David, this is from one of the only two SnowDog dealers in Ohio, again…

Whenever we extract oil, we have to warm it first. (That means, check the level. If it’s low, we fill to a reasonable level (never overfilled). Start the engine and run it for maybe five minutes to get that oil warm enough to flow easily and quickly.)

Because there are two dipsticks on this engine, there are two sides to same the reservoir, and our experience is, you need to extract from both dipstick-openings. (If you picture a casting, what you should see in your mind is that a cavity rarely covers much area without reinforcements. So, the reinforcements (i.e. from the casting-mold) actually trap some dirt and maybe some oil. Unless you refill and repeat the extracting process, you are stuck with the dirt. We don’t repeat, because we would have to charge again for the same amount of new oil and labor.)

We do use an extractor, rather than trying to tip machines like mowers, because that doesn’t really work for us. The drip pans become trip-hazards, laying on the floor or on some kind of mobile cart. Either of those is also harder to handle than the extractors.

I hope that answers your question. If you know someone who wants/needs a SnowDog, I have one in stock (compact-size (50″), without reverse, but never removed from its shipping crate). I will make a deal on it.

Thanks,
Jeff Bonn
Caudill’s Lawn Equipment Inc.
Springfield, OH 45502
937-399-1351

We commonly use the pump too for extraction, but this one is a little tough to refill.

(reference your experience with the oil change…)

Hi Gary, this is from Jeff. I am a dealer for SnowDogs, and we are having our first experience with changing the oil. What did you learn? (In our first attempt, we have failed to drain all the old oil, overfilled the thing, and still don’t know whether we have the job done.) Much of the problem lies with the two dipstick openings. (I would have thought they led to the same reservoir, and filling one side meant the other was also full.)