Block heater

[rkhpapa]

Just replaced a 1980 JD2040 with a brand new L4400. The JD was very hard starting in the winter and required the use of the block heater almost anytime the temperature went below 35 degrees F.
I've been reading the posts here and see that most New England users feel that they don't need the block heater, but based on my experience with the JD, I'd like to be ready.
I see that Kubota has 2 types of heater. I'd prefer the screw in actual block heater.
Does anyone know how much it costs? How easy is the installation for the owner?
Any comments are welcome...what would you do if you were me?
Thanks,
RGH

 

[AMR]

I can't speak for the installation, my dealer did it, total cost for the heater installed was $50 at time of purchase, but I can say that I use my block heater in the winter and I only live in CT. I keep my tractor in the garage but when temps outside dip down below 30 F I use it for about a half hour, when temps dip to the 10's I use it for about an hour. I use one of those cheapo electric timers when I know it is going to snow so it kicks on either an hour before I get home from work or an hour before I get up so I know she is ready to go. I think it is all just piece of mind. My BX23 had no block heater and it started just fine but it rock and rolled a little more, my B3030 with the heater "feels" like it runs smoother with the block heater, I am sure it is in my mind.

 

[Egon]

In cooler weather using a block heater makes your tractor engine happy even though it is not required for starting.

Costs for heater and installation should not be exorbitant.

 

[zionview]

I'm in central PA, and I don't know of many diesels without heaters, Even skidsteers have them around here. Much easier on the engine.

 

[sw03]

I have used diesels for years and never needed a heater. If you use a good oil and GP are good, along with batt you are fine.

 

[botayota]

I was told by one dealer here in New Hampshire that a block heater is better for the engine for cold starter, another dealer told me a block heater is no longer needed. I had one installed at purchase of the tractor.
So I guess you have to determine yourself if one is needed.

 

[sw03]

I was told by one dealer here in New Hampshire that a block heater is better for the engine for cold starter, another dealer told me a block heater is no longer needed. I had one installed at purchase of the tractor.
So I guess you have to determine yourself if one is needed.

define better I would say. Do you have less wears on UOA???

 

[nh DRAGON]

I asked about one at the time of purchase. At the time Kubota was making the engines for the bobcats and the dealer told me that they move them in every night and that they start with the glow plugs to at least -20f. And I figured that if it is that cold I wouldn't be out there anyway!!!

 

[savageactor7]

In the winter we use a 40 watt light bulb clipped under the oil pan....makes a big difference when you go to start in 0* weather. engine spins so much easier.

 

[peterc38]

In cooler weather using a block heater makes your tractor engine happy even though it is not required for starting.

Costs for heater and installation should not be exorbitant.

I agree with Egon. Sure todays tractors will start in very cold weather without a block heater but to me it makes sense to have one if you live in a cold climate. I'm no mechanic but it seems as though it would help heat up the engine oil faster, thereby thinning it out and helping it get to lubricate moving engine parts faster than colder thicker oil would? For me it was $50 installed on my tractor when I bought it so I went for it because it can get as cold as 30 below around these here parts in winter.

 

[dex3361]

I am getting ready to install the screw in block heater on a L4400 HST.

 

[LBrown59]

In 4 years I've not needed one.

 

[ByronBob]

It's cold at your place. I only remember the 1st winter I didn't have a block heater and the engine sounded rough. It started but it felt like the pistons were hard on the cylinder sleeves.

My next winter I had a heater. It starts just like it does in the middle of the summer. EASY.

In my mind for the small cost and the mental piece of mind it was worth the money.

 

[peterc38]

In 4 years I've not needed one.

Cept your not in New Hampshire like the OP is.

 

[john_bud]

Cept your not in New Hampshire like the OP is.

In the past 8 years, my bota has not needed anything other than the glow plugs. I cycle them 2 or 3 times with the key when it gets cold.

Cold is under -20F. I have started the tractor with no problems at -32F, but not often. It doesn't get that cold here in Wisconsin that often.

By the way, it's still on the original battery. Plenty of crank

jb

 

[Lockport]

My dealer came to the house and installed the screw in type plug heater. First they drained the coolant, then smashed the metal mold over the threaded opening to allow access. Cleaned the edges of any debris and screwed in the heater. 1200 watts, I believe and after 45 minutes in -20 you can feel the warmth on the top of the block.

That being said, I am away a lot and often do not have time to plug in when I need the tractor to clear the drive. Glow plug for 10 seconds in that cold and she starts every time. As said before, it idles rough until she gets a little heat. I stock a lot of faith in the synthetic oil, too, as a must have in some of the temps I see on the Canadian prairies.

Cheers

 

[smfcpacfp]

I don't have the same model, but it took about 10 minutes to install the block heater variety which cost $50, so the cost wasn't a big deal.

I operate like AMR, the colder the weather, the longer I have it plugged in. It definitely idles more smoothly than when you don't use the block heater, if that is important to you. I had a few below zero days when I had to snowblow, so I left it plugged in for and hour, or so.

The problem that I have is that the d**n plug on the block heat goes into my extension cord with a great deal of difficulty.

 

[rkhpapa]

DEX3361...did you ever install that block heater? How'd it go?

 

[dex3361]

It went well. Pull out a freeze plug and drive in the threaded sleeve in place of the freeze plug, put some thead locker on the threaded sleave to help seal it. Then thread in the heater and wait for the cold weather.

 

[tmc2318]

I also have an electric battery blanket that heats the battery up as well as a block heater. Definitely starts like summer and extends the life of the battery too.