Like the sun rises every morning, Thursday morning will arrive just as it promises every year. Thanksgiving morning and the question always is... are you ready? Mom and Dad are there, crazy uncle Joey, and the kids. Like a well-forecasted storm, they will come charging up those front steps with eager eyes and empty bellies. Just as the predictable Thanksgiving storm approaches so does the promise of snow. Winter is just around the corner, and knowing that you must be sure that your Snow Blower is properly buttered, stuffed, browned, and ready to go.
Engine oil is the gravy to any snow blower recipe. Engine oil is a crucial ingredient to your snow blower, without engine oil your snow blower will be too dry and will break, leaving you snowed in. You can't have Thanksgiving without gravy....or stuffing for that matter which brings us to our next ingredient, shear pins. Shear pins are the stuffing, make sure that they are all intact or your blower simply won't throw snow. Snow Blower belts are the cranberry sauce. It is always good to have a couple extra belts on hand in case of emergency. Just as any Thanksgiving without extra cranberry sauce simply isn't a well planned Holiday dinner.
What is a Thanksgiving meal without a Thanksgiving dessert? There is no smell like Grandmother's famous apple pie being sliced and served around the table. Just as the warm pie fills your belly, your snow blower hand warmers spread the warmth from your fingertips to your arms. Hand warmers are Grandmother's pies, you can't imagine going a single year without them.
The Snow Blower itself, of course, is the most important item of them all, the turkey. However no matter how delicious a turkey is, it wouldn't work without all the other dishes next to it. So take care of your snow blower this season and make sure it's ready to go before the first snow fall.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and safe Winter
Sincerely,
your friends at ProParts Direct!
Every lawn-pro knows that transitioning seasons can be an intense project. Our step by step infographic makes shutting down summer operations and preparing for a cold winter an easy weekend project. We tackle everything from lawn to chimney cleaning so you can rest easy this winter!
Our list is broken into three sections – projects to get started on this weekend, things to complete soon, and lastly, items that only need a phone call to schedule. Your home may not require all the steps in the list, but hopefully it provides a helpful guide to getting your fall maintenance started.
It seems like just yesterday that we were digging out from – and preparing for – yet another snowstorm.
Buffalo saw historic levels of snow before December 1st and the Northeast experienced a February with more days with snow than without. Our dealerships
sold more snow blowers in three weeks than would normally be sold in an entire season! Demand for replacement parts quickly depleted stock in manufacturer’s warehouses and backordered parts – backed up.
Telling a frustrated snow blower owner, mid-February, that they should have completed the preventative maintenance in the fall isn't the most productive solution. That’s why we are taking the time to tell you now – now is the best time of year to tune up your snow blower! Here is why:
- Demand for replacement snow blower parts in September is low. The most common belts, bolts, and cables are in stock making for quick shipping and fast repair. Once snow is in the forecast, people enter panic mode. Grocery stores sell bread, water and batteries; hardware stores sell out of shovels and salt; and power equipment stores become the epicenter of frustrated snow blower owners who wish they had not waited to service the machine!
- Why work in the cold if you don’t have to? Unless you have a garage to perform service, chances are that you will be outside on the cold pavement. If you wait long enough, you (and everyone else) will be trying to complete the work before the first snow. No fun. Get the parts and complete the work now.
- Ordering Ariens Sno-Thro parts using Ariens Quick Part Finder is easier than ever! Just find the model and serial number tag on the back of the snow blower and begin your search. Once you find the tag, it’s a great idea to snap a photo to make ordering parts quick and easy in the future!
If you are looking to add hand warmers, overhaul the engine, or buy a new machine all together – our
Ariens Quick Part Finder is a great place to start,
click here to give it a try! As always, our parts team is available to assist at
800-305-9255.
Getting a good lawn to look great is easy and only takes a few extra minutes. Mowing patterns into the grass is a great way to make the lawn stand out visually and constantly changing the pattern helps keep the lawn healthy! Here are three things to help put stripes on your lawn!
- A stripe in the lawn is nothing more than a row of grass that has been pushed over. A roller, either attached to a mower or as a standalone tool, will lay grass down in a uniform manner.
PRO TIP: Don’t cut too short, longer grass makes for
better stripes. Plus, longer blades of grass offer more protection for hot, dry
spells. 
- Now that the lawn is cut at the correct height, adding a lawn striper to your mower is a great way to lay down some lines. You can buy a lawn striping kit for your walk behind mower or easily build your own using PVC pipe.
PRO TIP:
Your first pass needs to be as straight as possible. Find the longest run in
the yard, train your eyes on an object in the distance, and lay down the cut. Normally you would keep an eye to the ground for obstacles, so before you make
the pass, ensure it’s clear.
- Establish a mowing schedule. If you always cut the lawn in the same direction, you run the risk of creating ruts or uneven growth. Develop 3-4 different patterns that you can use, and switch them up every time you cut.
When it comes time to show off your masterpiece, give it a quick spray with the hose. Lightly wetting the freshly striped lawn will enhance the look. Looking to learn more? Pick up a copy of “The Lawn Bible” by Dave Mellor.
Don’t let mowing become a mindless chore – the end result will certainly look that way! Be creative, take your time and use the opportunity to design a look the makes your lawn stand out.