1999 New Holland 3031 block heater

[mllud]

I recently purchased a 3031 with 524 hours on it. Winter is coming and I want to install a block heater. It may start fine without one, but I believe that it is so much easier on the engine being warm when its real cold. I'm in Missouri about 45 miles NW of St. Louis. We sometimes get negative five temperatures. last winter -18F. I know some of you get much colder. Burr!
I clear almost a mile of gravel road when it snows.
To the subject now. I need a 3/4" NPT block heater. Trying to avoid dealer prices but don't want the wrong heater. If anyone here is familiar with the 3031 and has installed a block heater in the block in the NPT threaded port. My google search shows the one in the photo below as a fit but also shows some with the heating element at a 90-degree angle with a short element. I want to avoid the element hitting cylinder walls or block webbing.
Advice appreciated. I don't have a manual yet. New Holland and their multi book manuals. Their manuals are good but costly for a full set.
A photo below of my sweet 1999 Hew Holland. I know us tractor guys like pictures.
Any help appreciated. Thanks Mike

 

[LHF2019]

The best way to start is get the NH part number and google search it and see what comes up. Have you priced the actual part or just assuming? Sometimes your money ahead getting the NH part and be done with it.

 

[RjCorazza]

The best way to start is get the NH part number and google search it and see what comes up. Have you priced the actual part or just assuming? Sometimes your money ahead getting the NH part and be done with it.

That's a good suggestion. At least see what the actual element position and depth are of the New Holland part.
Looks like a New Holland heater runs about $150.
I just bit the bullet and bought OEM heaters for my previous 2 Kubota tractors ... Less hassle.

 

[mllud]

The best way to start is get the NH part number and google search it and see what comes up. Have you priced the actual part or just assuming? Sometimes your money ahead getting the NH part and be done with it.

I did use Messic's website and got a part number and did a Google search and still got conflicting information. Search engines have got bad about giving any part number that is close to the same but not accurate. Google is the worst about that. Maybe Bing is better.
Years ago, I delivered tractors for a dealer. I watched parts guys lookup generic parts like engine heaters. NH does not manufacture their own block heater. They have a cross-reference manufacturer that the use and order it from someone else.
The same as with thermostats, relays and various other parts. The dealer is a convenience but expensive one.
I was hoping for someone here that's been there and done that.
The differences in cost can be $55 or $150. Markups are unreasonable. High overhead of dealerships causes that.
The local dealer once asked me why I didn't buy much there. I told him I would rather buy myself a new boat than pay for his. He laughed. Boats are money pits. I rent one now.
I do buy from the Dealer when I need to. I know I should support local business. our New Holland Dealers is now a Sea of orange Kubota's with a few NH in a couple rows of NH blue. They have no sense of loyalty to any brand. I guess you can't blame them.
Thanks Mike

 

[Egon]

Consider an in-line hose heater. Easy to get the proper size and installation.

 

[mllud]

Consider an in-line hose heater. Easy to get the proper size and installation.

I was just looking at those. It seems that the ones that fit the lower radiator hose would work better.
I don't know about the upper hose because I would have to add heater hose plumbing.
The tapped NPT port for the block heater is accessible just above the starter but two hard fuel lines would have to be bent, and I hate to do that. The fuel line plumbing is so well done.
I don't have experience with the lower radiator hose version but did have an International 1700 series truck 345 eng. with the heater hose version.
Does the lower radiator hose type work well?

 

[ruffdog]

It looks like you have a NH 3010S and from what I read, they had two different engines depending on serial number. They list a different block heater for each one too.

https://www.mytractorforum.com/threads/1996-new-holland-3010.106245/?sortby=oldest

 

[mllud]

It looks like you have a NH 3010S and from what I read, they had two different engines depending on serial number. They list a different block heater for each one too.

https://www.mytractorforum.com/threads/1996-new-holland-3010.106245/?sortby=oldest

702987M is the serial number. built in 1999.
Thanks for the link, I can get the correct block heater number from the older thread. I now see why I was getting conflicting hits on the parts. Two engines on the same model number. I have only had t 9 days and haven't had much computer time.
Time to order the engine manual. If the manuals are like my NH lx865. Five manuals. Time to get the book. Now I'm deciding type of heater. In the block or in the hose. I have always had good luck with block heaters. Mine has the 3/4" NPT threaded block plug for a heater.
Thanks, Mike
edit: The dealer doesn't seem to want to be bothered with looking. And he sold it the first owner then me. Ill buy online

 

[ruffdog]

A block heater has the element right in the cooling passage in the block. The heat radiates out pretty good. A lower hose heater depends on "warm water rises" to get heat in the block. I don't think the block will be evenly heated. The tank type heater mounts outside the engine and pumps the coolant through the block. It might get the fluid from your 3/4 NPT port and enters on the engine side of the thermostat. They are normally a higher wattage. I think you will be fine with the normal block heater. Checking your battery cable connections (both ends) is also important for cold starting.

 

[mllud]

A block heater has the element right in the cooling passage in the block. The heat radiates out pretty good. A lower hose heater depends on "warm water rises" to get heat in the block. I don't think the block will be evenly heated. The tank type heater mounts outside the engine and pumps the coolant through the block. It might get the fluid from your 3/4 NPT port and enters on the engine side of the thermostat. They are normally a higher wattage. I think you will be fine with the normal block heater. Checking your battery cable connections (both ends) is also important for cold starting.

Good point on good battery cables. My skid steer will crank and crank, charge the battery and it kicks right off. I'm thinking a poor connection or low battery pulls enough amperage to starve the fuel solenoid of current. Wild guess!
THE Part number as obsolete. This is what I think I need. 47126890 is the new part number.
https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-He...ozz6Z6B46KBFoSCqJ9DzEQsmomkOmumYaAs4ZEALw_wcB
This came up with my part number search. Ill pull the freeze plug and check clearance before I order. looks promising.
Kats brand may be junk dono
Ruffdog
I completely agree with what you said about heater type. Convection verses direct contact.
I do appreciate the hose heater suggestion. it made me think.
Thanks Mikw

 

[mllud]

With part numbers available to customers, I understand parts guys expecting customers to have a part number, but! They have gotten spoiled. if you have an issue like this where there are two different engines and obsolete part numbers you can hear the anger in their voice. How dare you make me work.
Thanks to everyone here I don't need them.
Mike

 

[ruffdog]

Good point on good battery cables. My skid steer will crank and crank, charge the battery and it kicks right off. I'm thinking a poor connection or low battery pulls enough amperage to starve the fuel solenoid of current. Wild guess!
THE Part number as obsolete. This is what I think I need. 47126890 is the new part number.
https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-He...ozz6Z6B46KBFoSCqJ9DzEQsmomkOmumYaAs4ZEALw_wcB
This came up with my part number search. Ill pull the plug and check clearance before I order. looks promising.
Kats brand may be junk dono
Ruffdog
I completely agree with what you said about heater type. Convection verses direct contact.
I do appreciate the hose heater suggestion. it made me think.
Thanks Mikw

The link you had was 1 NPT while this is the 3/4 NPT
https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Heaters/Kats-Heaters/KH11409.html

Way back in the 70's when I was working on medium duty trucks, I installed many different block heaters. Some were the freeze plug type and some were the tank type. Kat's was a big brand even back then.

 

[mllud]

I hope I would have noticed the size being wrong before ordering. Thanks for the Kats review. I have had pretty good luck with block heater quality. I lost one to low coolant. My bad.

 

[Egon]

I was just looking at those. It seems that the ones that fit the lower radiator hose would work better.
I don't know about the upper hose because I would have to add heater hose plumbing.
The tapped NPT port for the block heater is accessible just above the starter but two hard fuel lines would have to be bent, and I hate to do that. The fuel line plumbing is so well done.
I don't have experience with the lower radiator hose version but did have an International 1700 series truck 345 eng. with the heater hose version.
Does the lower radiator hose type work well?

The Lower hose location would be Better if the heater can be installed in the proper orientation

 

[mllud]

The Lower hose location would be Better if the heater can be installed in the proper orientation

I haven't seen or read installation instructions on those lower hose heaters.
Is the proper orientation horizontal or vertical?
I think my lower hose would allow either.
Thanks Mike

 

[mllud]

I haven't seen or read installation instructions on those lower hose heaters.
Is the proper orientation horizontal or vertical?
I think my lower hose would allow either.
Thanks Mike

I haven't seen or read installation instructions on those lower hose heaters.
Is the proper orientation horizontal or vertical?
I think my lower hose would allow either.
Thanks Mike

Egon
Or are you saying one side of the heater facing the block. Like, oriented with the heating element facing the engine?
I will probably use a block heater but am curious.

 

[Egon]

I haven't seen or read installation instructions on those lower hose heaters.
Is the proper orientation horizontal or vertical?
I think my lower hose would allow either.
Thanks Mike

On the lower hose heaters I have used there has been vertical and horizontal required. The element has to be in a certain way for the thermostat to operate. Freeze plug heaters also have the same constraints.

Upside down they do not work.

 

[mllud]

Thanks Egon, That's helpful information. A heated shed would be Nice but that's a luxury that I'll never have.
We are just now reaching sub-freezing temperatures here in Missouri.
Even if your tractor starts without an engine heater a cold start is more wear and tear on the engine. I believe in preheating a diesel engine when possible.
Starting fluid is a temptation in cold weather but can be very destructive. It can cause a detonation in the wrong cylinder at the wrong time and cause major damage. Most of the tractor owners here on TBN already know this. Some will disagree, Thats ok.
I appreciate all the help finding answers to questions.
Thanks Mike