Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Just after Christmas and our first snowfall, I purchased a brand new Craftsman 11.5/30 from Sears. Great machine especially for getting through the pile of snow the snowplow leaves. After that sick, waving driver goes roaring by. The problem I'm having is when I put it away in my unheated garage after wiping the snow of off it. The next time I want to use it the chute control cables are frozen. I've tried spraying the exposed cable and the moving joint of the chute itself with methol hydrate then waiting an hour. I have to use it this way with it stuck in one position untill the job is almost finished. Then all of a sudden it works just fine. Before I phone Sears to have it looked at has anyone else experienced this problem? Thank you.

Cables are notorious for freezing.  Use a heat source like a hair  dryer or paint removal heater to warm the cable.  After use, try to put some WD-40 down the cable.  It removes water.  If and when you think the cable is free of water, try to seal the exposed upper ends with a dab of silicon.