block heater

[ridetoslide]

I'm wondering if any of you cold climate LS owners have added any engine block heaters or the like to help starting in cold weather. I have a K5047 and have considered putting something additional on my tractor to help the cold starts. Would love to hear if any of you have done some mods. Thanks

 

[George2615]

I'm just a little S.E. of Lake Ontario in the snow belt. Fortunately I keep the tractor in a garage that never gets below 45*F. I haven't needed a block heater. What I have done is switched to Rotella T6 5W40 synthetic oil and add Power Service (White bottle) to the fuel. I was considering installing an inline lower hose heater but there is no room for that. If mine was kept outdoors or in an unheated barn I would install a block heater connected to a heavy duty appliance timer that would turn on and preheat the engine for a couple hours ahead of time.

 

[dcole]

I'm just a little S.E. of Lake Ontario in the snow belt. Fortunately I keep the tractor in a garage that never gets below 45*F. I haven't needed a block heater. What I have done is switched to Rotella T6 5W40 synthetic oil and add Power Service (White bottle) to the fuel. I was considering installing an inline lower hose heater but there is no room for that. If mine was kept outdoors or in an unheated barn I would install a block heater connected to a heavy duty appliance timer that would turn on and preheat the engine for a couple hours ahead of time.

That's what I have on My Boomer. Block heater with a timer (like you would use for turning on a spotlight) that heats it up for 2 hours just before I'd plow in the morning. If I not going to plow until later in the day, I just plug it in about 1 hr before I want to plow. I also cut my diesel fuel with 25% - 33% kerosene. My old Cub Cadet had the fuel filter on the back of the tractor not near any heat source so it would free up. The Cub Cadet manual suggested the kerosene.

 

[buickanddeere]

Makes the engine start like summer time. Less stress on the starter, battery and alternator. Less cylinder bore and ring wear. Less dilution of lube oil with fuel. Lower stack emissions. Reduction of fuel burned .

 

[The Deerslayer]

My old tractor never had a block heater, but my new L3901 came with one so I plan to use it. I have heard some people leave them plugged in all the time during the cold weather months, but that seems a bit excessive to me. I will only use the tractor during the winter for snow removal so I figured plugging it in the night before a storm would be fine. I keep it in a barn, but it still gets fairly cold there as several stalls are open. Interested in learning more in this thread as to what others do.

 

[PILOON]

For sure a timer or a method of switching power as required is the way to go.
Most block heaters are in the 400 watt range so 24/7 power would be a bit pricey when only 1-2 hrs will suffice.

Having built my own house I provided an external outlet that had a switch located in the coat closet, while that worked fine the tractor was not always parked handy to that outlet.
The ultimate solution was a handy remote wireless switch that operates like a remote car starter.
Such devices sell in the $25.00 range and have proven to be faultless to date.

 

[Looking4new]

The ultimate solution was a handy remote wireless switch that operates like a remote car starter.
Such devices sell in the $25.00 range and have proven to be faultless to date.

Because I have both the Jeep and the tractor block heaters on the same circuit i use two of the remote switches. Like PILOON said, they work flawlessly. I use one battery/yr in each and I don't have to be dressed to go outside to 'plug them in'.

 

[Kc8ehd]

Has anyone considered using a after market engine heater that's mounts in cab heater hose

 

[450]

What type of remote switches are you guys talking about? I am very curious seeing how I live in Fairbanks Alaska. I have used the circulating pumps that hook into the heater hoses on several different types of vehicles and really like them. I think they do better than a block heater myself. When I get my tractor that will be what I try to install if there is room for one.

 

[Doofy]

The radiator hose heater in my XR3135 works just fine. Easy install and you can keep an eye on it.

 

[450]

Doofy, do you have the one that circulates the water and turns off once the coolant reaches a certain temperature? Thanks

 

[Doofy]

Doofy, do you have the one that circulates the water and turns off once the coolant reaches a certain temperature? Thanks

Yes, it is thermostaticly controlled but does not actually "pump". The warmed fluid moves by convection. They come in different wattages and hose sizes. The Dealer installed mine and it works well.

 

[Kc8ehd]

Personally I prefer the heater hose engine heaters , you can run them at a lower wattage And temperature , they do not need to over come the thermostat to maintain engine block temp...where as a radiator hose heater will need run a high enough tempture to open the thermostat to allow coolant to flow through the system plus you have a lot of heat loss due to air moving through radiator.....coolant temperature of 80 to 118 F is all that's needed for cold starts , and won't harden you hoses like the higher temperature system will...I generally run under 108F well below the point where the thermostat starts to open.....just my opinion.....

 

[coolreinfarm]

I have a zero start tank heater on my tractor 1000w that thermosyphons the water and has a check valve in it so there’s no flow with the engine running that is 12 years old. On the coldest day 45 mins of operation the engine starts like it was summer. The lower rad hose heater loses too much heat from the radiator IMHO.

 

[Kc8ehd]

I have a zero start tank heater on my tractor 1000w that thermosyphons the water and has a check valve in it so there’s no flow with the engine running that is 12 years old. On the coldest day 45 mins of operation the engine starts like it was summer. The lower rad hose heater loses too much heat from the radiator IMHO.

Nice looking heater , have one on order be interested to compair with what I'm using now.. thanks for heads-up..I have been useing the Hot start for a few years now ...keep a couple on the service truck

 

[Doofy]

I have a zero start tank heater on my tractor 1000w that thermosyphons the water and has a check valve in it so there’s no flow with the engine running that is 12 years old. On the coldest day 45 mins of operation the engine starts like it was summer. The lower rad hose heater loses too much heat from the radiator IMHO.

Haven't thought about heat loss thru the radiator. I normally just plug in an hour or two and she fires right up. I will test the heat-loss theory and see if it really makes much difference.

 

[PILOON]

What type of remote switches are you guys talking about? I am very curious seeing how I live in Fairbanks Alaska. I have used the circulating pumps that hook into the heater hoses on several different types of vehicles and really like them. I think they do better than a block heater myself. When I get my tractor that will be what I try to install if there is room for one.

Lowes and most box stores carry them and generally are often on sale in the fall.
Two types exist:
One has s selectable on/off setting with timing, that is OK if you have a daily schedule but I prefer the other type that is like a car remote starter.
Noma is a one brand that I recall.
Just be sure you buy one that can handle the amperage of a block heater and not simply Xmas tree lights. (yes that's another common use)

 

[Kc8ehd]

Haven't thought about heat loss thru the radiator. I normally just plug in an hour or two and she fires right up. I will test the heat-loss theory and see if it really makes much difference.

Hot start / cat installation video
Watch "Hotstart engine heater installation" on YouTube
Hotstart engine heater installation - YouTube

 

[Doofy]

Hot start / cat installation video
Watch "Hotstart engine heater installation" on YouTube
Hotstart engine heater installation - YouTube

Looks to be a very well made heater. Probably out of my price range though. I have never been one to have to have the "Best" when "Good" does the exact same thing but cheaper. In the past 50 years or so, I've probably replaced two "failed" engine heaters.

 

[Kc8ehd]

Hot start tank for small engine $130 range
Zero start $70 range
Kats. $60 range