Block heater

[RPK]

Hi all,
My L 3130 for all of it's life has lived in my heated shop. It looks like my tractor is going to be outside most of the winter helping with site work on my son's new house project. The site already has a 100 amp service. I am not much of a mechanic so I have a few questions..... Is it easy to install? Can it be left plugged in an on for days???? Could it overheat? Thanks for any and all help.

 

[RjCorazza]

They are not difficult to install (ususally). 2 out of 3 I have done went quick and smooth, with the last one being a pita to get the freeze plug out. Read up on various techniques for removing freeze plugs prior to starting.
As far as use, block heaters are generally run on timers and not continuously. I have no idea what would happen if run 24/7, but my gut tells me the element life will be shorter and it will cost more in electricity. I run mine on a programmable timer. Worst case with your tractor being on the job site would be to set a timer to turn it on every work day for 3 hours or so.

 

[nybirdman]

They are not difficult to install (ususally). 2 out of 3 I have done went quick and smooth, with the last one being a pita to get the freeze plug out. Read up on various techniques for removing freeze plugs prior to starting.
As far as use, block heaters are generally run on timers and not continuously. I have no idea what would happen if run 24/7, but my gut tells me the element life will be shorter and it will cost more in electricity. I run mine on a programmable timer. Worst case with your tractor being on the job site would be to set a timer to turn it on every work day for 3 hours or so.

Exactly the right answer.I had a L3130 HST,kept in the garage for the most part but my L4240 Cab has to set out-side;block heater a couple hours before use,winter diesel and Powerservice.

 

[Looking4new]

I don't have much faith in the magnetic heaters. I got them for the Farmall C and then never used them mainly because the Farmall was so easy to start even in the winter.
That being said, I have two of them (I don't know if they work anymore) and if anybody wants them just PM me and I will ship them to you.

 

[mljenkins]

I have been curious at what temps block heaters are necessary on Kubotas (as well as installation). Messicks did a video where they went around starting a bunch of tractors on their lot until they found one that wouldn’t start due to a dead battery, but I don’t recall them saying how cold it was out. My current NH WM55 has started even down at around 20F and possibly lower. But I’m in northern WV so the temps are nowhere near as brutal as they are up in CT

 

[check]

They are not difficult to install (ususally). 2 out of 3 I have done went quick and smooth, with the last one being a pita to get the freeze plug out. Read up on various techniques for removing freeze plugs prior to starting. As far as use, block heaters are generally run on timers and not continuously. I have no idea what would happen if run 24/7, but my gut tells me the element life will be shorter and it will cost more in electricity. I run mine on a programmable timer. Worst case with your tractor being on the job site would be to set a timer to turn it on every work day for 3 hours or so.

I am wondering if the constant heating and cooling cycle might be a problem?

 

[Fallon]

I am wondering if the constant heating and cooling cycle might be a problem?

Not any worse than firing your machine up for a quick job every day & probably a lot less stressfull.

 

[J.Wal]

Anyone have a install video for this?

I have a L3130 and would like to add a heater but don’t know where it goes and would like a video of install. They don’t cost much from what I can tell

 

[David_Kb7uns]

Goes on left side of engine, forget if it is the front hole or back a little, raise hood, take off side panel and maybe raise loader up and block.

David

 

[goeduck]

They are not difficult to install (ususally). 2 out of 3 I have done went quick and smooth, with the last one being a pita to get the freeze plug out. Read up on various techniques for removing freeze plugs prior to starting.
As far as use, block heaters are generally run on timers and not continuously. I have no idea what would happen if run 24/7, but my gut tells me the element life will be shorter and it will cost more in electricity. I run mine on a programmable timer. Worst case with your tractor being on the job site would be to set a timer to turn it on every work day for 3 hours or so.

I think I saw a thread where a member drilled his out and the drill went too far, through the cylinder liner and into the cylinder cavity. NOT GOOD. Be careful when you do it.

 

[johnems]

I remember that thread. It made me gland I had the dealer install it. Thanks John

 

[marchanna]

I just installed mine a couple weeks ago. It's one of the easier tasks.

I would not recommend drilling out the plug. They typically punch out so easy.

Plenty of videos online - a quick search will get you there.

 

[LouNY]

just a general thought on block heaters. When installing a block heater the ideal location is going to be a casting, freeze, frost plug located between cylinders,
not one in line with a cylinder. My engine had a threaded 1"npt plug that I could remove to install the block heater. And some one trying to remove a freeze plug by drilling it out?
To drill a hole into a freeze plug and the use a screw to remove said plug is a common way, think about it people, a freeze plug is less then an eight of an inch, to continue drilling
and go thru a block and a sleeve into a cylinder that's a **** of a lot of drilling.

 

[marchanna]

I just used a flathead screwdriver and a hammer to knock mine out. You locate the head of the screwdriver to one side of the plug and give it a couple medium taps with the hammer and it will pivot inside the hole. Then just grab it with a pair of pliers and yank it out. It takes about 30 seconds to a minute.

 

[marchanna]

Here's a video of an install done on a Kioti, but it will basically be the same for any tractor. This guy is a little clumsy with getting the plug out. Using a flathead screwdriver and getting it right against the side of the plug will reduce the likelihood of knocking it inside.

Kioti DK5SE Block Heater Install - YouTube

 

[aeblank]

I'd just plug it in when you get there, do something else for an hour.

If you wanted to get real fancy, you could use a WEMO switch and a jetpack/hotspot type device. There are cellular outlets, too. Maybe a neighbor's wifi? Though, a 7-day timer probably makes the most sense if you can't do something else for a while.

I had a heck of a time getting my freeze plug out, but it went fine after that. Very glad to have it.

 

[Redbug]

I know when I lived in the North Country, we also used a battery blanket in conjunction with a block heater. The battery blanket wraps around the battery and is also plugged in to keep the battery warm. A warm battery means more amperage to crank the engine.

 

[marchanna]

I’ve been thinking about getting a battery warmer. I think its a good idea.