The first mobile snowblower was attached to a massive truck. The augur and chute could throw snow up to ninety feet away, and it probably cost a fortune in gas to run.
Luckily, things have come a long way since then. Modern portable snowblowers are far more efficient. How many gallons of gas does a snowblower hold? I’ll help you figure out just how far your machine can go before it needs a top-up.
Most snow blowers hold less than 1 gallon of gas. The smallest snow blowers can have a fuel tank capacity of around a single liter of fuel or 0.26 gallons, while the largest walk behind snow blower on the market holds 1 ½ gallons of gas. The fuel capacity measurement for snow blowers is measured in quarts.
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How Much Gas Does A Snow Blower Hold
Snowblowers range in size substantially. As a result, the amount of gas that goes in your tank is likely to be different from other models.
The smallest portable snowblower may hold only a liter or two of fuel. Meanwhile, larger blowers could hold up to one and a half gallons. Typically, it’s right around 0.4 lb per HP hr.
The good news is that one trip to the gas station won’t break the bank. However, it is crucial to get the right low to no-ethanol gas.
Mobil makes a zero-ethanol petrol that works well in snowblowers. Engines built after 2006 may not be two-stroke. Fortunately, the gas cap generally has an indication of which octane you need.
Pay close attention to your owner’s manual. Unfortunately, not all two-stroke engines require the same fuel to oil ratio. Many models like Craftsman come from a manufacturer called MTD.
According to MTD Parts, “Two-cycle (or 2-stroke) engines require a mixture of fuel and oil be added to the fuel tank. This mixture results in both engine combustion and lubrication. Operating a 2-Stroke engine on gasoline alone will result in engine failure.”
Fuel Tank Capacity For Snow Blowers
The smallest snowblowers can have a fuel tank capacity of around a single liter of fuel or 0.26 gallons.
Meanwhile, the genuinely massive Honda HS1336IAS, the biggest walk behind snowblower on the market, is a hybrid. The tank on that beast of a machine only holds a gallon and a half of gas.
Below are some popular models of snowblowers and their respective fuel tank capacities.
Ariens Fuel Tank Capacity
Ariens, known as The King of Snow, produces high-end snowblowers meant for tough jobs. The most petite models they offer can often handle up to fifteen inches of snow.
According to Ariens.com, they are the number one snowblower brand and have built over four million snow blowers since 1960.
- Compact: Classic 24 Ariens AX fuel tank capacity is 0.369 gallons or 1.3968169483 liters.
- Deluxe: Deluxe 30 Sho Ariens AX fuel tank capacity is 0.9510193884893 gallons or 3.6 liters.
- Pro: Professional SSR Ariens AX fuel tank capacity is 0.335498506 gallons or 1.27 liters.
Craftsman Fuel Tank Capacity
Craftsman is known for its outstanding warranties. Hand tools are often guaranteed for life, and this company is the industry leader when it comes to backing its products. MTD makes all the parts and engines.
- Compact: SB230 21-in single stage has a half-gallon fuel capacity.
- Midsize: Select 24 4-cycle has a 0.375-gallon fuel capacity.
- Large: Select 26 4-cycle also has a half-gallon fuel capacity.
Cub Cadet Fuel Tank Capacity
Cub Cadets are reliable, mid-range yet high-quality snowblowers. Engineered for extreme weather, these machines can take the cold wherever you live.
Chose these workhorses if you’re worried about especially low temperatures and frequent snow.
- Single Stage: 1X 21″ LHP Snow Blower is a two-quart tank.
- Two-Stage: 2X 26″ TRAC Snow Blower is a three-quart tank.
- Three-Stage: 3X 30″ MAX Snow Blower is a five-quart tank.
Husqvarna Fuel Tank Capacity
Husqvarna has been in business since the sixteen hundreds. Although the company began as a Swedish weapons manufacturer, they are more well known for their tools and power tools.
If you are looking for the most experienced builders, opt for a Husqvarna snowblower.
- Compact: Husqvarna ST 124 holds 0.58 gallons.
- Midsize: Husqvarna ST 227 holds 0.71 gallons.
- Large: Husqvarna ST 324 also holds 0.71 gallons.
- Pro: Husqvarna ST 424 holds 0.62 gallons.
Ryobi Fuel Tank Capacity
Ryobi’s specialty is affordable tools. When you seek a good deal, but you also need a product that isn’t made from bargain-basement parts, this is your brand.
Additionally, Ryobi snowblowers are typically corded or cordless electric models, so there is no gas tank or fuel capacity to worry about.
Toro Fuel Tank Capacity
Like Ryobi, Toro makes electric snowblowers. This company is known for making top-tier electric machinery. Go with Toro when you need an environmentally friendly option, and you don’t want to mess with a gas tank.
Troy-Bilt Fuel Tank Capacity
Troy-Bilt offers self-propulsion in every model of snowblower it makes. When you worry about weight, your heart, or you have a lot of ground to cover; this is the right option. Like Craftsman, Troy-Bilt products come from parts made by MTD.
- One-Stage: The Squall 123R Snow Blower has a fuel capacity of two quarts.
- Two-Stage: The Storm 2620 Snow Blower also has a fuel capacity of two quarts.
- Three-Stage: The Vortex 2610 Snow Blower has a fuel capacity of five quarts.
Helpful Tips To Know How Many Gallons Of Gas Does A Snow Blower Hold
Whatever the size of your gas tank happens to be, filling the tank won’t take much fuel. A small gas can is enough to last a while.
Plus, you don’t want to keep gas around for your snowblower that is more than thirty days old because it can foul the carburetor and cause expensive repairs.
Additionally, there are many important considerations when it comes to gassing up your snowblower.
Here are more helpful tips to know how many gallons of gas does a snowblower hold.
- It’s important to remember that you won’t fill your fuel tank with just gas. Most two-stroke engines require a blend of gas and oil. It’s also a good idea to put a stabilizer in with the fuel to prevent it from separating. Plus, once in a while, you should drain it and run some carburetor cleaner for about twenty minutes to keep your machine in peak running condition.
- If you flood the engine, leave the gas cap off and let some of the extra gas evaporate. Alternately, you can opt to drain or pump some out. However, it is also crucial to pull the sparkplug and wipe it off once the level is lower again. Otherwise, your engine may stall out, or the sparkplug may take damage.
- Don’t leave gas in your snowblower when there is no snow for it to clear. Unless you anticipate another snowfall within thirty days, leaving fuel to sit can cause it to gum up and clog your carburetor. Additionally, space in your gas tank can leave room for moisture to condense, mixing with the fuel and creating an acidic substance that erodes the inside of your engine.
- For the best results over time, stick to 91-octane, non-oxygenated (ethanol-free) gas. Alcohol and petroleum blended products may do wonders for a car, but your smaller two-stroke snowblower engine can’t handle it. Any blend over ten percent ethanol is especially bad for your machine. Skip the alcohol gasses if you want to extend the life of this vital wintertime tool.
Final Thoughts
A new large power tool, like a snowblower, can leave you feeling like a kid with their first car, excited but a little bit clueless. It doesn’t help those various brands, models, and years can have significantly different engines.
Fortunately, finding the correct information on what kind of gas and how many gallons your snowblower holds is easy.
The gas cap should tell you what octane and the owner’s manual should have the tank size. Better still, if you overfill it, you can wipe off your sparkplug and leave the gas cap off to allow some of the excess fuel to evaporate.