Heat lamp for cold nights?

Bob_Trevithick · Dec 3, 2001

I know, probably a dumb idea.. but I wonder about just taking some kind of heat lamp and placing it under the tractor and facing up during those cold nights? Would that be as useful as an actual block heater, or would it just be a waste of power?

I have a pole barn.. just built, no insulation, but at least the tractor is out of the elements and shielded from the wind.

The nice thing about this approach is (might be?) that more than just the engine could be warmed.. the trans and differentials might also benefit. Okay, I may need three or four low powered lights instead of one big one.

Thoughts?

Bird · Dec 3, 2001

Bob, I've not had a need to do it, but a heat lamp sounds like a fine idea to me. I'll be interested, too, in what some of our folks from colder climates think about the idea.

Anonymous Poster · Dec 3, 2001

<font color=blue>...or would it just be a waste of power?...</font color=blue>

Yep... unless you've got some MacDonald's french fries you want to keep warm... /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

In Rochester, NY, I'd use a block heater on a timer... you can also use a simple 1500 electric space heater on a timer for your hydraulics and trans. etc.

But using the "heat lamps" would be a very poor and inefficient way to heat such a "mass" {and certainly not cost effective}... /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

Thomas · Dec 3, 2001

Hi Bob and welcome to TBN.
Heat lamps sounds like a good idea..
How close do you plan on putting the lamps to the tractor,you may want to consider..fuel..grease..if for some reason the lamps should tip over cause a fire.
How much heat will be lost while try to keep the engine etc.. warm.

I have a block heater on my Kubota and I just plug it in the night before for the next day use...can't beat it. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

cowboydoc · Dec 3, 2001

My thought too is to just get a block heater, otherwise you're just throwing good money away for very little benefit. No doubt it will help some but nothing like a block heat and for way more money. Take the money you would have spent on electric bills and spend it on a block heater. Also for you guys with block heaters to save yourself some money get a programmable timer and program it to turn your tractor on one hour before you may need it. It doesn't do the fluids any good to be continually heated for extended periods of time if it isn't needed.

Thomas · Dec 3, 2001

Good idea on the timer,better than walking outside and the snow ankle deep plus and the wind chill is brrrrr /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif pluging in the heater.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

billboe · Dec 3, 2001

If you decide to risk/try it, you could save some heat with a nice big blanket of sorts for your baby...

Billboe

Bob_Trevithick · Dec 4, 2001

Hi Folks, and thanks for the welcome!

My thinking was as follows:

-I'm new to diesels, and to hydraulics, having just moved from a GT235 to a JD 4300 which has yet to even be delivered.

-I will have a block heater on a timer, as most recommend.

-I've read that even if your engine starts up fine, on those really cold days you may find that your hydraulics don't do much.

-I'm thinking that 5 or 10 minutes of warming the engine, whether it's been on a block heater or not, won't do much for the transmission, differentials, etc.

-I considered a space heater on the same timer as the block heater, but thought perhaps strategically arranged heat lamps might use less power and focus the heat in the key areas better.

-I've read that even a few degrees can make a big difference, so was thinking that maybe low powered heat lamps, perhaps of the variety used to keep small animals, birds, etc., warm, might suffice. Of course I might end up with a garage full of animals, birds, etc. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

-I was also toying with the idea of a cover for the tractor, to keep the heat contained to some extent.

-On the negative side, I wonder about condensation. Maybe I would lose more than I gain by having the tractor at a different temperature than the ambient air. Even with a full tank of fuel, might I end up with condensation in some of my lines and components?

Given the weather so far this year around Rochester, I'm probably worrying about nothing, but I can't shake the feeling that we are just being set up for the kill. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Also, this is my new baby, and half the fun of something like this is in the thought we put into how to use and protect it. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

This forum is fantastic!! Thanks for being here for us newbies!

Bob

tsh3 · Dec 4, 2001

Bob,
Back when I used to drive an Austin America the only way I could get that thing started on cold
mornings was to keep a 100 watt bulb lit under the oil pan all night. I had the light mounted
inside a coffee can and pointed it at the pan/trannycase. I ran 20w50 oil in it year round and
that little bit of heat made all the difference in the world when trying to start it.

Steve

snowman · Dec 4, 2001

Bob;

I have my B7500 in an unheated garage. Garage was cold enough last winter that the snow on the cars did not melt, so basically the garage just protected everything from the wind.

This year was the first year I had it (got it in 2/2001). Also my first year in this house.

I never had a problem starting the tractor last winter. Just left the glow plug on for five or ten seconds, then started it right up.

I would let it warm up while I went around with a snow shovel cleaning in front of the garage doors, front door etc - maybe ten minutes or so.

I use a front snowblower versus the FEL, so hydraulics weren't an issue in terms of slowness of movement.

During the summer, I plugged up alot of air holes in the garage, so it should be even warmer this year. Was 39 degrees this morning, but 55 in the garage, so it seems to be working.

My neighbor has a bunch of construction equipment. He uses Bobcat Skidsteers to clean the snow off of his driveway. Everything he has is uncovered, outside. He doesn't use anything to heat them and they always start right up.

My main point is that you may not need to worry about heating the tractor/engine prior to starting it.