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Harold


Joined: Feb 23, 2008
Points: 17

Help! My snowblowers frozen stiff... and now working thanks to Borat
Original Message   Feb 1, 2011 11:25 am
My outdoor, stored under a tarp 1970s 724 stalls as soon as I engage the auger.  I can hear the belt squealing as I try engaging it.  Somethings frozen, it's 9 degrees now, windy and snowing and 18" is forecast.  The auger rotates a tad on it's shaft when I push on it with a stick. Tried gently engaging the belt - didn't help.

Neither electricity, help, a garage or shelter is available.  Can't drag it to the house, and even if I could there's too many steps and black ice under the snow to contend with.

Where, just what part, should I thaw it with a torch and is that safe?

Added:  It worked great (with a heavy demand) few days ago.
This message was modified Feb 1, 2011 by Harold
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Harold


Joined: Feb 23, 2008
Points: 17

Re: Help! My snowblowers frozen stiff and there's 18" coming now
Reply #4   Feb 1, 2011 12:09 pm
That's a good idea, thanks.  Will try that and report back.

Was tempted to unbolt the housing to expose the belt and wack at something.
Harold


Joined: Feb 23, 2008
Points: 17

Re: Help! My snowblowers frozen stiff and there's 18" coming now
Reply #5   Feb 1, 2011 12:55 pm
You're right on, Borat.  Thank you.

Thought I was doing well when I had the bright idea of resting the auger housing on a big rock so it wouldn't freeze to the ground as has happened.  But in doing so, I allowed a puddle to form in the back bottom part of the impeller housing.  Must have had a snowball size chunk of solid ice in there; it was holding the impeller very well.  Had to chisel it out.  If it had been level the water would have drained out.  I feel so dumb sometimes... I'll store it level off the ground in the future.  Gotta do that as once it was very frozen to the ground.

Set to go.  No more excuses!
Shryp


Location: Cleveland, OH
Joined: Jul 26, 2010
Points: 532

Re: Help! My snowblowers frozen stiff... and now working thanks to Borat
Reply #6   Feb 1, 2011 12:59 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz6Y2P1MCcQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ajjecq2gHY
Harold


Joined: Feb 23, 2008
Points: 17

Re: Help! My snowblowers frozen stiff... and now working thanks to Borat
Reply #7   Feb 1, 2011 1:23 pm
Yea, I tried hard not to load the belt thinking that it'd self destruct.  If it does, I'm ready with another on hand.

And the hot water.... that would have been a pleasure to pour on this frigid day.

Thanks again.
samdog


Joined: Feb 9, 2010
Points: 55

Re: Help! My snowblowers frozen stiff... and now working thanks to Borat
Reply #8   Feb 1, 2011 1:55 pm
Glad you got it working again. Clearing out the impeller housing is critical, if you're storing outside or unheated.

When sunshine follows the storm, I just put the Toro's bucket in the sun and let radiant heat do it. If it's overcast, I aim a kerosene heater at it, outside, from a safe distance. 

Not too keen on the water idea -- frozen water is what started the whole mess to begin with.  

jrtrebor


Location: Michigan - 3 hours north of Chicago on the lake
Joined: Feb 10, 2010
Points: 539

Re: Help! My snowblowers frozen stiff... and now working thanks to Borat
Reply #9   Feb 1, 2011 4:30 pm
Another way to unfreeze things is to boil about a quart or so of water (it doesn't have to be boiling).  Then mix in about 6 to 8 oz. of any kind of deicing salt.  Slowly pour it where it's needed.  One of those plant watering cans with the long spout makes in easy (don't get caught using it)  .  Any left over salt residue will get washed/flushed out next time you use the blower. 
The hot water salt mixture will free things up in a big hurry and won't allow refreezing .  I works really well.
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