Kubota M59 block heater install

[caballero59]

Went to the dealer today to pick it up and noticed the installation sheet said the hydraulic pump needs to be removed. This is nearly a no-go for me. Is is possible to work it in to the freeze plug hole without removing the pump?

 

[Adiredneck]

Went to the dealer today to pick it up and noticed the installation sheet said the hydraulic pump needs to be removed. This is nearly a no-go for me. Is is possible to work it in to the freeze plug hole without removing the pump?

Absolutely not. The pump has to come off and even then it is a tight squeeze, where you will be lucky to get good access to it.

 

[mike69440]

Went to the dealer today to pick it up and noticed the installation sheet said the hydraulic pump needs to be removed. This is nearly a no-go for me. Is is possible to work it in to the freeze plug hole without removing the pump?

Unless your north of the arctic circle, The right battery, 30-50% kerosene mix, some good anti gel additive, and 5W-40 synthetic diesel formulation oil seems a lot easier.

 

[caballero59]

I hear you loud and clear. It's not so much about getting it started but pampering it a little bit when its zero.

 

[oosik]

Don't go with the block heater - a PITA to instal. Use a radiator hose tank heater - easy to instal, provides good heat & circulation.

 

[sixdogs]

Don't go with the block heater - a PITA to instal. Use a radiator hose tank heater - easy to instal, provides good heat & circulation.

Wise advice. A recirculating lower rad hose heater does a wonderful job and sure beats the aggravation of the block heater. Life's too short and lots of things that can go wrong. Even better is mike69440's advice to use synthetic oil for easy starting. Kubotas can take it, no problem.

 

[mike69440]

Wise advice. A recirculating lower rad hose heater does a wonderful job and sure beats the aggravation of the block heater. Life's too short and lots of things that can go wrong. Even better is mike69440's advice to use synthetic oil for easy starting. Kubotas can take it, no problem.

Those kits for a lower hose heater are only around $100 or less. I saw 0-40W diesel oil. Was surprised!

 

[sixdogs]

Those kits for a lower hose heater are only around $100 or less. I saw 0-40W diesel oil. Was surprised!

When we lived in a cold climate I used 0W40 or maybe it was 5W40 and started a 90HP Kubota at 20 below. Yes, it was in a barn but that's cold and it cranked not much different from summer. Fired right up, chugged for a moment and I let it warm up for an hour. Transmission was still cold. Lots of advantages to the newer synthetic oils.

 

[CalG]

Those kits for a lower hose heater are only around $100 or less. I saw 0-40W diesel oil. Was surprised!

0-40w would not really help getting things turning at winter temps.

0W-40 on the other hand would be thin as 0 weight at 0 degrees C and still be 40 weight at 100C. A much better combination for winter work.

 

[crazyal]

I have a dealer installed block heater on my L4240 and on occasion use it. I've never had a problem starting the tractor without it but it does help. Often I just don't want to wait for it to heat up enough to make a difference. I doubt I would go through the work of removing the hydraulic pump to install one.

 

[caballero59]

These comments have been helpful. I know I don't want to break the lines loose and remove the pump and it sounds like it can't be installed without removing it.

I can remove the engine cover and use a propane space heater to blow on the block for a bit or blow the hot air up at the pan where it would heat the oil which would even be better than heating the water.

 

[Billrog]

You can buy a heater that glues to the oil pan .

 

[newbury]

Or do what a lot of us retired folk do - if it's too cold, or raining, or too hot just leave it alone. There's always some other job to do.

 

[sixdogs]

...
I can remove the engine cover and use a propane space heater to blow on the block for a bit or blow the hot air up at the pan where it would heat the oil which would even be better than heating the water.

Waste of time. Won't work. Tried it. You could accidentally burn wires or fry electronics.

You can buy a heater that glues to the oil pan .

They don't work. Tried it.

Or do what a lot of us retired folk do - if it's too cold, or raining, or too hot just leave it alone. There's always some other job to do.

I think we have a winner here.
Either that or use synthetic oil and just turn the key and forget about it. It's a tractor designed for this type of activity. Honest.




EDIT--I'll add that I used to live in a very cold and wet climate and have seen many modern tractors, mostly Kubotas, started at well below zero, slammed into gear after 30 seconds, immediately worked hard and then done again the next day for years. Never saw one develop a problem.
Not that I would personally every do this without a warmup but have seen it many times. That's partly how I learned to love Kubotas.

 

[mike69440]

0-40w would not really help getting things turning at winter temps.

0W-40 on the other hand would be thin as 0 weight at 0 degrees C and still be 40 weight at 100C. A much better combination for winter work.

I'm sure it was 0W-40, Must have some serious additive package.

 

[caballero59]

Waste of time. Won't work. Tried it. You could accidentally burn wires or fry electronics.





They don't work. Tried it.





I think we have a winner here.
Either that or use synthetic oil and just turn the key and forget about it. It's a tractor designed for this type of activity. Honest.




EDIT--I'll add that I used to live in a very cold and wet climate and have seen many modern tractors, mostly Kubotas, started at well below zero, slammed into gear after 30 seconds, immediately worked hard and then done again the next day for years. Never saw one develop a problem.
Not that I would personally every do this without a warmup but have seen it many times. That's partly how I learned to love Kubotas.

Owner of a rental shop told me the same thing. He said it used to bother him how people treated his equipment, i.e, dig them out of a snow bank, put the jumper cables to them, and then wind'em out, but he said that he never really observed any damage from this specifically, other abuse, yes...

 

[rScotty]

I hear you loud and clear. It's not so much about getting it started but pampering it a little bit when its zero.

Ugh on the installation.... Mine came with the heater as part of the package Kubota offered the first year the M59 came out. So I missed out on that installation snafu.
Yes. I hear you on pampering the tractor. I like to do the same to mine. Although I haven't heard a single instance of starting them cold ever causing a problem, I can't find any advantage in subjecting the bearings and seals to such a wide temperature range more often than I have to. So I heat mine up for an hour or so when temps are around 0. If it's windy and blowing snow I'll even throw a tarp thrown over the hood to help out that rather small low wattage block heater.
I also like the idea of the radiator hose type. If doing it myself I'd probably do it that way.
rScotty

 

[mikester]

Don't go with the block heater - a PITA to instal. Use a radiator hose tank heater - easy to instal, provides good heat & circulation.

+1

Fewer problems this way in my experience and easier to fix/replace

I've seen magnetic block heaters you can attach to the oil pan/block. Has anyone tried one of these?

 

[sixdogs]

+1

Fewer problems this way in my experience and easier to fix/replace

I've seen magnetic block heaters you can attach to the oil pan/block. Has anyone tried one of these?

They don't work.

 

[Billrog]

Engine Oil pan 25 WATT KITT block heater WITH THERMAL SWITCH Truck & Car | eBay
Engine Heater-Silicone Heat Pad KATS 2415 | eBay
Come in different watts and sizes , do not work on ribbed pans also good for hydraulic reservoirs and they work just fine.