Preparing your snowblower for winter

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Before you've put your lawn mower away, it's already time to think about your snowblower.

It's not too early to make sure your snowblower is ready for the winter season.

When accumulating snowfall arrives to western Massachusetts, you want to make sure your snowblower, if you have one, is working.

According to Paul Lussier, of General Saw and Lawnmower Company in Chicopee, there are some things you can do so that your snowblower works when the snow falls.

The biggest mistake is not replacing the fuel.

The gas that was left in your snowblower from the summer changes with the heat and might stop your snowblower from starting.

Oil should be clean, belts in order, and tires inflated.

If you find something wrong with your snowblower, it's better to get it fixed now, if you wait, finding someone to fix it could be a challenge.

"When the snow comes, it's a 3-5 week wait in here and most shops in the city are overwhelmed with work. And people don't like waiting when it comes to snow so get them in early,” said Lussier.

General Saw and Lawnmower company had customers in as early as this August getting their snowblowers fixed.

Once you've done the appropriate checks of your snowblower, you should make sure that it turns on, even if there's no snow on the ground.

Don't forget to observe proper safety guidelines for your snowblower and don't try to fix it while it's still on.