Block Heater Question

Charlton John · Feb 1, 2009

Just an update, single digits yesterday here so I plugged in the heater and used for first time. Left on for about 2.5 hrs. Glow plug for 10 secs and this thing started up like summer time! As others mentioned I did surely feel heat coming from heater about 1 minute after I turned it on so I knew it worked. This is the 3rd time I used tractor this winter and the other 2 times it started on first try w/ just glow plugs but started rough, not this time. I will be sure to use the heater more ofter, thanks for the replys!

john_bud · Feb 1, 2009

One important point!! Just because the engine is warm, don't assume the transmission and hydraulics are warm too! They aren't. You will still need to warm up the tractor even though the engine is toasty. At -0F do 5 min with the clutch peddle dogged down (for hst transmissions) and then 5 min with the clutch up. Add 5 min for each 10F it drops from 0F. That will be a decent starting point, if it is still having a slow loader, moaning hydraulics or loud whining from the hst add more time.

jb

pat32rf · Feb 1, 2009

I'm a retired electrician who spent the last 15 yrs of work repairing various types of big electric heaters, from 500 watts up to 4 megawatts.
A few years ago at a yard sale I found a plug in amp meter that someone had made with a dial that runs up to 30 amps.
My tractor sits outside the front door and has two antifreeze heaters, plus a battery warmer. Total current of 11 amps. That is until this winter when one heater burnt out. Now it is only 6 amps. The meter hangs on a nail in the front porch, is fed from a switched outlet (switch inside) with a cord to the tractor, and takes all the guess work out as I can glance at the needle and know!!! (Some of the cords with lights only show that there is power to the cord)
Mine is the ultimate system now quit chur bitchin!!!

Charlton John · Feb 2, 2009

john_bud said:
One important point!! Just because the engine is warm, don't assume the transmission and hydraulics are warm too! They aren't. You will still need to warm up the tractor even though the engine is toasty. At -0F do 5 min with the clutch peddle dogged down (for hst transmissions) and then 5 min with the clutch up. Add 5 min for each 10F it drops from 0F. That will be a decent starting point, if it is still having a slow loader, moaning hydraulics or loud whining from the hst add more time.

jb

Thanks John, Great advice! I did let it warm up (run) for about 10 minutes also. I keep the clutch depressed upon storage so I had this part covered. I also took it very slow the first few minutes doing nothing really but working the FEL controls to get the juices flowing, thanks to all for the advice!