Are block heaters needed?

[dknarnd]

Just curious if anyone uses a block heater on their tractor for the winter? Out of all the used ones I looked at only one had a heater.

 

[john_bud]

I have two tractors - both diesel. The new one is a Kubota L3410. It does not have a block heater and has started fine down to -32F. Well, it does burble and smoke for a bit! The other is an old ford with glow plugs and a block heater. It really really likes the block heater to be on for 30-90 minutes prior to starting.

Oh, NEVER use starting fluid. Sure it will start the engine, but it can also destroy it in a heart beat if you use too much. The boundary between too much and just enough is thin -- real thin.

jb

 

[jimainiac]

I figure if you're going to use the tractor in the winter it's cheap insurance to have a plug-in heater of some type. We don't have one in our old Kubota, but we only use it in the summer. With our new Kubota, the dealer provided the block heater. It probably hardly needs it, but I like to plug it in for a while before starting it when it's really cold, just to make it easier on it. I bet our old one wouldn't start without a heater in the winter, it takes some coaxing even in the summer.

 

[MikePA]

Just curious if anyone uses a block heater on their tractor for the winter? Out of all the used ones I looked at only one had a heater.

Is a block heater needed? No. Does it make starting in winter easier? Yes.

 

[Thomas]

When cold temps arrive its given the heater will be plug in...I admit its little over doing it,but w/any little extra help in starting or keep frost out of the engine Iam for it.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Anyone ever use a 100 watt trouble light under the hood with a space blanket forming a tent to keep the heat in? Done is the barn out of the wind, of course.
Bob

 

[ovrszd]

Anyone ever use a 100 watt trouble light under the hood with a space blanket forming a tent to keep the heat in? Done is the barn out of the wind, of course.
Bob

Maybe drape a tarp over the tractor hanging down on each side past the engine with a light burning under the oil pan?? Heat rises, not sure you will gain much with a light bulb under the hood.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Maybe drape a tarp over the tractor hanging down on each side past the engine with a light burning under the oil pan?? Heat rises, not sure you will gain much with a light bulb under the hood.

Agreed, you more accurately described what I was thinking. Sort of a "tent" of warm air.
Bob

 

[jbrumberg]

dknarnd:

I did not have a block heater on my old Ford 1100 for 18 of the 20 years I had it. It never started easily in the winter until I installed a in-line coolant heater to the return radiator hose. It made a huge difference in starting when the temperature was below 32 (even more so when temperatures were in the single digits). I have a engine block heater on my NH TC29DA. I will plug it in for a couple of hours prior to starting. The colder it is the longer I pre-heat the tractor. I have had no trouble starting the tractor. I usually cover the engine cowling to trap in the heat during the warm up. I have used hair dryers and heat guns to pre-heat the diesel fuel lines and injectors in the past ! Jay

 

[Thomas]

I try bulb thingy but use 75 watt spot heat lamp on Farmall H...work okay but always cross my fingers....also try the oil stick heater,and never had any luck.