Block heater question

[Rockyridge]

When I purchased a L3400 with 100 hours on it last fall I had the dealer install a block heater before I took it home. With the temp below zero and the wind chill about -15 today I decided to try the heater out.

After it was plugged in for a couple of hours I expected the base of the heater to be hot or maybe even warm but it didn’t even feel warm when I touched it before staring the tractor.

After a few tries, the tractor did start but was really rough for the first minute or so. I expected it to start pretty easy after being plodded in for 2 hours.

I suspect that the heater didn’t work but would like to verify my guess that the base would feel at least a little warm after being plugged in for a couple of hours shouldn’t it.

Next step would be to check the plus and extension cord etc.


Thanks for any information you can provide.

 

[ccsial]

I usually leave my L3400 plugged in for at least 4 hours when it is really cold. If you plug it in and out fast you should see some sparks if it is drawing current. If it is out in the wind that can slow down heating too.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I don't have block heaters on my tractors, but I have them on my all the trucks in my fleet. We plug them in when the trucks return to the terminal and leave them plugged in until they are started again the next morning. Block heaters only heat enough to get the engine warm but not hot. I would also recommend at least 4 hours of warming, but I would not see a problem with running the heater over night (or longer) unless the instructions for your specific heater recommend against it.

 

[George2615]

If you have an ohmmeter you can measure the resistance across the power plug (while unplugged of course) and then measure across the element itself. If it has some resistance at the plug and the element the cord is good and you may just need to leave it plugged in longer. If you get no indication of resistance on the meter, the heater element may be open or broken. I you have a resistance at the element but not at the plug then your cord or the male plug end may be bad. Hopefully it is only the cord or end that's bad which is fairly easy to replace.

 

[radman1]

I had my block heater plugged in today for about 4 hours and the temp is 10F. The block is very warm to the touch near the heater. The heater is 600 watts. Check it out with an ohm meter to see if there is resistance.

 

[Northland]

I have a block heater on my new B7800 as well as on my truck and wife's car. When I plug in the tractor I can actually hear some "gurgling" start immediately. The same goes for the car and truck but all three are in the garage with the door closed. We have them plugged in each night

I find 2 hours more then sufficient to warm up up all the vehicles and actually have a timer set to start two hours before we go to work each morning.

 

[CampMan]

ROCKYRIDGE,

I installed a block heater in my B7510. When I plugged the heater into a GROUND FAULT outlet it would stay on for a few seconds and shut off. I had to go a standard outlet, then things worked fine.

 

[Double 00 Soul]

Rockyridge,

If I leave my B3030 plugged in for 4 hours, I can feel the warmth on my hand when I go to unplug it, don't have to touch the block. I only leave it plugged in now for about two hours. Wouldn't think your L3400 should be much different. I don't believe you mentioned if your machine is outside or in a garage, that could be the difference, mine is in an unheated garage.

 

[Egon]

Campman:

You should be checking your cord and plug in ends to make sure all is well.

 

[simonmeridew]

Rocky:
As was mentioned by someone earlier, when you plug it in you should see and feel a good sized spark in the plug/outlet connection. If you don't it isn't working. There are no moving parts in the system; look for fraying insulation on the little pigtail wiring where it might have worn from something moving against it over the summer, or maybe a sharp stick cutting into and severing a conductor. These things are not rocket science; I have one on my L4400 but never used it; even at zero and below I turn the key to glow plug for 5 seconds and then to start and it hardly even cranks before it starts. Maybe you should make sure that your glow plugs are working properly. I NEVER have to crank more than a second. It starts quicker than my Tundra.
simonmeridew