BX Block heater question

[dsmiley]

I've got a BX25 with a block heater and a guy at the dealer where I bought it said I shouldn't leave it plugged in more than 1/2 hour at a time. I believe his reasoning was that it would cook the oil. Well, I haven't used it but would like to so that the block would be warm when it starts. It has to be better than starting a below zero engine. Anyway, does anyone know what a good time would be for it to be plugged in, or if left plugged in for hours is a problem? Thanks.

Dean

 

[KennyV]

If it is a block heater IN the cooling system Water... You could leave it plugged in all year and Never disconect it...
It can't heat the Oil any hotter than the cooling system.... the hottest you can get the coolant (water) with a pressurized cap on the radiator is around 230 degrees....
The block heater is not going to be able to heat the water to more than that.... KennyV

 

[ametcalf]

I've got a BX25 with a block heater and a guy at the dealer where I bought it said I shouldn't leave it plugged in more than 1/2 hour at a time. I believe his reasoning was that it would cook the oil. Well, I haven't used it but would like to so that the block would be warm when it starts. It has to be better than starting a below zero engine. Anyway, does anyone know what a good time would be for it to be plugged in, or if left plugged in for hours is a problem? Thanks.

Dean

I agree with KennyV. We are both assuming that the block heater is in the water jacket and heats the coolant. I have used this type of heater on engines for close to 50 years and never heard of cooking the oil. One thing to be aware of is when you change the coolant make sure you run the tractor until the thermostat opens and you get the system full of coolant before you plug the heater in. If there is an air pocket around the heater when you plug it in, the heater itself will burn up. I read in one of the posts on this website that some industrial standby generator engines are left plugged in 24/7 so they are ready to go to full power when they are needed.
A. Metcalf

 

[dsmiley]

If it is a block heater IN the cooling system Water... You could leave it plugged in all year and Never disconect it...
It can't heat the Oil any hotter than the cooling system.... the hottest you can get the coolant (water) with a pressurized cap on the radiator is around 230 degrees....
The block heater is not going to be able to heat the water to more than that.... KennyV

It's the one that the dealer would normally install. In fact, I believe this dealer installs them in all the BX's he sells. So I will find out if it's in the cooling system. That sounds like good news. If we have snow coming in the night I can just plug it in when I go to bed. Thanks.

 

[ametcalf]

It's the one that the dealer would normally install. In fact, I believe this dealer installs them in all the BX's he sells. So I will find out if it's in the cooling system. That sounds like good news. If we have snow coming in the night I can just plug it in when I go to bed. Thanks.

You may want to consider putting it on a timer and set it for a couple of hours before you plan to get up. Save some electricity and heat the engine too.
A. Metcalf

 

[korydz]

Here in the frozen north we use these to keep it plugged in and ready to go without using too much electricity:

IPLC.com - Intelligent Parking Lot Controller

 

[billsh96]

My bx came with a magnetic heater attached to the oil pan. You may have a similar unit. Mine warms well in about an hour, but i have also had it plugged in overnight without any problems.

 

[3forever]

I have a year old bx2360 with block heater dealer installed. Was told ok to leave plugged in over night by morning vented coolant on floor, dealer dont know why, i plug in now 30 minuutes before starting what a difference! hope this helps1

 

[20 20]

When I use my heaters, I'll plug them in anywhere from 40 to 90min anymore then that and it really is just wasteing electricity IMO.

 

[rpraymond]

When I ordered my L3430 I ordered it with a block heater. I was curious about leaving it plugged in through the winter so I e-mailed Kubota. They said it was perfectly fine to leave it plugged in.
For the last five years I've left it plugged in 24/7 so it's always ready. This year it's unplugged because we haven't had any snow!

 

[dsmiley]

Well, I finally broke down and called the dealer where I purchased it and talked to one of the mechanics there. He assured me that I could leave it plugged in as long as I wanted, as KennyV and others here have said. I will be using ametcalf's suggestion of putting it on a timer. Thanks all for the great responses.

 

[MrPete]

I have a year old bx2360 with block heater dealer installed. Was told ok to leave plugged in over night by morning vented coolant on floor, dealer dont know why, i plug in now 30 minuutes before starting what a difference! hope this helps1

Same thing happens with my MX 5100.