What is the Best Grease for a Snowblower Auger?
If you’ve owned a snow blower for awhile, you know that keeping the auger in top working shape is essential. Without it, you won’t throw snow – you’ll just have a loud, heavy, not effective shovel to push the snow around.
That’s not why you own a snowblower.
You need the right type of lubrication for your augers so they spin freely on shafts—and the Super Lube Silicone Lubricating Grease is the best. Augers are the rotating rubber paddles on single-stage snow blowers and metal paddles in two-stage models. They cut through deep snow and direct it into the impeller for ejecting out of the discharge chute.
However, picking the best snowblower grease is difficult because the individual chemical properties of each product are slightly different.
Here, we dive into the market so you know how to identify the type of grease right for your snowblower auger. We also look at a few grease products on the market and how to apply them to the augers.
But first…
What is Grease?
It is a semi-fluid or solid product that features a thickening agent and liquid lubricant. The thickener type and liquid lubricant characteristics determine the basic properties of grease.
Grease Components
Grease products comprise three components:
Base Oil
This is the primary component of grease. Thickeners trap the base, making it stiffer or denser. Base oils are synthetic fluids, vegetable, or mineral oils.
Since base oil lubricates, viscosity is a critical characteristic. International Standards Organization (ISO) viscosity grades and their applications include ISO 1500, ISO 460, and ISO 100 and lower.
Additives
Additives help enhance the existing desirable properties of lubricating grease. Additives also help suppress any undesirable properties or may even add new properties to a product.
Common additives include friction-reducing, anti-wear, extreme pressure, and rust inhibitors. Molybdenum disulfide (moly) and other boundary lubricants might be suspended in grease to reduce wear and friction. These additives cause no adverse chemical reactions with metal surfaces at slow speeds and during heavy loading.
Thickeners
Simple soap-based thickeners are made by reacting alkali or metallic hydroxide with ester, fatty acid, or fat. Complex soap thickeners are formed after the reaction of a high-molecular-weight fat alkali with an organic or inorganic acid to create a complexing agent (metallic salt).
Non-soap thickeners include polyuria for electric motor-bearing applications and organophilic clay for high-temperature non-melting greases, calcium sulfonate, and carbon blacks.
Thickeners affect various gear lube aspects, including:
- Pumpability;
- Mechanical stability of the lubricant;
- Temperature range;
- Water resistance and stability.
Benefits of Grease
The best grease brings several benefits to your snowblower, including:
Reducing Friction
The primary use of snowblower grease is to reduce the friction of moving parts. Without lubrication, moving metal parts in the auger grind against each other. This leads to mechanical failure – in your gear box, auger shafts and elsewhere.
Reducing Noise
Augers can be noisy without lubrication. Pack the auger with grease and help moving parts slide over each other quieter.
Protection
Grease creates a protective layer on serrated metal blades and keeps out contaminants such as dust and water that may damage your auger. Plus, applying grease seals the factory fill grease and oils for lubrication.
Smooth Operation
Grease helps maintain the mechanical stability of your snowblower. You do not have to worry about corrosion, friction, or rust, and the snow blower auger works efficiently.
What Type of Grease Should I Use on a Snowblower Auger?
Snowmobile or Marine grease. It is a lubricant formulated for marine environments. This grease offers hidden and exposed components optimal water resistance, so it stays on the augur surface while remaining effective after getting wet.
Types of Marine Greases
While choosing snowmobile or marine grease, decide on the type that works with your needs. The key ingredient and how it works determines the grease.
Common types of grease include:
- Calcium grease—A general-purpose product that is suitable for parts that do not get wet often, such as hinges. The grease is waterproof but not ideal for extreme temperatures.
- Lithium moly grease—Offers a temperature resistance of up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and is ideal for non-critical areas. Popular brands include this Stens Hi-Temp Grease.
- White lithium grease—A popular multipurpose grease product suitable for metal-to-metal situations and also offers high corrosion resistance. A popular option among savvy snow thrower users is the STAR BRITE White Lithium Grease spray.
- Calcium sulfonate grease—Products, such as this Lucas Oil Marine Grease, are ideal when you want a high-temp grease.
- Lithium complex grease—For shock loads and high temperatures. An excellent choice is the WD-40 Marine Grade Grease.
What to Look for in a Snowblower Auger Grease
Here are critical things to consider to narrow down the possibilities:
Water Resistivity
Choose a waterproof or water-resistant grease for snow blower applications. You will use the product on a part that gets wet often. Such grease will also eliminate the need for frequent reapplication.
Viscosity
If grease is runny or too thin, chances are that it will be messy to apply and may not offer effective lubrication. However, grease that is too thick makes it difficult to clean or remove.
Safety
Many marine grease products have toxic chemicals. Choose a product that comes with a water-safe, non-toxic formulation.
Temperature Rating
A vital specification for grease is the maximum and minimum temperatures it handles. Hi-temp grease is ideal for outdoor power equipment that generates heat during operation. Choose low temp grease for your snowblower so it does not freeze when too cold.
Application Ease
A user-friendly grease makes the application effortless. Some require a grease gun, while others need a spray for easy application. Whichever the application method, it should be consistent and not messy.
Shelf Life
If purchasing in bulk, choose a product with a long shelf life. Consider application frequency and choose a product that fits your time frame. Otherwise, all products will start leaking on the shelf.
How to Grease a Snowblower
Before lubricating your snowblower, look at the owners’ manual. The instructions included offer lots of good recommendations. It’s hard to write a ‘generic’ how-to that will beat what the manufacturer provides specifically for your make and model.
The owners’ manual should be your first stop for any lubrication needs. Ariens, for example, recommends lubricating and greasing done at the start of each winter season.
Fortunately, applying synthetic grease is easy.
- Prepare your workspace by laying the paper towels to catch drips. Next, wear your latex gloves and eye protection.
- Remove the shear bolts and nuts to access the zerk fittings from the auger gearcase.
- Apply grease directly to the zerk fittings using latex-glove clad hands. Turn the auger hex shaft while lubricating to ensure proper grease distribution. Evenly distribute the best lubricant to the shaft.
- Replace your shear bolt and nuts once you are finished. Some snow blower users apply a silicone spray lubricant before tightening the bolts and nuts.
How Often Should I Lubricate?
Snowblowers need greasing in several locations to keep everything moving, parts from seizing, and prevent rust. A single-stage snow blower has no grease points, but you need to lubricate all the pivot points of a two-stage snow blower model, including:
- The axles and axle bushings;
- Augers;
- And tractor.
Snowblower manufacturers, such as Ariens, recommend greasing at least every 25 hours of use. Improperly lubricated augers lead to faster wear and increased chances of damage.
Conclusion
Before you look for the best snowblower grease, check out the owner’s manual. The Super Lube Silicone Lubricating Grease is an excellent synthetic grease for snowblowers. It can withstand low temperatures, so the snow blower hex shaft and bearings run smoothly even in extremely cold weather.
Do you have questions about the best snowblower grease? Comment below.
Otherwise, I lean towards the Super Lube grease as the best grease for a snow blower auger.
