Using a "Mr. Heater" in Curtis Cab

[TCowner]

Using a \"Mr. Heater\" in Curtis Cab

A pre-warning of winter arrived in Minnesota yesterday. Temperatures in the 30s and a gentle "breeze" out of the northwest at about 35 mph has caused me to think about putting on the Curtis soft side cab on my TC40DA. At least there are no mosquitos pestering me.

I purchased the cab last winter with the 15,000 btu heater. The heater is pretty impressive with respect its heat output. The downside is that it takes a couple of hours to install by the time you drain the coolant, attach the hoses, refill the coolant and hook up the wiring. It might be a little faster the second time.

I thought an alternative to the water heater would be to just use one of the portable "Buddy Heaters" that you see sold at hardware stores, Norhtern Tool, etc. The heater is rated at 4,000 or 9,000 BTU and can use a 1-lb or 20-lb propane cylinder. I wouldn't plan on using a 20-lb cylinder but the 1-lb would seem rather convenient.

There is also a "Big Buddy" heater that is rated at 4000, 9000, or 18,000 BTUs. It would seem easy enough to build a small platform where the current hot water system heater attaches to hold the propane heater.

Both of these heaters are rated for indoor and outdoor use. They are supposed to be safe for tent use so it would seem to be safe for use in a cab.

Buying the small 1-lb propane tanks isn't cheap but the actual hours one spends moving snow probably amounts to less than 30 hours for the entire season. It also would seem to offer the advantage of instant heat rather than waiting for the tractors coolant to warm.

What do you guys think? Does anyone know how long a 1-lb cylinder would run the heater at the higher output?

 

[ronjhall]

Re: Using a \"Mr. Heater\" in Curtis Cab

I would be very concerned about anything that creates carbon monoxide in a confined space.
I just got a Curtis catalog in the mail yesterday. There is a DC Electric Heater that puts out 1200 BTU on 12 Volts DC for $188. Not going to get you hot but should help to keep the feet warm.
Why not use the money for the extra heater and pay someone to install the heater you have?

 

[RickB]

Re: Using a \"Mr. Heater\" in Curtis Cab

I would think a couple inline shutoffs and a proper harness connector would trim the time it takes to install the Curtis heater.

 

[thcri]

Re: Using a \"Mr. Heater\" in Curtis Cab

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I would think a couple inline shutoffs and a proper harness connector would trim the time it takes to install the Curtis heater. )</font>

Rick,

I agree that would be the best way. However, TCowner was also looking for a way to heat his cab faster. Waiting for the coolant to warm up takes too long. I know my TC29D the temp gauge in the winter will not come off the bottom until I start working the engine. If I let it just sit at a fast idle it will never create enough heat to warm up a cab. The propane one does scare me even though they say for indoor use. If not vented it isn't really good for indoor use no matter what the manufactures say.

murph

 

[alan40]

Re: Using a \"Mr. Heater\" in Curtis Cab

How about a block heater or lower hose heater? That gets your antifreeze up to temp fast. I used one the first two years my tractor was outside here in Vermont. Even bought a timer so I wouldn't have to leave it on all night. Just set it to come on an hour prior to when I got up. When you hook up your heater and have your antifreeze out throw it in.
Just a suggestion. Have a great day.

 

[PineRidge]

Re: Using a \"Mr. Heater\" in Curtis Cab

I would be very leery about any heater that competed with me for oxygen in the same confined area. I know most have oxygen sensors but we all know how Murphey's law works, right?

The second strike is carbon monoxide however minute the amounts may be.

Third strike would be risk of fire within the cab. Things might get hot real quick with a propane heater.

I think I'de figure an easier way to connect the heater that works off your circulating engine coolant. Then either use an electric block heater for quick warm ups or do like the semi drivers and restrict the air going through the radiator until the block comes up to normal operating temps. Much, much safer.

 

[shoppintractors]

Re: Using a \"Mr. Heater\" in Curtis Cab

I wonder if this heater would be any good?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=36711

Don

 

[Inspector507]

Re: Using a \"Mr. Heater\" in Curtis Cab

Don,
At 120 watts, probably not /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[RickB]

Re: Using a \"Mr. Heater\" in Curtis Cab

Cooling systems are designed to prevent engine overheating with little regard for winter use. As an 'old' farmer, I know that 99% of us could cover half to two thirds of the radiator core with cardboard for the entire winter without overheating risk, especially if we monitor the temp gauge. Nearly instant heat, better engine life and efficiency. Cheap, easy. Make the cover symmetrical if you are concerned about fan flex. I don't, and haven't failed a fan yet.

 

[thcri]

Re: Using a \"Mr. Heater\" in Curtis Cab

I agree Rick, that would help much. For me no, I don't have a cab so I don't worry. When it is cold, I just dress up and get out and get it done as quick as I can and then get back in the house.

There is no burr Face for me to use here.


murph

 

[shoppintractors]

Re: Using a \"Mr. Heater\" in Curtis Cab

Inspector,

Maybe a hand warmer? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Don

 

[TCowner]

Re: Using a \"Mr. Heater\" in Curtis Cab

PineRidge, I was concerned about the carbon monoxide issue as well. But the Curtis Cab, like most add on cabs, provides far from an air tight seal. The doors fit well and seal fairly well but there are multiple small air gaps. In addition, there is no seal on the bottom as lots of fresh air enters around the seat, hydrualic controls, etc.

I'm the last one who wants to collapse inside my cab from carbon monoxide poisoning. Now my wife, that's a different story. She was opposed to me getting the cab. It would be the ulitmate way for her to get back at me. She could tell all of her friends at my funeral that she was right, the no-good ******* never should have bought that cab.

It just seems that if these heaters produced the deadly gas at such high levels that the manufacturer wouldn't be allowed to market them safe for indoor and outdoor use such as cabins, campers and tents. Both units have an automatic low oxygen shut off system.

It just seems that there is plenty of fresh air coming in. I know that if I shut the heater fan off the temperature drops rather quickly.

There was another point that I didn't mention with my original post. The Curtis heater, while it puts out a lot of heat, is quite noisy especially in the high fan speed.

In the end I probably will just install the heater I've already paid for. But if I didn't already own it I'd be inclinded to give one of the propane heaters a try.

 

[thcri]

Re: Using a \"Mr. Heater\" in Curtis Cab

TCowner,

I don't know if you remember or not but I think it was channel 5 in the twin cities had a documentary on people standing on the back of their boats and falling in and drowning. They never could figure out why these people, who are good swimmers would drown just from falling out the back of their boats. After a young kid fell in and someone saved him they could not bring him back to life to easy and found he was full of carbon monoxide. They went back to some of these guys that they thought drowned and found they actually were full of carbon monoxide. To me that is about as well ventilated as you can get and yet carbon monoxide was bad enough for them to pass out on.

My insurance company at work won't even allow me touch them type of heaters to install anyplace.

It is up to you but I think your taking a risk.

murph

 

[PineRidge]

Re: Using a \"Mr. Heater\" in Curtis Cab

One last point that I forgot to mention is the fact that any gas burning appliance is also going to emit large quantities of water vapor during the combustion process. I don't think that you want to deal with fogged windows in the winter not to mention moisture inside the cab that might do other damage once you exit the cab and it might have a chance to freeze. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I just don't think your gas fired heater is the safest solution to your needs. We don't want to lose you at TBN either.

 

[kensfarm]

Re: Using a \"Mr. Heater\" in Curtis Cab

When I had a CJ5 Jeep.. I've saw that they made 12v heaters to put in the jeep's cab. Maybe one of those would work okay..

 

[jim_wilson]

Re: Using a \"Mr. Heater\" in Curtis Cab

After reading this post I wanted to pass on an idea that I had to keep warm on my tractor that I haven't seen mentioned yet
on this forum. I have ridden motorcycles for a number of years and once you get down below say 40 degrees or so it gets mighty cold on motorcycle because you are exposed to the wind. To help with this you can get heated clothing - I have never actually used the stuff but I have a number of friends who ride in inclement weather who say the stuff works great. You can get everything from simple heated vest to a full jacket, gloves, and pants and I believe even socks. For further info check out the Gerbing site here - they make a complete line and are highly recommended by the motorcycle guys. The stuff all runs on 12 volts so it would work fine on a tractor. A lot easier to install than all the work entailed in putting in a heater - you just have to put it on.