When do you use your coolant heater system?

[BarnieTrk]

Hey Guys,

I've read that many diesel manufacturers recommend using a block heater if the engine/outside temperature gets below 20*F.

Now I'm sure the decision to use them can depend on the size of the engine, the type of heater (reservoir style, lower rad hose style, soft plug style, etc.) and just what the outside temperature is, such as 19*F or below -10*F.

But for discussions sake:

1) What type of block heater do you use on what type /size of engine? (such as: OEM soft plug style / 4cyl diesel)

2) When do you plug in your heaters; (A) as soon as you park & stop the engine or (B) just before you start your diesel engine, if (B), how much before: a couple of hours, 30 minutes, etc.?

3) How many folks here use a coolant heater on their gasoline-powered engines?

Thanks for sharing, Fellas!! :thumbsup:

BarnieTrk :tractor:

 

[Citydude]

I use the block heater installed by the factory. I unplug it when I start it up and plug it back in when I park it.

 

[BarnieTrk]

I use the block heater installed by the factory. I unplug it when I start it up and plug it back in when I park it.

Ok, your L3400 has a 3-cyl diesel, correct?

Do you use your factory block heater year around or only in the cold WY weather?

BarnieTrk

 

[duroc]

Ok, your L3400 has a 3-cyl diesel, correct?

Do you use your factory block heater year around or only in the cold WY weather?

BarnieTrk

I plug in my heater when the temps are continuously down around the freezing point.

There's no need to plug in the heater during the warm months, IMO!

 

[Citydude]

Ok, your L3400 has a 3-cyl diesel, correct? Do you use your factory block heater year around or only in the cold WY weather? BarnieTrk

Just in the colder winter months. Yes, it's a 3 cylinder diesel.

 

[hosspuller]

I have Deere 310C backhoe. The temp last night was 35 degrees. 30 minutes of 1000 watts through the factory block heater allows for a fast start in the morning without a long crank.

 

[showcattle]

On our Ford 3910, which has a 3 cylinder diesel, if it's colder than 30, I plug it in for at least 2 hours. It's so much easier to start.

 

[oosik]

I used bottom radiator hose heater (coffee pot heater) when I lived in Alaska. I would plug it in if temps were going to be below 32F. Then I built an attached, heated garage and all that "heater stuff" went out the window. Here in Eastern Washington it gets just as cold as it did in Anchorage but I only use a Battery Tender. The engine oil/engine coolant heaters do help but can become such a mess. They can leak, drip, plug up the heater circulation etc, etc. I just keep the battery hot and let the tractor warm up after starting. BTW - this is exactly the recommended procedure in my Kubota Op manual.

 

[Jerry/MT]

Hey Guys,

I've read that many diesel manufacturers recommend using a block heater if the engine/outside temperature gets below 20*F.

Now I'm sure the decision to use them can depend on the size of the engine, the type of heater (reservoir style, lower rad hose style, soft plug style, etc.) and just what the outside temperature is, such as 19*F or below -10*F.

But for discussions sake:

1) What type of block heater do you use on what type /size of engine? (such as: OEM soft plug style / 4cyl diesel)

2) When do you plug in your heaters; (A) as soon as you park & stop the engine or (B) just before you start your diesel engine, if (B), how much before: a couple of hours, 30 minutes, etc.?

3) How many folks here use a coolant heater on their gasoline-powered engines?

Thanks for sharing, Fellas!! :thumbsup:

BarnieTrk :tractor:

I have manufacturer recommended block heaters on all our diesel tractors and I installed them myself. My old gas Ferguson starts without a block heater. the TD95D has a 3.9 turbo'd engine and uses a 750 watt heater. The Ford 4610 has a 201 NA engine and uses a 500 watt heater

I put the block heater on for three hours before I use it. On my feeder tractor, I have a timer that the extension cord is connected to that turns it on at 1:30 pm and I generally feed at 4:30 pm. I activate the timer when the temps are consistently below 40F. It makes for easier starts and faster warm up. I always unplug it BEFORE I start and never plug it in with the engine running per the manufacturer's instructions.

 

[kco]

I have a radiator hose heater on my DK35. Similar to others I use it around 32F/0C and colder. The original owner/builder of our house is an electrician. He wired a switched outside receptacle in the kitchen. On cold days I switch it on 2 or 3 hours before starting.

I've started the tractor easily without it being plugged in at - 25C, but it sure sounds better (and no doubt is better for the tractor) when it is pre-heated(even at 32F/0C).

The heater works so well(or perhaps is too close to the temperature sensor) that the glow plugs don't operate. So I manually operate them before starting.