snowman
Gold Member
My manual snowblower chute was frozen solid. Couldn't turn it at all. First time that's happened; this is the third winter that I've used it. It's not kept in a heated garage, so it generally does not under go any thawing/refreezing.
Initially got it to move by using a paint removal heat gun on it. Of course, it froze right back up as soon as it cooled down.
Could only turn it with alot of effort by getting off the tractor, sticking a hold punch type tool in the hole where the crank handle slips into the chute "gears" and then rotating it - real paid and not too effective.
As I was snowblowing last night, I was trying to figure out a way to fix this, as it's only mid February and it's not going to warm up enough for a few months to let it thaw and dry all of the moisture out.
It ocurred to me to pour windshield washer fluid over it, as that's good to -25 or so. It worked. I did it last night after I was done clearing the driveway - it freed the crank right up. Played with it before I left this morning and it's still working fine (so did not freeze up again).
Just thought I'd pass this along in case anyone else encounters this.
Initially got it to move by using a paint removal heat gun on it. Of course, it froze right back up as soon as it cooled down.
Could only turn it with alot of effort by getting off the tractor, sticking a hold punch type tool in the hole where the crank handle slips into the chute "gears" and then rotating it - real paid and not too effective.
As I was snowblowing last night, I was trying to figure out a way to fix this, as it's only mid February and it's not going to warm up enough for a few months to let it thaw and dry all of the moisture out.
It ocurred to me to pour windshield washer fluid over it, as that's good to -25 or so. It worked. I did it last night after I was done clearing the driveway - it freed the crank right up. Played with it before I left this morning and it's still working fine (so did not freeze up again).
Just thought I'd pass this along in case anyone else encounters this.