Get An Engine Heater!!

[KennK]

If you have a diesel engine and live where it gets cold ... get an engine heater!!

I've had my JD 3320 for several years now. Its always started fairly well during winters so long as its stored inside. Last winter I made the mistake of leaving it outside one night when it got down to single digits (F), and it simply would not start. I killed the battery trying to start it. I ended up putting a blanket over the engine and putting a 100W light bulb under the engine. It finally started but belched black soot.

When I'd bought the tractor the JD dealer insisted that I didn't need an engine heater, so I didn't pursue it any further. After last winter's problem I asked the dealer to install one. It turned out that it already had one - its just that the cord was really well hidden. Sigh.

This morning I left the tractor outside near my driveway because it was snowing last night. I plugged in the heater for about 90-120 minutes before starting. I gave it 20 seconds of glow plugs, turned the key, and was stunned by how fast it started - faster than it starts in the summer (how can that be??). It ran for maybe 10-15 seconds on high RPM and then kicked down to the lower RPM idle. Sweet!!!

I'm now a life-long fan of engine heaters for diesel engines.

If you don't have one ... get one!!!

 

[smfcpacfp]

I couldn't agree more. I have had my tractor for 2+ years. We get 48 days on average when the temperature gets below zero. I had the block heater installed before I picked it up. I use the heater when it gets down below +25 for at least a half hour. I think the coldest temperature that I have used the tractor was -20F and I had the block heater on for 90 minutes. It did start quickly, but you still need to warm up the hydraulic fluid appropriately before you use it.

 

[Thomas]

Money well spent.

 

[Dan W]

KennK
I agree, a jacket water heater is money well spent and your engine and starter will reward you with great service life.

I spent 3 years in the Yukon where saw repaired many failed engines due to cold starts. on my own engine, I'd wrap a battery blanket around the battery, one around the starter and installed 2 coolant heaters, even then, at -45 to -50F getting engines started was exciting.

Given that a significant amount of wear on engines occurs at start-up, you want to be as conscientious as you can if you love your machine. Warming the coolant, engine oil pan heater is an excellent idea in very cold climates and battery blanket, all are good ideas depending on temperature..

 

[20 20]

engine heaters are a must IMO. Not only do they help with cold engine start they also help with lubrication, by warming up the oils.

 

[Mark_in_NH]

An engine heater was one of the items I insisted on when I ordered my tractor 6 years ago. Definetley an invaluable option

 

[JoeL4330]

Once you are bringing electricity to your tractor's block heater, consider a trickle charger permanently mounted and a cube tap

 

[art]

All engines start differently. We have new tractors that will start below -25 degrees and we have some new ones that won't start when it's plus 25 without assistance.

Block heaters are good when installed properly for warming the engine in the head area for a clean start but there is still more such as oil pan heaters to allow the oil to flow quicker.
The best thing that can be done is to have the battery warm! This can be done with a battery heater or a maintainer that gives it a low charge. At 32 degree's your battery is half what it is at 70 degree's and it is more often the battery not being able to crank the engine fast enough for it to fire.

 

[KennK]

Once you are bringing electricity to your tractor's block heater, consider a trickle charger permanently mounted and a cube tap

Yup ... I've used a trickle charger since I got the tractor. I just hadn't realized the huge difference the engine heater would make.

BTW, I still do let everything run for a while before heading off with the tractor - to let the fluids get nice and warm. It actually tells me when the hydraulics are warm, since the FEL moves slower when things are cold - much like my old body.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Do newer tractors have compression release to aid starting?

My 1983 Kubota diesel does and I rarely use it. But a couple of weeks ago, it didn't start and the battery was weak. I put a charge on the battery and came back and tried it and still didn't start up at first try, so I used the compression release, got it spinning fast right away and let go to give it compression and bang, it started right up.

 

[ElDorado]

Okay guys, the one hundred dollar question: What if the tractor shed does not have electricity and it is a fair piece from the electricity? Running a power cord 150+ feet doesn't thrill me. We get some cold weather and snow where I am. The power cord would quickly get buried by snow and then run over by the tractor or a snowmobile. Does anyone have any ideas? Taking the wife's car out of the garage is NOT a viable idea.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[DanD78]

My dealer also told me I would not need a block heater on my 3320 but I told him to include it any why. You are right about how easy it starts after being plugged in. Over the years I have delt with enough big diesel engines and what it takes to make them run that I didn't want the frustration.

Dan

 

[Thomas]

For now,do have trees etc. you could run cord high enough,than next year run under ground line.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Okay guys, the one hundred dollar question: What if the tractor shed does not have electricity and it is a fair piece from the electricity? Running a power cord 150+ feet doesn't thrill me. We get some cold weather and snow where I am. The power cord would quickly get buried by snow and then run over by the tractor or a snowmobile. Does anyone have any ideas? Taking the wife's car out of the garage is NOT a viable idea.

Thanks,
Matt

If you don't have trees to run the power cord through, how about nailing together a few 2x4's to make supports for the wire.

Or, park the tractor closer to the house and put a big tarp over it.

On the other hand, if you can't get the drive cleared, what good does the car in a garage do? Start her car for her and clean it off for her in exchange for the garage. ...I know, that will never fly.

 

[art]

Do newer tractors have compression release to aid starting?

My 1983 Kubota diesel does and I rarely use it. But a couple of weeks ago, it didn't start and the battery was weak. I put a charge on the battery and came back and tried it and still didn't start up at first try, so I used the compression release, got it spinning fast right away and let go to give it compression and bang, it started right up.

We haven't had any new engines designed with a compression release for over thirty years. With the use of various other systems like indirect injection and some of the newer electronic injection systems varing the timing and better starters as well as pumps things have moved away from needing that system.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Okay guys, the one hundred dollar question: What if the tractor shed does not have electricity and it is a fair piece from the electricity? Running a power cord 150+ feet doesn't thrill me. We get some cold weather and snow where I am. The power cord would quickly get buried by snow and then run over by the tractor or a snowmobile. Does anyone have any ideas? Taking the wife's car out of the garage is NOT a viable idea.

Thanks,
Matt

Use that tractor in the spring to trench a 30 amp circuit with some 10ga wire in cheap plastic 1/2" conduit. Put in a couple of outlets and light and you will be set. I would put it on a switch from the house. When you wake up throw the switch and she will start working. Go out in 1 hours and you will be good to go.

As for heaters I am convinced also. I had a F-150 with on and never used it. Came with it from the factory. Anyway I stepped up to my first diesel in 2004 and it got down to -20 at the inlaws on Christmas eve. I plugged it in that night and the next morning I feared the worst. Went out and just turned the key on to run the glow plugs and the heater was blowing hot air. It started right up. Of course I topped off the tank and treated the fuel the night before.

I installed a block heater on my 28 HP Jinma and wow. Plug it in and come back 45 minutes later and turn on the key the water temp gauge shows 120 deg. Fires right up but I still have to let it warm up to get the hydros alive good. I also have a compression release but do not use it.

Chris

 

[dodge man]

I have seen trouble lights that were setup to be run off a car battery. You could get a seperate car battery and hang the trouble light under the hood of your tractor, but that sounds like more work than its worth, since you would have to haul the extra battery back and forth to keep it charged. You could also use an invertor to power a block heater off a car battery, but I'd guess that would suck the battery down pretty quick.

 

[jdfire]

Not sure how much the block heaters draw, but I'm thinking of taking my generator with me when I visit my tractor, which is on property with no electricity.

 

[GPintheMitten]

We haven't had any new engines designed with a compression release for over thirty years. With the use of various other systems like indirect injection and some of the newer electronic injection systems varing the timing and better starters as well as pumps things have moved away from needing that system.

I wondered about that. Thanks for the info. My tractor is 27 years old...design of the engine is probably dates back over 30 years.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Not sure how much the block heaters draw, but I'm thinking of taking my generator with me when I visit my tractor, which is on property with no electricity.

0W-40 oil and a propane torch for the intake manifold. Good to go in 5minutes.
larry