Winter is here and it came with a vengeance. The relentless march of snow falling means snow removal. Whether you are just shoveling your sidewalk, firing up your snow blower, or hopping in the cab of your snow plow, NAPA has everything you need to keep your snow removal equipment in top shape for the fight against old man winter. Snow Shovels When it comes to clearing snow the classic snow shovel is still a must-have tool. There’s a reason why the image in most people’s heads when they hear “snow shovel” is one of the best shovels for snow. The wide blade can clear a large area so you can tak ..read more

Snowblower troubleshooting always seems to rear its ugly head right when you need your equipment the most. You rarely ever try to use your gear when the driveway is clear and the skies are blue, which means you end up trying to figure out what’s wrong while the flakes fly and the clouds get darker and darker. That doesn’t mean you should give up hope — but it does mean you could use a quick checklist to get you started on fixing the problem. 1. Does It Start? If you can’t get your snowblower to start, first check the obvious things you might have overlooked. Is it full of fuel? Is the battery ..read more

Synthetic motor oil is routinely recommended for car engines. But what about in small engines such as snowblowers, mowers, trimmers, chainsaws and leaf blowers? After all, the same protection should apply, including temperature control, reduced friction and wear and longer equipment life. So, is using synthetic oil in a snowblower the right move? Read on to find out. The Case for Synthetic Motor Oil Synthetic oil is a common and popular option when changing your vehicle’s motor oil. It has a proven record of supplying optimum overall protection against engine wear. It also lasts longer than co ..read more

Imagine for a moment the annoyance of realizing in the aftermath of the first big blizzard of the season that your snow blower won’t start. Sure, you could reach for a shovel, but dispensing with that sort of hard labor is the very reason you bought the machine in the first place. The key to avoiding this frustrating scenario lies in preparation. It’s important to learn how to “winterize” a snow blower — that is, store it correctly for the many months when it won’t be needed. The process is pretty much the same as storing your other motorized toys and tools over the winter, with the only diffe ..read more

Snow can create hazardous conditions on your sidewalk or driveway. Using a shovel to create a path is one option for clearing it, but going that route can take a toll on your back. Fortunately, there is another option for snow removal that’s less taxing than using a shovel: a snow blower. Here we will offer guidance on how to use a snow blower safely and effectively. And remember to be considerate of your neighbors. Prep Work Before you get started with snow removal, there are a few things you will need to do to get ready for the task: Prepare the area. Conduct a property inspection to remove ..read more

Knowing how to replace a tire tube comes in handy when you need to fix a flat on a wheelbarrow, snow blower or lawn mower. It’s not hard to do, and it’s something even a novice can manage. Here are the steps you’ll need to replace a tire tube, as well as some additional tips. Safety First Make sure you’re in a well-lit area with a level surface and you have eye and hand protection. When you’re dealing with a piece of inflated rubber it’s possible for items to go airborne as you work, and there might also be dirt or other debris stuck in the treads that could scratch your hands. Once you’re rea ..read more

The big storm has finally come. A shovel won’t do. It’s time to fire up the snowblower and clear a path. But wait! Why is the snowblower not throwing snow? As with all mechanical things, sometimes a snowblower will stop doing what it’s supposed to do for various reasons. Here’s what to look for, what to fix or replace, and some tips on how to keep your snowblower in peak condition. Caution: Before doing any of these things, make sure the snowblower is turned off, and disconnect the power if it’s electric or the spark plug if it runs on gasoline. Only examine the machine on a level surface. An ..read more

Among nature’s most beautiful scenes is the morning sun reflecting its dazzling light off newly fallen snow. The beauty of this scene, however, lasts only as long as it takes to realize you now have to shovel. To that end, the following are several snow shoveling tips created with your back’s preservation in mind: 1. Shovel in Small Batches While the snow is still falling, get out your shovel and begin the snow-removal process. You’ll have to shovel again once the storm has finished, but you’ll have less snow to move at one time. The snow will also be lighter, and you’ll be less likely to hurt ..read more

If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, you may have coveted your neighbor’s snowblower for some time before finally getting one of your own. Since it’s a machine with a small engine, it’s important to know how to change oil on a snowblower to keep it running smoothly. Luckily, it’s an easy job to tackle in under an hour with the right tools and know-how. Why Change the Oil? Snowblowers have small combustion engines where the oil lubricates the internal components and dissipates heat that would otherwise build up quickly and destroy the engine as a result of the friction. In the proces ..read more

Modern snowblowers are incredibly powerful machines with many features and options. In comparison to the backbreaking chore of clearing snow by hand, a snowblower can clean your driveway and sidewalk quickly, and it has the added bonus of being pretty fun to use. But these large machines can also be dangerous and cumbersome if you don’t know what you’re doing. This guide will help you understand how to use a snowblower safely and efficiently for the best results. Know Your Machine First and most importantly, familiarize yourself with your equipment. Most snowblowers today are self-propelled, a ..read more