Ground thawing: how much does a Heatwork thaw per day?

Short answer: the Heatwork HW3600 thaws 40–80 cm of frozen ground per day, depending on the ground, and covers up to 200 m² at a time. Allow two days to get 60–80 cm down.

How it works

The HW3600 is a diesel-fired heating unit on a trailer. It pumps hot water through hoses laid out over the area you want to thaw. The hoses are covered with insulation mats, so the heat goes down into the ground instead of up into the air.

The machine runs on its own until the job is done, and it has no open flame. So you don't need a fire watch.

Technical data

Power	103 kW
Fuel	Diesel
Consumption	approx. 3.5 litres per hour at 200 m², max 9 litres
Tank	320 litres, around 3.5 days without refilling
Hoses	3 circuits of 210 m, 630 m in total
Thawing area	up to 200 m²
Thawing depth	40–80 cm per day
Weight	1,860 kg

What decides how fast it goes?

• The ground: wet clay and bog thaw more slowly than dry gravel and sand.
• Hose spacing: hoses laid closer together thaw faster but cover a smaller area. We lay them about 30 cm apart when the full 200 m² is to be thawed.
• Insulation: without mats over the hoses, much of the heat is lost into the air.
• Snow: clear away snow and ice before laying out the hoses.

More than frozen ground

The same machine is used for curing concrete and winter casting, for frost protection of ground that needs to stay thawed, and for thawing frozen manholes and foundations.

Smaller areas: thawing mat

If you only need to thaw a set of steps, a trench or a spot where you're going to dig, a thawing mat is simpler. It measures 1 × 3 metres, runs on ordinary 230 V and thaws up to 50 cm per day. You can lay several side by side.

Collect it yourself or have it delivered?

At 1,860 kg on a trailer, the HW3600 needs a car that can tow that much, and usually a BE driving licence. Read Can your car tow a trailer lift or mini excavator? Otherwise we'll deliver it.