Space Heater for Tractor...??

JDGreenGrass · Dec 15, 2009

I am thinking of getting a space heater for my un-insulated garage where my tractor sits.

I want it for 2 reasons.....tell me if this makes sense.

1) To melt the ice and snow away and off the tractor after cleaning up from the storms.

2) A heater to "point" at the tractor to warm it up before cranking it over in cold temperatures.

Am I on the right track here or do I have one wheel in the ditch.??

rus_geek · Dec 15, 2009

Well, if you melt the snow, but don't dry it off and the water freezes as a layer of ice, are you better or worse off? My tractor is parked in a tarp garage, so I'm just leaving the snow build-up as it gathers. Trying to keep all the cylinders fully retracted so I don't have problems with ice or rust on the rods.

As for preheating when starting, you'd probably be better off with an actual engine heater that would heat *inside* the engine, rather than trying to heat it from the outside.

-rus-

Redneck in training · Dec 15, 2009

rus_geek said:
Well, if you melt the snow, but don't dry it off and the water freezes as a layer of ice, are you better or worse off? My tractor is parked in a tarp garage, so I'm just leaving the snow build-up as it gathers. Trying to keep all the cylinders fully retracted so I don't have problems with ice or rust on the rods.

As for preheating when starting, you'd probably be better off with an actual engine heater that would heat *inside* the engine, rather than trying to heat it from the outside.

-rus-

And it will cost less money to buy and operate not speaking about fire hazard.

Wayne County Hose · Dec 15, 2009

I think it's a good idea. I used to do something similar with my service vehicle in an unheated garage. I put a torpedo heater on one of those Christmas light timers. If I was leaving at 5 a.m., I would set it to come on at 3 a.m. Didn't have to leave it on all the time and it was warm when I needed it.

Ductape · Dec 15, 2009

I use a multi-fuel torpedo heater in my unheated barn. I start it 45 minutes or so before its time to go clearing snow. Works well for me.

brandoro · Dec 15, 2009

I would say brush off as much snow as you can before you put it away and get a block heater. A 300-400 watt block heater will put more heat into the engine in an hour than a several thousand BTU external heater will and no chance of melting any wires or other soft parts or starting a fire.
A heater like you describe will warm the air up fairly fast but will put very little heat into things like engine blocks and transmissions unless it is on for several hours.

GPintheMitten · Dec 15, 2009

Well, maybe a combination of the two. A magnetic block heater to pre-warm the engine oil on a timer for a couple of hours to aid in starting. And a space heater to melt the snow off when you're done clearing snow. Just don't leave it on unattended for too long. I think the melt will run off, so I don't think it will re-freeze enough to cause a problem.

The costs to experiment aren't too awfully bad. A magnetic block heater can be bought for about $30 plus shipping and maybe bought locally as well. I bought a kerosene space heater a couple of years ago from Tractor Supply and I think it cost about $130. It would come in handy for other heat uses even if it wasn't effective for melting the snow off the machine.

Will_C · Dec 15, 2009

I do the same-my tractor is stored in an old shed. My BX did not have a block heater, so I would carry the space heater down and heat the tractor for 20 minutes or so before I started it. Then I would take the heater back to my unheated, but weather tight garage and let it run while I plowed. It was a great place to get warm without going in the house. I would park the tractor in there for the rest of day (heater off0 and let it dry out while I was at work.
My new B has a block heater, so I will do the same thing, but not have to carry the space heater down to the shed.

Will

JDGreenGrass · Dec 15, 2009

Good replies. You all got me thinking.

What is a block heater.?? I have heard the term a hundred times over but I honestly don't know what it looks like or how it installs.

The tip about a space heater blowing on the rubber and hoses and other soft parts is a consideration. Good point.

Not as concerned about melting the ice and snow as I am about getting the tractor warm for a good start.

I should add that the tractor does have a cold weather start at the ignition key.

Do any of you start your tractor on cold days, even if you're not going to use it.?? It is not unusual for us to have a week of -20F with daytime highs in the single digits, sometimes daytime highs sub-0.