Heated or Non-Heated Storage?

tds99 · Nov 11, 2009

i have NH TZ-25 with rear blower that i have used for last 3 years. it spends time in both my unheated detached garage or heated attached garage with no problems. i try to keep everything well greased. i try to bring it in to the attached garage if i know there is a big snow coming or if it is going to be very cold (often below -20 celsius here). often after blowing driveway i will leave it in the heated garage for a few hrs just to let everything melt off then put it back out in the unheated garage. have had no issues either way.

Diamondpilot · Nov 11, 2009

My vote is for heated if possible. Any condensation will evaporate out if used good once a month or so. It will also be easier on all the components being heated including the battery, hydro pump, seals, ect.

Chris

irvingj · Nov 11, 2009

Ice will build up in the chute area during operation. Right after every blowing I chip it off, as residual heat release will melt ice just enough to allow this. I also brush off any snow/slush accumulation, both around the chute and in the impeller area.

I'll also park it with the blower facing the sun whenever it's sunny.

Doing this, I haven't lost any shearpins due to iced up parts.... yet.

brandoro · Nov 11, 2009

My tractor almost always resides in the shop when not in use, the shop is not always heated but when it is it will be warm enough for the tractor and blower to melt off and become dry. Since the floor rarely gets back above freezing in the dead of winter I do throw a couple short pieces of 2X4 on the floor to set the blower on so it can't freeze down.
Having a heated shop is nice, being able to heat the floor, much better. If I ever get to b uild one for myself there will be heat in the floor.

sld · Nov 11, 2009

I vote for the heated garage. In my climate I have never noticed condensation to be a problem.

Plus, it is my "hobby" in the winter to do all the maintenance and clean the tractor up. I wouldn't do that if it were in an unheated space. Seems like in the winter my family goes to bed early and I spend a lot of time in my heated shop. Beats watching tv.

Johndeere3720 · Nov 11, 2009

Lucky for me my yanmar lives in a heated garage. Im glad since it will be easy to start since it is preheated. I dont have a snow blower (yet) so I use my rear blade to move snow. The even cooler part, my neighbor wants to build me a front blade for free for my yanny to move snow. Im hopefully going to drive the tractor down there on sunday and I might grade his road while im at it.

I am also lucky that my JohnDeere lawn tractor lives in a heated shed and my nonrunning (for now) simplicity lives in a heated shop. Im pretty lucky, now I just need to get my implements inside.

Couple of Achers · Nov 11, 2009

If you have room in a heated space for it, I'd use it if at all possible. Like others have stated, it is awfully nice to always have a nice clean, un-thawed blower available. If you are afraid of snow sticking in the blower because it is warm, what I do is start it and pull it outside to let run for a few minutes before I actually start blowing snow. That metal cools off in a hurry out there and I have never had a problem with it.

dave1949 · Nov 11, 2009

I would never leave equipment outside if there is heated or unheated inside storage. Why mess with a snowy/icy tarp with tie-downs vs opening a door? My garage is heated by sunshine, it gets up to 55 deg. on a reasonably sunny day and down near freezing on cold overnites. I have seen no problems with condensation.
Dave.

Matt_Jr · Nov 11, 2009

Seriously? Heated all the way. Don't worry about condensation 'cause when you pull the tractor inside, it will be warmed up, and since at operating temps it will be warmer than the air inside, that won't be a problem. Any condensation on the metal parts that are cold will dry off during storage. Your tractor will reach operating temps faster, there will be less condensation in the crankcase while warming up, it's easier on the hyraulics(pump, seals, valves, etc..), your battery will crank better, and your glow plugs won't have to work as hard. Oh yeah, your seat won't start off as cold either

.

RockfromVT · Nov 12, 2009

I'm amazed at just how much "GREAT" info I've gotten in a day from everyone on here. I appreciate all the input you've all offered. I'll get some photos posted soon. Maybe I can get some time later today and take it out of the Shop and take a few for you all to see. Seen one, seen'em all but pics are always enjoyable to check out either way.