Well, today's high temperature was 12 F. Even plugged in overnight, the (1) 200 Watt magnetic pan heater I had on the hydraulic oil tank did not help -- at least not enough. Ken, I'll try your method by adding additional wattage.
Pan Heater?
- Thread starter AndrewB
- Start date
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pajoube
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2001
- Messages
- 2,225
- Location
- Montana (Near Bozeman)
- Tractor
- Former Owner PowerTrac 425 (September 2003)
Andrew, welcome to TBN and the wonderful PowerTrac owners.
I have the 425 with the Kohlor engine. Temperatures go well below zero on a regular basis in Decembeer and January. I use one 300 watt magnetic plate which I put on the hydraulic tank. Keep plugged in all winter and have had no problem starting.
PJ
I have the 425 with the Kohlor engine. Temperatures go well below zero on a regular basis in Decembeer and January. I use one 300 watt magnetic plate which I put on the hydraulic tank. Keep plugged in all winter and have had no problem starting.
PJ
Ken and PJ: Thanks for the information - I begin to have some hope. If I could ask another stupid question: Where, exactly, do you attach your heaters? I know it should be as low as possible. Otherwise, what's the best place? Thanks again.
Andrew,
I use a 300 watt and 200 watt on the bottom of the hydraulic tank. I've experimented with putting the 200 watt on the tram pump. Use at least 500 watts of heating for a couple of hours and experiment where to place them.
I use a 300 watt and 200 watt on the bottom of the hydraulic tank. I've experimented with putting the 200 watt on the tram pump. Use at least 500 watts of heating for a couple of hours and experiment where to place them.
SpringHollow
Elite Member
I also put them on the bottom of the tank. I use an outdoor rated timer and have it turn on 2 hours before i would typically plow in the morning and the same at night. I run the extension cord around the steering wheel so i do not stupidly drive away with them connected. When i take them off, i just attach them to the side of a metal shelf in case they are still hot.
I bought some smaller ones to attach to the engine oil pan but i have not installed those. really want to do a permanent setup so that a plug is accessible without having to lift the cover, etc.
Ken
I bought some smaller ones to attach to the engine oil pan but i have not installed those. really want to do a permanent setup so that a plug is accessible without having to lift the cover, etc.
Ken
gotago
Member
I use a magnetic heater, unsure of the wattage, on the hydraulics, and throw my shoplite in the engine compartment close to the pan, cover with a blanket and have had no problems in northern PA. Prior to the shoplite, I used a dipstick oil heater and it worked great, the caveat is that the dipstick heaters just came apart after a few uses. At 18 bucks a pop that is unacceptable.