Block Heater on 3820i

bitstibe · Nov 9, 2005

Like some others on this board, I have had a challenge of cold start that could potentially get worse with the onset of winter here in the mountains of Utah.

I have been in discussion with my dealer about putting a block heater on my 3820i to help mitigate this. Any experience on this board about this helping the cold start challenge?

BobQ · Nov 9, 2005

I am very interested in the same thing. I have a JD 310 that was impossible to start in the cold weather. I put an inline heater into the coolant line. I would plug it in about an hour before using and it worked well. One other thing I did and had great luck with was, I would run my Kerosene torpedo style heater pointed at the front of the machine for about 10 min before use and it would start every time. I liked this more do to it beeing faster.

Bob

TractorTom · Nov 10, 2005

I had a similar experience with a John Deere 830 Metric Utility (the one built in Germany). When I was living in Michigan, I got a 'block heater kit' from the dealer and installed it, and left the tractor plugged in all winter long. That way it was always ready to use to move snow or go get some wood for the stove even at well below zero. I was wondering if the 'oil pan heater' I had for my truck would work on the Branson tractor. This is the kind of heater with a big magnet that sticks to the bottom of the oil pan and keeps the oil and block warm? We don't really have too much weather that causes a cold start problem here in south Florida, but I realize that it's getting colder in other parts of the country.

Tractor Tom

Strongman · Nov 11, 2005

I purchased a coolant block heater for my 3820 last year in anticipation of poor starts - but I never needed it, I ended up taking it back to the dealer. The Cummins engine seems to start really well. I live in Southeastern Michigan, and the tractor was kept in an unheated pole barn - not sure if I would have had any problems if it was kept outside. My dealer charged me $56 for the kit.

kenbranson · May 14, 2006

I have a 3510 2004 model....i purchased a block heater from my dealer ( well he gave it to me) and i installed it myself. It screws into the block behind the starter. I had to use a breaker bar to get the plug out ....was in so tight that somehting was going to break.....i did end up bending a breaker bar......i only plug in my tractor on the coldest night...mostly i just cycle through the glow plugs 2-3 times and it fires with up. I am very happy.....

snoboy · May 15, 2006

I'd run 5w40 in whatever brand is available for you and get the block heater for your tractor. My block heater takes apx. 15 minutes and really makes for a quick start. You really only need it for the first start of the day. Run a good diesel additive that curbs soot and prevents gelling. I use Fuel Power-60 and have had no cold start issues since I started using it in the tractor. I like it because I just squirt an oz. in each of my 5 gal diesel cans and then fill em and I'm good to go. This is the stuff I use in my vehicles.

http://www.lubecontrol.com/

snoboy

snoboy · May 15, 2006

I'd run 5w40 in whatever brand is available for you and get the block heater for your tractor. My block heater takes apx. 15 minutes and really makes for a quick start. You really only need it for the first start of the day. Run a good diesel additive that curbs soot and prevents gelling. I use Fuel Power-60 and have had no cold start issues since I started using it in the tractor. I like it because I just squirt an oz. in each of my 5 gal diesel cans and then fill em and I'm good to go. This is the stuff I use in my vehicles.

http://www.lubecontrol.com/

snoboy