MX5400/MX6000 Engine Block Heater

[bunkydad]

I was hoping to install an engine block heater on my MX6000 that is used for moving firewood and snowplowing. We've had a few nights when the morning temps are below freezing and the tractor started HARD on those mornings.

My old L3560 had an engine block heater that made it a little easier to start after that cold nights.

When I called the dealer to ask for the proper part number, he told me that the MX 5400/6000 do not recommend engine block heaters for startup.

I searched a bunch of the Kubota sites and they have a number of block heaters listed but none of them show that they fit the Mx5400/6000 tractors.

It shows this model:#70000-00297 Block Heater Kit but under the 'fits models' dropdown, the MX5400/6000 is not listed.

Thoughts? I find it weird that Kubota would not offer the block heater for those tractors.

Thank you in advance.

 

[TractorTech]

Searched MX5400 heater and found this through Kubota

 

[RjCorazza]

Searched MX5400 heater and found this through Kubota

That part number is for the engine itself, drilling down from that page:

This is the same heater I put in my L4060 9 years ago, a driven in bushing and threaded heater. The heater element does not extend beyond the bushing, so there are no block clearance issues.

 

[TractorTech]

That part number is for the engine itself, drilling down from that page:
View attachment 2514530
This is the same heater I put in my L4060 9 years ago, a driven in bushing and threaded heater. The heater element does not extend beyond the bushing, so there are no block clearance issues.

Yes, exactly. It didn't post tge whole picture, but it shows it as tge same kit mentioned

 

[bunkydad]

That's the one I thought would work, but the parts tech told me that it's not recommended for the MX5400/6000 series tractor. Can that be right?

 

[rScotty]

That's the one I thought would work, but the parts tech told me that it's not recommended for the MX5400/6000 series tractor. Can that be right?

Might be. It looks like the spud is a machined plumbing part without exterior threads.
So how does it mount into the block??
Is this is a type of adapter that is made to be driven into the block after the freeze plug was removed? And held by friction?
Not sure I would want to do that to our Kubota.

How about an in-hose heater instead? Or a lamp.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I was hoping to install an engine block heater on my MX6000 that is used for moving firewood and snowplowing. We've had a few nights when the morning temps are below freezing and the tractor started HARD on those mornings.

I have a MX5800 HST and I've started it in temps down to 0F. I've had 6 other Kubota's and they all were good cold starters. I've always used battery maintainers though, so that may make a difference. I also use 5W 30 engine oil and SUDT2 hydro oil in the trans.

One trick I found with the Kubota's is to let the glow plugs continue to heat for a few seconds after the display indicator goes out before cranking.

There was an option for a block heater on the 5800 when I bought it but the dealer said I didn't need it. I'm not sure of the difference between the 5800 and 6000 though and the 5800 heater may not fit.

 

[bunkydad]

Thank you. I'll get battery maintainers on them and let them cycle for longer.

 

[jigs_n_fixtures]

Oil pan heaters on the engine and transaxle help a lot.

Some of the engines with electronic engine management systems get confused by the hot water in the engine water jacket, and fail to enrich the mixture for starting, which makes them harder to start cold.

Using the glue on oil pan heaters help a lot with the cold start without overwarming the water-jacket.

 

[Rockbadchild]

did you ask why ? a other option is a magnetic block heater...

 

[Egon]

Alternative heaters to aid in starting.

In-line hose heater. They work well.

Throw a tarp over the engine and place a small portable heater under it. This also works well. Extend the tarp a bit to cover the transmission and you can get a real good warm up of everything. This is a little bit more work but works really well.

 

[Powderdreams]

OP:
I have the MX5400 and wanted a plug-in heater, I have the heaters on all my other Kubota vehicles (M7040-RTV-BX25). The dealer would not install the heater. I had planned to self-install the heater at home, but discussed with a technician he told me it WILL mess-up (confuse) the onboard electronics and I would become unhappy if I had to address the electronics confusion issue.
Good luck.

 

[jigs_n_fixtures]

OP:
I have the MX5400 and wanted a plug-in heater, I have the heaters on all my other Kubota vehicles (M7040-RTV-BX25). The dealer would not install the heater. I had planned to self-install the heater at home, but discussed with a technician he told me it WILL mess-up (confuse) the onboard electronics and I would become unhappy if I had to address the electronics confusion issue.
Good luck.

Look at the glue on oil pan heaters. I have them on my JDM tiny truck and adding them made a huge difference in how easy it is to start, and how fast it gets warmed up. Adding the one to the transmission made real difference in how long it takes to warm up the transmission enough to shift well.

I plan to add them to the engine and transmission on my one-ton dodge. The 6.7 Cummins uses a manifold preheater instead of glow plugs, and there is an issue with a bolt related to the preheat system coming off inside the intake manifold and grenading cylinder 6, totaling the engine. I got them bought and ran out of time to get them on.

And, I plan to add them to at least one of the tractors next summer. Just a matter of finding the time to get them installed.

When I install them, I run the power cords to an aluminum j-box and install a thermostatic switch to power them when the temperature gets below freezing outside. Then I install an RV power plug on the vehicle which feeds to the j-box. Gives me a one point hook up, for the heaters and a hard mounted battery charger/conditioner.

 

[jyoutz]

Look at the glue on oil pan heaters. I have them on my JDM tiny truck and adding them made a huge difference in how easy it is to start, and how fast it gets warmed up. Adding the one to the transmission made real difference in how long it takes to warm up the transmission enough to shift well.

I plan to add them to the engine and transmission on my one-ton dodge. The 6.7 Cummins uses a manifold preheater instead of glow plugs, and there is an issue with a bolt related to the preheat system coming off inside the intake manifold and grenading cylinder 6, totaling the engine. I got them bought and ran out of time to get them on.

And, I plan to add them to at least one of the tractors next summer. Just a matter of finding the time to get them installed.

When I install them, I run the power cords to an aluminum j-box and install a thermostatic switch to power them when the temperature gets below freezing outside. Then I install an RV power plug on the vehicle which feeds to the j-box. Gives me a one point hook up, for the heaters and a hard mounted battery charger/conditioner.

On my 5.9 Cummins, there is a built in heater on the block. After I bought it I researched this and discovered that all I had to do was to pull out a plastic plug that covered the plug receptacle and then plug in the cord. At the time, Dodge wanted $80 for the cord. I bought one from the local Cummins shop for $17.50. IDK about the 6.7, but it would be worth finding out if it already has the heater and just needs the cord.