Aftermarket heater options

[Casaid1]

I'm grafting a 1980s Year-A-Round cab on a 2013 Massey and I'm needing to add a heater for the winter. What have yall used for aftermarket heaters? I've already got the heater core and some random parts to make a normal "radiator coolant" style heater but I'm just wondering if maybe a diesel 12V heater would be better because it'll get hot much faster than waiting for the radiator to heat up when its -20 and I can turn it on via Bluetooth. Or maybe something I'm unaware of?? Thanks everyone

Just because I'm sure you're curious here's pics of the project.

 

[CalG]

From my reading by those that use the fuel burners to heat a camper etc.
The good ones are good, but pricey.
The inexpensive ones are built light, and likely have a rather shorter service life.

The camper crowd likely would not need to use the units all that often, and so get useful results from the Chinese imports.

 

[CalG]

Just a off hand comment.

I ran Audi vehicles for quite a number of years. Particularly the A8s of the 90s.
I noted that there was a peculiar pattern pre punched into the plastic belly pan. On investigation I discovered that the configuration was meant to allow installation of a gasoline (or fuel) fired preheater that was commonly offered for Scandinavian and the Russian market.
I don't recall the manufacturer, but it's one of the market leaders.

Just something of interest...
Myself, I have the heater assembly from an old truck kicking around the shop somewhere, "just in case".
It's less than a qubic foot in size, with water ports, a 12v fan, heat exchanger, and a flapper door to direct the output.

I run open station here in the woods, but... the unit is there if I need it. ;-)

 

[Sportsman762]

Negative 20F sucks, no way around that.

waiting for the radiator to heat up when its -20

Your right that your engine might never warm up enough to heat the cab well, (your car most likely takes 30 minutes plus to warm the cab up at that temp too if left outside). A diesel powered heater might be the best way to warm you up.

Is the tractor stored outside? If not then I am not sure I would want a diesel heater running in a building. I would be inclined to put a basic space heater in the cab to prewarm it. If parked outside then a diesel heater might be the best option. Another though would be to use a diesel engine preheater, they are like a diesel heater but heat the coolent. This lets the engine start easier and your will already have warm coolant for your cab heater.

Autoterm.com - Engine Pre-heaters Overview

autoterm.com

I have not messed with diesel heaters, or diesel engine preheaters. However when I was in Minnesota it sure sucked starting equipment. A couple hours on the block heater, then put a battery charger on fast charge for 15 minutes, switch the charger to boost, and hoped it would start. I was never lucky enough to have a warm cab, sure would have been nice. On equipment with cabs, 40 or so minutes in and it would blow warm air. Not enough to melt the snow on the boots, but it would help defrost the windows. Keep us posted on your progress.

 

[LouNY]

In my mind the diesel water jacket heater would be a better bet, it can be started the same way and will preheat the engine for nicer starts and faster warmup and heat.