Snow Engine heater YM1700

[DaveUK]

So I've made a front snow plough, but now turning my attention to some form of engine pre-heat. It was a bit of a pig last winter, although the TS would get it going.

The engine doesn't seem to have any accessible core plugs, and the bottom radiator hose is a bit tight to get a heater in, plus all the heaters I've found are bigger diameter.

So what are my options? I thought about making a cover to go over the front/bonnet/sides and put a fan heater or similar underneath, or maybe a heater pad on the sump. Any ideas?

 

[284 International]

Do you have pictures of your plow build? I'd like to see those.

I don't know anything about cold weather, really, but am familiar with products like this. They come in various sizes and styles, and are magnetic, so with a pair of them you could stick one on the crankcase and another on the head or engine block, and have the lubricating oil pre-warmed, and the engine coolant warmed up too. I don't know how junky that particular product is versus others.

Somewhere around that page I saw thermostatically controlled plugs, which were intriguing to me. If you stacked them with a timer or something, it would automatically turn on if it's a certain time and temperatures are colder than specified.

 

[rmully]

Get a dip stick heater ...they work good and are a simple install... remove your oil dipstick and insert the dipstick heater. Just remember to unplug the heater before driving off.

 

[PILOON]

When my block heater blew I resorted to a magnetic that I got in a yard sale.
OK, it helped a bit but only after 6 hours of heat combined with a 4000 watt construction heater blowing hot air.
The magnet types just do not have the wattage.
From my experience a minimum of 400 watts is needed and I'd really like 5-600.
The magnet types seem only available in 200 watts and I wonder if even 100 watts gets to the oil.

Long story short, no fun changing a block heater at minus 20deg.

 

[Car Doc]

A tank type water heater that goes in a heater hose on a car may be the only solution but hooking it up will take some imagination.

And IMO a 1500w is what it takes to do a good job pre-heating an engine in below freezing temps and it doesn't take long either. No reason to run it all nite unless you want to or have a timer that will handle that much current.

 

[winston1]

I would think this screw in 400 watt would do a good job. Don't know which Yanmars have the 1-1/4" screw in openings. Yanmar Tractor Parts: BLOCK HEATER - 400 WATT - SCREW IN - INCLUDES CORD Also a 300 watt magnetic. Yanmar Tractor Parts: MAGNETIC BLOCK HEATER - HIGH OUTPUT - I am thinking the screw in type just works on 3 cylinders, not for sure.

 

[Inspector507]

I used a heater in the lower radiator hose when I had my YM1700. The heater was about 4" total but the hoses slid on 1" on both sides. So I really only cut out about 2" of the hose. I have no idea what brand it was anymore. I think it may have been for a 1 1/4" hose.........?

 

[BC Dave]

I Just bought a 300 watt exterior magnetic mounting block heater; the size of a sardine can; and can be perminantly mounted with metal straps; or just take off after 1 hr and start and go .... $40 Can on sale ...

 

[Car Doc]

400w is plenty if you can get it in the block or a lower hose but the external clamp on and tank type circulating heaters need a lot more watts to do the same heating a block type will simply because they are heating the air around them too.

 

[Car Doc]

I Just bought a 300 watt exterior magnetic mounting block heater; the size of a sardine can; and can be perminantly mounted with metal straps; or just take off after 1 hr and start and go .... $40 Can on sale ...

I hope it actually works like that for you Dave!

However I have my doubts based on my experience with magnetic type heaters they may have their place but I have not found one on a tractor. I had a 200w once and it didn't do a dang thing stuck to my oil pan which is a flat plate and should have been ideal for it to work heating the oil and it did absolutely squat.

 

[Trkrd]

I use a 200 watt magnetic block heater I got for under $20. It has a good strong magnet so I just leave it stuck to the block all the time. It doesn't get below 20 deg. here often but the beast always starts right up.

 

[BC Dave]

I hope it actually works like that for you Dave!

However I have my doubts based on my experience with magnetic type heaters they may have their place but I have not found one on a tractor. I had a 200w once and it didn't do a dang thing stuck to my oil pan which is a flat plate and should have been ideal for it to work heating the oil and it did absolutely squat.

... havnt tried it yet ... note to self though ... thanks for sharing your experiance; ... I wonder if some insulation over top would of the heater and blanket over the engine would help direct the heat into the tractor engine ...

 

[Car Doc]

... havnt tried it yet ... note to self though ... thanks for sharing your experiance; ... I wonder if some insulation over top would of the heater and blanket over the engine would help direct the heat into the tractor engine ...

Time will tell Dave all you can do is try I dont know what would help?

If you notice on the Kats 200w 284 linked it says its for small engines snow blowers, chainsaws and so on and thats the same exact one I have my experience with its a high quality just low ability on bigger engines.

 

[DaveUK]

Well I couldn't find a dip stick heater here (sweden), nor a hose heater small enough. I did find a remote heater, but it needs an in and an out, and I don't seem to have those on the engine.

So I've made a cover for the engine/bonnet/radiator with a cutout for the exhaust, from a tarp. I then put a 1500w fan heater on top of the battery facing backwards through the radiator. It warms up the water in the radiator, and puts a bit of warm air around the engine area. Hopefully the tarp will hold it in a little. I ran it for an hour today (outside temp about 5C), and the block was certainly warm to the touch. Ha, just need to remember to remove the heater before moving off.

 

[California]

If you have electricity to the tractor you might want to put a trickle charger on the battery when you start that heater. This will warm the battery some. I think its cranking power is directly proportional to its temperature.

 

[grsthegreat]

i am using the glue on heaters. seem to work great. Wolverine Engine Heaters