Block heater?

[jeff408]

Do the inline heaters that fit on the bottom radiator hose work as well as the block heater? It seems like it would be a lot easier to install an inline one. But only if it works anywhere as well as the block heater.

 

[smfcpacfp]

Without knowing what kind of tractor you have, it is hard to say. My Kubota was made to have the block heater installed - an under 5 minute job.

 

[jeff408]

Its a JD 4300

 

[George2615]

I have a KATZ inline lower hose heater. Picked it up at auto parts store and installed very easily. I plug mine into an HD appliance clock timer set for a couple hours before I get out of work so its ready to use when I get home. If left on it tends to run up the electric bill but it will heat the coolant to about 140 degrees F. Going on 5 seasons now using this heater and would recommend it to anyone who doesn't want to mess with a block heater..

 

[smfcpacfp]

I have got to believe that JD would as simple of block heater installation as my Kubota. I would call the local dealer. I think mine was under $50

 

[nap61]

George,
Does you heater circulate the water through the system? I have got to believe that circulating warm/hot water through the system is better/quicker than heating the block from one small area.

Norm

 

[herringchoker]

I've used both types (as well as the type that connects to the heater hose) on various tractors, trucks and cars and all seemed to work equally well. To me the deciding factor is ease of installation for the particular application.

 

[hr3]

"nap" yes they both do..mine taps into the block and returns back to the thermostat..

 

[Pipestone Kid]

Its a JD 4300

I have a JD 4110. Put in the block heater myself. Simple job. 15 minutes at 20 below and the engine spins like a top.

 

[JayCat]

I installed a block heater in one of my tractors. I was told that each water jacket/channel is a little different depending on the engine. The guy that told me about them said that some people rotate them too far and point the element downward and it can contact metal and have some issues. I was advised to make sure it was submerged but not completely downward.

I use a timer on mine and it starts up just like in summer when it's 10 degrees out....

 

[rjbaustian]

I have a JD 5055e and need to install the block heater. The dealer said to pop the frost plug out but I dont know what the frost plug looks like. Anyone have any pictures of this?

 

[Jerry/MT]

Do the inline heaters that fit on the bottom radiator hose work as well as the block heater? It seems like it would be a lot easier to install an inline one. But only if it works anywhere as well as the block heater.

The short answer is no. The core plug blockheaters directly heat the coolant around the cylinders while the rad hose heaters heat the coolant in the lower rad hose. Convection currents will move heat into the radiator where its disipated to the air and some heat will move thru the pump into the block. If you don't have a choice, the rad hose heaters will help but a block heater is better.

The core plug heaters are very easy to install if the core plug is accessible. I put one in my Ford 4610 last year and the longest part of the process was draining the coolant. Knocking out the core plug and placing the blockheater in took 15 minuts and that was after dropping the old core plug into the block and fishing it out.

 

[George2615]

George,
Does you heater circulate the water through the system? I have got to believe that circulating warm/hot water through the system is better/quicker than heating the block from one small area.

Norm

Yes, Since it is mounted in the lower hose and heat rises it circulates as it heats pushing it through the T stat into the radiator.

 

[Jstpssng]

I have a JD 4110. Put in the block heater myself. Simple job. 15 minutes at 20 below and the engine spins like a top.

At 20 below, I don't even start that fast!

 

[Builder]

Block heater is $110 for my Challenger. I wonder if the $35 rad hose heater is enough since I don't exactly live in the artic.

 

[herringchoker]

I had a Ford 4500 backhoe/loader that I used for snow plowing for 17 winters. It sat outside and had a lower radiator hose heater. It never let me down.

 

[Builder]

I had a Ford 4500 backhoe/loader that I used for snow plowing for 17 winters. It sat outside and had a lower radiator hose heater. It never let me down.

Not sure if your Ford 4500 was diesel, but it's funny how some diesels are more cold bloded than others. My DT466 will start in very cold temps without glow plugs, block heater or either. My Case backhoe's diesel hated anything below 40*.

I may just go with the lower rad hose and save the 70-80 bucks.

 

[Deadman]

My JD 2520 started last year when it was 15 F. It started super easy, maybe turned over for 3 seconds. Fired right up at Idle. I let it idle for 10 minutes before I start working it hard.

 

[Builder]

My JD 2520 started last year when it was 15 F. It started super easy, maybe turned over for 3 seconds. Fired right up at Idle. I let it idle for 10 minutes before I start working it hard.

Any starting aid?

 

[herringchoker]

Builder - my 4500 was diesel, and it was not cold-blooded. If it wasn't plugged in during winter, it took a scary number of shots of ether to start it.