Winter Ground-Thaw and Concrete Curing Options

As we have already established, ground heat is very often critical to the success of winter concreting, but for almost three decades there has only been one option for ground-thaw: a trailer mounted system with an on-board diesel tank and 3,000 lf hose reel. Contractors then spread out the hose at two foot intervals in a serpentine fashion to allow for up to 6,000 ft of ground thaw. In a concrete curing setting they could yield up to 9,000 ft by spreading the hose a little further apart. This set up was rather rigid, however. You want more coverage? Better rent a whole other trailer—heating unit, fuel tank, and all. As far too many of us know, this quickly becomes both inefficient and expensive.

Ground-thaw set-ups are changing, giving contractors increased options.

Nowadays innovations in hydronic technology give contractors significantly more flexible ground-thaw options.

This is where we get into shameless (but justified) self-promotion. You have been warned. Using a set-up similar to those familiar trailer systems, we offer an a-la-carte approach to the individual pieces. We can customize a system that meets your exact needs instead of locking you into one set price for a unit and trailer.

Our basic ground-thaw package is already more cost effective than your average system.

ALL of our equipment features a minimum 4,500 lf of hose, a 30% increase from 3,000, and for less money. After that point the set-up of the system is entirely up to you. We can offer you a traditional trailer system* or customize your build for increased savings. For starters, you can save a considerable amount of money by choosing the same package without the larger fuel tank. In fact, if you don't need the trailer or generator we have a package that has neither. This allows you to thaw or cure the same area for half the usual cost.

With this modular approach we can create unit and hose combinations that were previously impossible. Check out these numbers:

A modular approach to ground-thaw and curing increases how far your dollars go.

One PowerHeat 980 unit combined with three hose reels allows for up to 27,000 sq ft of ground thaw or 40,500 sq ft of concrete cure.

With one PowerHeat 1.8 and six hose reels you can tackle an previously unheard-of 54,000 sq ft of ground thaw or 81,000 sq ft of concrete cure—all from just one heating unit! Previously this would have taken six separate trailer systems!

The right combination can heat massive areas.

And if that isn't enough, unlike almost every other system on the market, every heating we offer is tri-fuel capable.

Meaning that you are no longer forced into using diesel fuel only. Already have a natural gas supply on site? easily tie in for even greater savings. Prefer to power on propane because of availability? We can do that too. In fact, you now how the option of fitting the equipment to your need not the other way around.

A tri-fuel set up lets you choose which fuel source is best for you.>

Why pay for equipment that you do not need? Why worry about orchestrating multiple units to accomplish a task that could be simplified? Working in winter conditions is already difficult; let us make it easier.

*A traditional system includes a heating unit, 225 gal diesel tank, generator, and 4,500 lf hose.