety throughout the procedure.

Also be sure that the engine has been switched off and that the spark plug cap has been removed, allowing some insurance against things like an unexpected engine start and carbon monoxide poisoning during the evaluation and replacement process. Never conduct maintenance of any kind when the engine is switched on, or when the spark plug wire is connected. This represents a significant safety hazard.

Finally, be aware that snowblowers do use gasoline and thus represent ample opportunities for fires and burns. When servicing and cleaning the equipment, stay away from cleaning agents and chemicals that are labeled flammable. Use
only non-flammable solvents and cleaning chemicals when servicing and maintaining a Honda snowblower.

Parts and Replacements: Where to Find the Right Tools for the Job

To get the right parts for any Honda snowblower, owners of this popular piece of equipment need look no further than the parts lookup tool on HondaLawnParts.com. The website allows Honda owners to narrow their searches to a specific engine, product family, or snowblower model, allowing them to receive results that show only those parts compatible with their equipment.

Best of all, the Honda parts lookup tool at HondaLawnParts.com can find the right parts for both Honda equipment and any engines that are manufactured by the company. This allows for double the convenience, ensuring that customers can find the right replacement engine parts, as well as replacement skid shoes, scrapers, augers, and other snowblower parts, with relatively minimal product knowledge and experience. It also serves as a great do-it-yourself parts lookup and replacement tool that will save customers the hassle of traveling to their nearest store.

With the right combination of efficiency and convenience, the parts lookup tool is the perfect companion to thorough safety procedures and Honda’s own instruction manual for regular snowblower maintenance.