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

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.

Does the auger turn if you engage it without travelling?  Or, does it travel if the auger is not engaged?  Whatever, be very careful if you use a torch cause there's a bunch of flammable gasoline in the tank, the fuel line and the carbureter and it will definitely thaw if you make a mistake there LOL

Haven't tried to travel with it.  I suppose it would.  Only tried getting the auger to turn by engaging the belt.

I did let the engine warm up hoping that would help.  Didn't

Try putting a stick down the impeller chute and hit it with a hammer a few times.  You probably have a frozen impeller that needs to be freed up. 

What kind of torch do you have?  If you have something that can produce enough heat, you could use a piece of 3" stove pipe to duct heat into the impeller housing without being too much of a fire hazard.  

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.

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!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz6Y2P1MCcQ

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

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.

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.  

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.