Can a Snowblower Start at -30F ?
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No problem with my Ariens. I try to pull-start it first just to see if it'll go. The first time I started it this season, I gave up and used the electric starter. It fired up on the third attempt. It had the dregs of last year's gas in it (including stabilizer).
I used it last week when it was -20°C or so and it started on the second pull. I had it on full choke and had pumped the primer bulb five times but hadn't moved the throttle to full speed - the gas was shut off.
I should glue a takeoff check list to the garden-shed wall.
I used it last week when it was -20°C or so and it started on the second pull. I had it on full choke and had pumped the primer bulb five times but hadn't moved the throttle to full speed - the gas was shut off.
I should glue a takeoff check list to the garden-shed wall.
Not quite -30, but I started it my old Toro 521 yesterday morning at about -17F without any issue other than a couple extra pulls. Only ran it for about 5 minutes to clear out some of the end of driveway build-up. The snowblower was fine, I was cold.
Yes.
Electric start and a big choke with a primer always work wonders for me in the cold. Didn't need it in the worst of the cold this week. Busted the drifts on the driveway today when it warmed up this morning to around -12 (went to -3 by late afternoon) by hand with the shovel. The nice thing about cold snow is that it is usually very light!
-30c first pull. Don't even bother with the electric start. Regular gas with stabil.
Mine started just fine in -20 C with 2.5 year old fuel with stabilizer. It sounds just like an AMG.
Most arent that cold because the garage isnt actually that cold.
My garage was 24f (15 hours after car was parked in it) when it was -5f out with 25mph winds.
garage with breezeway. Basically detached but shares a roof with the breezeway. and roof is attached to house.
no heat.
Was still 14f in garage when it was -7 out 30 hours after car was parked with 20-35mph winds.
I like the plug in electric start type. Although my toro started just fine on 2 pulls the other day when it was around 10f out. 2 cycle is nice.. no thick oil to slow you down starting it.
My garage was 24f (15 hours after car was parked in it) when it was -5f out with 25mph winds.
garage with breezeway. Basically detached but shares a roof with the breezeway. and roof is attached to house.
no heat.
Was still 14f in garage when it was -7 out 30 hours after car was parked with 20-35mph winds.
I like the plug in electric start type. Although my toro started just fine on 2 pulls the other day when it was around 10f out. 2 cycle is nice.. no thick oil to slow you down starting it.
Originally Posted by Mazomopar
Do you know how to turn your dishwasher into a snowthrower??...........hand her a shovel....„...„
Ha! That's a good one!
Do you know how to turn your dishwasher into a snowthrower??...........hand her a shovel....„...„
Ha! That's a good one!
I have difficulty starting my snowblower in temperatures above -30F but at 0F and just below that. I find the easiest way to get it fired up is to use a propane handheld torch and just warm the head and block by moving it back/forth over various areas and not dwelling on any one spot too long. My snowblower is 30 years old and a tad bit fussy.
This warms the oil and gives the combustion chamber a little bit of heat to assist in cold weather starting because even a 30wt synthetic at those temperatures is viscous and the easier it is to turn over the easier it's going to start as well.
Sometimes I will fire up my Mr. Heater in the shed to warm up the shed and the snow blower an hour before I go out to do the snow blowing. I just leave the door open a crack so the CO doesn't build-up from the heater.
This warms the oil and gives the combustion chamber a little bit of heat to assist in cold weather starting because even a 30wt synthetic at those temperatures is viscous and the easier it is to turn over the easier it's going to start as well.
Sometimes I will fire up my Mr. Heater in the shed to warm up the shed and the snow blower an hour before I go out to do the snow blowing. I just leave the door open a crack so the CO doesn't build-up from the heater.
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So even if it would start I think you might have an issue with left over snow melting/freezing into a blob and jamming the snowblower.
I once used my snowblower and then left it outside for a day or two. Whatever snow was left in the machine froze and I had to bring it in the garage to melt.
These days when done I try and let the machine blow all the snow, then when the snow stops, I turn the machine off and drag into garage. The leftover snow melts.
I guess you could carefully go through the machine (off) with gloves on removing leftover snow but I never do.
I once used my snowblower and then left it outside for a day or two. Whatever snow was left in the machine froze and I had to bring it in the garage to melt.
These days when done I try and let the machine blow all the snow, then when the snow stops, I turn the machine off and drag into garage. The leftover snow melts.
I guess you could carefully go through the machine (off) with gloves on removing leftover snow but I never do.
I use an old broom to sweep the outside and in the auger area of most of the snow
before putting the blower in the garage.
My 2¢
before putting the blower in the garage.
My 2¢
Synthetic oil helps with starting, doesn't thicken in the cold weather as Dino does.
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