Block Heater

[Jesse masterson]

Are you talking about heat tape? If yes I would be concerned that it may hot spot and melt the rubber hose. I know from experience that it will melt PVC pipe. Other problem is would you get any circulation of fluid through the block?

Yea I was talking heat tape, couldn't think of what it was called if you put it on the bottom hose heat rises I would think it might circulate from bottom up, just a thought, as far as melting I've had several for years with no problems , dosent mean it couldn't happen though.

[Ace3]

I had the dealer install the Kubota block heater. Works great. I walk out to the barn, plug it in, go back in and have a cup of coffee and by the time I'm done its warmed up any ready to start. I just think its better to pre-warm the enging before starting on a very cold day.

[oldballs]

Although a small BX engine, the 200 watt magnetic electric oil pan heater did next to nothing for warming the engine. I'd like to have that $35 back. I didn't know better at the time. Maybe the larger magnetic one would do better for moderate cold. But if you're talking 0 deg F, I'd now go for a block heater or some other kind of apparatus.

[tomf]

I installed a Kubota block heater on my b2400 3 years ago. This is why. After letting my B2400 sit outside on a particularly cold night, -14, I started it up, went inside for about 5 minutes to wait while it warmed up. When I came out my tractor was not running and all its hydraulic fluid was on the ground. A plug had popped. I'm guessing there was some water in the fluid that froze and blocked a pipe causing pressure to build and blow the plug. The block heater is cheap peace of mind.

[PHILIP8N]

A plug had popped.

What plug popped? Philip.

[xring100]

I installed a Kubota block heater on my b2400 3 years ago. This is why. After letting my B2400 sit outside on a particularly cold night, -14, I started it up, went inside for about 5 minutes to wait while it warmed up. When I came out my tractor was not running and all its hydraulic fluid was on the ground. A plug had popped. I'm guessing there was some water in the fluid that froze and blocked a pipe causing pressure to build and blow the plug. The block heater is cheap peace of mind.

How does a block heater solve this problem? did you install the heater in the trans someplace? A block heater on the engine does nothing to keep water in the trans from freezing.
The reason i ask is i would like a descent way to safely heat the hydraulic oil? My Trans take 15 -20 minutes to warm up even with a block heater

Dave

[PHILIP8N]

i would like a descent way to safely heat the hydraulic oil?

Google 'Kim Hot Start', they have an entire range of idustiral heaters for many fluids and applications. This is what we use on units we send to Siberia. Philip.

[tomf]

What plug popped? Philip.

There is a plug above the shaft seal in the clutch housing. You can't see it in this picture because the shaft is blocking your view. It's part number 100 on the .pdf file.

[tomf]

How does a block heater solve this problem? did you install the heater in the trans someplace? A block heater on the engine does nothing to keep water in the trans from freezing.
The reason i ask is i would like a descent way to safely heat the hydraulic oil? My Trans take 15 -20 minutes to warm up even with a block heater

Dave

I'm guessing even the limited heating provided by the block heater would have been enough to prevent the ice from forming. I could be wrong. I never had a problem when I stored my tractor in my unheated barn no matter what the temperature was. The reason I parked the B2400 outside was because there was so much snow I could not get to the barn. Anyway, it's better than nothing.

Don't know how water got in the fluid. Always stored inside. Never operated in the rain.

[PHILIP8N]

There is a plug above the shaft seal in the clutch housing. You can't see it in this picture because the shaft is blocking your view.

So is that on the top of the transmission housing? Appears that there would be nothing but air under that plug. Philip.