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Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

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solara


Location: Boston
Joined: Jun 16, 2004
Points: 252

Do you?
Original Message   Jan 20, 2005 12:11 pm
a) when shutting off the blower (for the day, not the season), first turn off the gas so the gas in the carb is expended?

b) if no primer bulb, when starting, do anything other than placing throttle on high and opening the choke?

Thanx.

(BTW, 2 - 3 inches in boston which i moved     (easily) w/ the jacobsen snowburst as i flooded the toro 826.)

2004-2005 Ariens 11528LE
Jacobsen snow-burst
Replies: 1 - 13 of 13View as Outline
Richie


Bring On The White Stuff

Location: Long Island, New York
Joined: Dec 12, 2003
Points: 562

Re: Do you?
Reply #1   Jan 20, 2005 12:31 pm
Hi Solara,

As a habit, after every time I've finished with the blower, I shut off the fuel valve and allow the blower to expend whatever is left in the bowl of the carb.  I really think it's good practice, but everyone is different.  It really isn't an inconvenience to me because I always allow the machine to run for a short while anyway, which is supposed to be good for a snowblower anyway.  As for starting your machine, unless it is an older snowblower, prior to the EPA mandating these lean carbs, I'd try not throttling it up to the maximum position.  If you don't have the instruction manual as a guide, I'd experiment with it to see where the sweet spot is.  Hope this helps. 

Richie
JohnEDavies


Joined: Sep 7, 2004
Points: 177

Re: Do you?
Reply #2   Jan 20, 2005 12:39 pm
I don't turn off my fuel valve until the engine is shut down after a 2 minute cool down. But I _always_ use Stabil so I don't have any worries about carburetor deposits.

I don't like to let the engine run full rpm until it has warmed up a minute or two. I think it is a bit hard on the internal parts. (Your car doesn't race at 3600 rpm when you first start it.)  I usually go full choke and 1/2 throttle; then immediately 1/2 choke and throttle back to a fast idle for a while. I rarely need to use the primer since I don't let the carb run dry.

Every machine is different. Experiment and do what seems to work for you.

John

AJace


I have an Ariens 926 Pro because I like Orange



Location: Near Gettysburg
Joined:
Points: 969

Re: Do you?
Reply #3   Jan 20, 2005 1:19 pm
I usually pull the starter rope to the first little resistance.  Then pull a full stroke to start the engine.  They say that you get the most pulling power that way.  Sometimes I catch myself just taking the rope and forgetting. 

Ariens 926 DLE Professional; Toro S200; Craftsman LT1000, Echo ES-230;

Dave___in___CT


Deliberate often...
...decide once...


Location: West-Central Connecticut
Joined: Sep 17, 2002
Points: 3159

Re: Do you?
Reply #4   Jan 20, 2005 2:12 pm
Hi...

I do not shut the fuel valve off... it is he best thing to do though... I should start doing this...
Two weeks ago I noticed the plastic fuel filter was broke and dripping fuel... !
My machine stays outside under a roof... and not in/near the house...

I would not run the carb dry... and for starting... I use 1/4-1/2 throttle to start then ease it to an idle for a few minutes... then gradually increase the RPM...


Dave...


Whether you think you can or you can't... you're right.
Henry Ford

   BCS Tractor & snowblower

lland


Joined: Sep 17, 2002
Points: 605

Re: Do you?
Reply #5   Jan 20, 2005 4:05 pm
Whenever I use the fuel shut-off vlave I forget about it and wonder why it won't start nex time.  I just pull the "key" out.  No problems yet.

LL

2001 Toro 20023 Personal Pace
2002 John Deere Trimmer/Edger/Blower
2003 Craftsman DYT 4000 - 25HP/48" w/bagger
2003 Toro 826LE Snowblower
2004 Mantis Tiller/Dethatcher/Aerator/Edger
2005 Husqvarna 145BT Backpack Blower
Rubbermaid 10CF Trailer
Craftsman 40" Plug Aerator
AJace


I have an Ariens 926 Pro because I like Orange



Location: Near Gettysburg
Joined:
Points: 969

Re: Do you?
Reply #6   Jan 20, 2005 8:29 pm
I do like Dave In CT also.  Don't want to let the machine run at high RPM's when it's cold out. 

Ariens 926 DLE Professional; Toro S200; Craftsman LT1000, Echo ES-230;

robmints


Joined: May 13, 2003
Points: 4691

Re: Do you?
Reply #7   Jan 20, 2005 8:52 pm
On my snowblower, I do whatever I can to make it start. When I'm done, I slow it down and turn it off. Before use I always check the oil and smell the dipstick.

On my mower I start Full throttle Full choke. And idle down very quickly once it starts. It only has one lever. It needs to be full up to choke. It has pressure lube. I do shut off the fuel and let it idle for a few seconds before turning it off, mostly because it is one of those Kohlers that will backfire shutdown hot.

I don't go along with the car analogy. First, some cars do idle very high when first started with no noticable effects. Second, no car engine I have ever seen depends on an oil slinger  as it's sole source of oil distribution.
Marshall


As Long As There Are Tests, There Will Be Prayer In Public Schools. ;- )

Joined: Sep 16, 2002
Points: 7730

Re: Do you?
Reply #8   Jan 20, 2005 9:00 pm
My riders:

To start, I choke at full throttle for the same reason Rob does, then go to idle. To turn it off, I idle down for 15-30 seconds, turn off the key and close the vent cap, done.
Highwind


Despite the high cost of living, have you noticed how it remains so popular.

Joined: Jan 13, 2004
Points: 985

Re: Do you?
Reply #9   Jan 20, 2005 9:43 pm
Haven't run it dry after a snow blowing session, as I have Bobby_Ps Pri-G in it and it is so cold that I'm not worried about fuel deterioration or carb gumming.

Only have a single throttle control which when in choke position sets the throttle to high speed. When I come off choke she'll be at full speed, so I'll put the throttle back to low, and warm up the hydrostatic drive before backing it out of the garage.

Summer engines I run dry as part of the shutdown, even though they have stabilizer in them.

Honda stable: HS 724 snowblower;  HRS216 lawnmower; BF2 UWWW; 5 HP, 2200 psi/2.9 GPM pressure washer.

Electric: BV2500 B&D Leaf Hog/snow duster; old 12" Weedeater.

18Degrees


Joined: Jan 19, 2005
Points: 111

Re: Do you?
Reply #10   Jan 21, 2005 12:31 am
My garage is above 32degrees,but I Still leat it warm up before hittin'  the snow.  

For cool down I-lower the RPM

                             shut off gas

                            sweep the snow off with long handled broom

                            then drive into garage before gas runs out in carberator

                            shut off

                            smile that I own a snowthower. 

                                                                                                                18Degrees

           

This message was modified Jan 21, 2005 by 18Degrees


18 Degree driveway - 928 Honda track drive - Fertilizer spreader for dispensing salt
terrapin24h


The more I learn the less i know

Location: Rochester NY, USA
Joined: Dec 18, 2003
Points: 628

Re: Do you?
Reply #11   Jan 21, 2005 11:14 am
i use stabil in all my gas and do not run the carbs dry, ever.  Something about dry gaskets over the winter/summer storage season doesn't sit well with me.  Because there is stabalizer in there, i don't worry bout gum deposits.  With that said, I DO drain the gas tank to almost empty and move the gas from the machine being stored to the machine coming out of storage.  With the SB i choke full, throttle full(just like the OM says to) and lstart.  I let it run on full/full

--chris
2001 Homelite VacAttack Blower
2001 6hp Toro PPace 22" mower
2001 Ariens 824LE
2002 6hp 2400 PSI Excell Powerwasher
2004 18hp Craftsman 27375 42" mower
2004 42cc Craftsman 18" chainsaw
AJace


I have an Ariens 926 Pro because I like Orange



Location: Near Gettysburg
Joined:
Points: 969

Re: Do you?
Reply #12   Jan 21, 2005 12:36 pm
I was talking with a local repair guy, and he said he tried running a tractor dry one time and it ruined the fuel pump.  Apparently that was his first tank that he had ran dry.  He'll never do it again, and I don't blame him.

Ariens 926 DLE Professional; Toro S200; Craftsman LT1000, Echo ES-230;

navihawk


Joined: Jan 17, 2003
Points: 1318

Re: Do you?
Reply #13   Jan 21, 2005 12:56 pm
Choke

full throttle

prime................not nessisarily in that order....

pull.Wait  30 seconds,turn choke off.Sometimes I half throttle for a bit.

Replies: 1 - 13 of 13View as Outline
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