Engine heater

[Anonymous Poster]

Does my new 3130 need any type of block heater,i have cows to feed so it will get used in the winter.The dealer said it didnt but was going to put one on anyway but there is a problem fitting it on the lower radi hose-close to the muffler pipe.

 

[Charliebrn]

You might consider a block heater as opposed to the in-line heater for the coolant lines. They tend to be less problematic from what I gather, and that's the reason I put one in my BX. I'm very happy with it.

 

[Boondox]

Ditto what Charliebrn said. I never used one in my first tractor but the L3010 came with one. Took me a year to try plugging it in, but WOW what a difference it made!

Pete

 

[Anonymous Poster]

For the cost of having one installed, it is definatly worth it. It also saves wear and tear on the engine. You won't have to crank as long, and the engine isn't starting from a dead cold standstill.

 

[Trev]

I asked my farmer neighbors about that.. they said sure, for the first few years the tractors start right up in the winter.. but after that they get a bit lazy and like to bask in the heat before starting. Take that for what it's worth.. but from old farmers I would suspect it's probably true.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I forgot to have one installed when I bought my B2910 last summer, but did have one put in when my tractor went back for a small warantee repair.

One morning this winter I had to start the tractor while it was cold [did not have time to use the block heater] and was amazed how much smoke came out for the first ten seconds or so...using the block heater just FEELS good...

Others have posted bad things about those heaters that go in the rubber hoses. I would suggest that you go the block heater route if you can...

It's also neat to turn the key on when it is freezing out and to see the temp gage come up a bit before turning the key further.../w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Bill in Pgh, PA

 

[Egon]

I may be mistaken but I think the engine heaters on bigger diesel units are all in line with the coolant hoses.

Egon

 

[cchoate]

I just got a block heater from TSC for $22. It's a 200watt magnetic heater that I attach to the oil pan. We will find out how well it does when later this weeks weather gets here. Anybody else use this one?

 

[gerard]

I have the block heater that replaces one of the freeze plugs. $50, 300 watt, easy install. Takes about 2 hours to heat up block in 15-20 deg F temp. I keep it on a timer to come on a few hours before I'm going to use it whicvh works great. Cut's the warm up time to a few minutes, starts like it's summer, and HAS to be better for the engines. Unless I lived south of GA I'd have one.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I was wondering about the magnetic ones also /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif would like to know what you think about yours...

 

[hwp]

A magnetic heater that attaches to the oil pan is OK for gas engines. It will keep the oil warm but not the block, but that is OK because ignition comes from the spark plugs. OTH, a diesel engine uses compression for combustion and if the block is cold it is more difficult to get combustion, so a heater that warms the coolant and hence the block is required. BTW, in colder climates, a battery heater can be a godsend as it will enable the battery to deliver more punch on cold days.

 

[cchoate]

The magnetic heater I use has a surface temp of 300-400 degrees F. The heat should transfer from the pan to the block and keep the block semi-warm also. I was going to install a in-line block heater but it's just something else to leak, break, repair and maintain.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I was at the part store and saw and bought one of the magnetic heaters got home and guess what the pan on a 3130 is aluminum.

 

[Egon]

Now is the time when a good man reaches for his duct tape.
Perhaps high temp silicon will stick it on.

Egon

 

[art]

I'd say you don't have to have one in your area. If you want one go for the block installed one as the lower radiator ones I have no respect for. The upper part of the block is what you want heated to start a cold diesel not the radiator. Plus there is the problems of leaks on the radiator hose units.