Which engine heater for 2615

Wyld Bill · Dec 14, 2008

I live in Maine. Do I need a heater for my tractor??? This is my first full winter. The other day at 5 degrees she started pretty rough. Which type should I get & if I get one that goes in the radiator hose does anyoen know what size I need??

rmorency · Dec 15, 2008

Hello, When I bought my tractor the dealer said that I really did not need a heater for the area I was in. I live in Massachusetts and it does get cold here but not consistently below zero. Bought my tractor at the end of last winter and when I would start it to use to remove snow it would sound like a washing machine with rocks in it until it warmed up. This year I got a lower radiator hose heater and a battery blanket heater. I plug it in for a couple hours before I use it (actually put it on a regular electric cord timer the night before) and when it starts up it starts up just like in summer. I was worried about starting it cold since it made all that noise and I was wondering if it was actually doing damage? I was also worried about draining the battery or using up some life on it. Dealer said not to worry about it but for less than $50.00 I get piece of mind, a better start up and insurance. Watch the lower radiator hose heaters as I originally got a 1 1/2 id heater and when I cut the hose in the middle it was actually 1 1/4 id. I measered at the end of the hose and the ends were flaired out. Easy to install. I have a 7305 Cub Cadet which is actaully a 3015 Mahindra. Good luck and keep your cold weather up there in Maine. Take care.

George2615 · Dec 15, 2008

Hi Bill,
If you keep it in a heated garage you won't need a heater. My 2615 is in an unheated garage. I did not install a block heater but did install a lower radiator inline heater. I picked up a Kat's #14500 heater, drained the radiator, cut the lower hose and installed the heater, refilled the radiator and bled out the air. I was done in about 1/2 hr. I keep it plugged into an appliance timer that is set to turn on about 2 hrs. before I get home from work. That way the natural flow of heat rising circulates the water through the block and radiator and heats up to about 140 degrees making for easy starts.

Wyld Bill · Dec 19, 2008

George2615 said:
Hi Bill,
If you keep it in a heated garage you won't need a heater. My 2615 is in an unheated garage. I did not install a block heater but did install a lower radiator inline heater. I picked up a Kat's #14500 heater, drained the radiator, cut the lower hose and installed the heater, refilled the radiator and bled out the air. I was done in about 1/2 hr. I keep it plugged into an appliance timer that is set to turn on about 2 hrs. before I get home from work. That way the natural flow of heat rising circulates the water through the block and radiator and heats up to about 140 degrees making for easy starts.

Yeah that is probably the type I'll end up getting. What was the diameter of the rad. hose or the heater diameter?

Hey BTW I bought a brand new Puma snowblower locally.
It is a 70" Puma Lynx with a geared rotator Chute that glides on UHDW or whatever that stuffs called. Thing works slick. $2100 locally.

I see you sold your blower ok. Good for you.

Wyld Bill · Dec 19, 2008

rmorency said:
Hello, When I bought my tractor the dealer said that I really did not need a heater for the area I was in. I live in Massachusetts and it does get cold here but not consistently below zero. Bought my tractor at the end of last winter and when I would start it to use to remove snow it would sound like a washing machine with rocks in it until it warmed up. This year I got a lower radiator hose heater and a battery blanket heater. I plug it in for a couple hours before I use it (actually put it on a regular electric cord timer the night before) and when it starts up it starts up just like in summer. I was worried about starting it cold since it made all that noise and I was wondering if it was actually doing damage? I was also worried about draining the battery or using up some life on it. Dealer said not to worry about it but for less than $50.00 I get piece of mind, a better start up and insurance. Watch the lower radiator hose heaters as I originally got a 1 1/2 id heater and when I cut the hose in the middle it was actually 1 1/4 id. I measered at the end of the hose and the ends were flaired out. Easy to install. I have a 7305 Cub Cadet which is actaully a 3015 Mahindra. Good luck and keep your cold weather up there in Maine. Take care.

So,....do i need a 1-1/2" heater or 1-1/4"???

George2615 · Dec 19, 2008

Wyld Bill said:
Yeah that is probably the type I'll end up getting. What was the diameter of the rad. hose or the heater diameter?

Hey BTW I bought a brand new Puma snowblower locally.
It is a 70" Puma Lynx with a geared rotator Chute that glides on UHDW or whatever that stuffs called. Thing works slick. $2100 locally.

I see you sold your blower ok. Good for you.

Bill,
I don't remember the diameter but the Kats #14500 fit. Its available through most any auto parts store. Advance Auto site lists the 14500 as a 1 1/4" unit. Mines been on since Jan 2005. Now quit your whining and get busy.

mbohuntr · Dec 19, 2008

Hey George! Got some decent seat time with that puma...I'm in love!! only thing, I wore a good portion of the snow.

That heavy stuff was gettin thrown about 20'

. I also ordered that kats heater yesterday. I think the Ford Superduty is goin bye-bye...

George2615 · Dec 20, 2008

mbohuntr said:
Hey George! Got some decent seat time with that puma...I'm in love!! only thing, I wore a good portion of the snow. That heavy stuff was gettin thrown about 20'. I also ordered that kats heater yesterday. I think the Ford Superduty is goin bye-bye...

I had some fun last night too. Was plowing during the blizzard to get some of the 8-10" of snow out of the driveway so the wife could get in. When I started back to the garage where I started plowing there was another 2" there. I went out again this morning and cleaned up another 4-5". Also saw 2 of my neighbors weren't home so did their driveways as well.
Isn't seat time great.

Outlander · Dec 21, 2008

The hose heater is the logical choice given the price of the Mitsu block heater. I have a 600 watt Kats 1 1/4" and it is great. In one hour it heats the block and the radiator. When I start up the temp is already half way up the first zone on the gauge. I'm not sure but I wonder if wattage is important with these? I'm kind of glad I got the 600 watt. It really does the job.