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

I keep my snowblower in and unheated shed. After I am done using it, I get as much snow and moisture off as I can. But still the snowblower freezes up out there. Heating the shed is not an option. Any suggestions on a type of cover that I can throw over it to keep it warm enough that it won't freeze(if that is possible)? Its been -10c to -20c lately so I am not sure if anything can keep it warm in those conditions.

I doubt if any cover will solve your problem.  and application of heat would be at least somewhat risky fron the standpoint of fire.  What parts of the blower are freezing up?  Maybe the application of grease  or oil to an appropriate part woulkd help.

can you run power out there?  if you can, a 60w bulb in a trouble light left on in the auger housing with a 10x10 tarp over it should do the trick if the shed can cut the wind.  we used to flood the neighbourhood rink and the hose box was "heated" that way, and the hose bib never froze up.

Is there a such thing as a tarp that is insulated?
I just want to keep the temp. of it above zero to prevent freezing.

The other day the chute was pretty iced up. I had to force it to move which I didn't like to do because I was afraid something would snap. Also, the triggers for the steering are frozen right now.

You can buy insulated construction tarps from an industrial supply.   However, if your plan is to use residual engine heat to keep the machine above freezing overnight without assistance from another heat source, that won't happen.  I'd go with the 60W trouble light and an insulated cover.  Put it on a timer so that the machine has a few hours to warm up prior to using.  How much time will be governed by ambient temperatures.   An alternative would be to put a propane tiger torch in a 3' piece of 3" diameter stove pipe  blowing the heat into the impeller area.  Five minutes of that under a cover will thaw it out but must not be left unattended.   Another thing you could do but would cost a few bucks is to buy an industrial propane heater, fire it up and put that in the shed with the machine.  Not as risky as the tiger torch.

giocam wrote:

yes - you can get insulated tarps.  they use them to insulate concrete that is poured in the winter.   just insulating probably won't do it unless you're insulating it to keep a heat source in.  residual engine heat will likely dissipate pretty quickly.

you could keep a spray bottle of winter windshield washer fluid in the house and bring it out to the shed with you when you're ready to start.  a couple of squirts of room temperature fluid might help free up frozen parts, but i still think the 60w bulb will work best.  if you have to run an extension cord, try stapling it to a 2x4 and the putting it on the ground cord side down - it will stop it from getting tangled and will be less of a tripping hazard.

You need this  http://www.amazon.com/Kats-1153-Handi-Heat-Magnetic-Heater/dp/B000BOABS6  affordable and works

Can you get an extension cord to your shed or park it closer to some power source?  If so throwing a canvas tarp over it with one of those small ceramic electric heaters under it would work.  The heaters are about the size of a 7" cube.  Will work on a 15amp circuit.  I have a wooden box I park my blower inside of.  Brushing off the blower and letting the heater run for about 3 to 4 hours usually melts everything.
I place the heater underneath the handle bars on the ground and point it towards the blower housing.

Knee_Biter wrote:
Nice! I never saw one of those before.