Block Heater Question???

[foggy1111]

The question I posed was hypothetical.....and I have no experience to substantiate. But....when its really cold and you repeatably warm that engine.....I gotta beleive that as the heat is turned off you are going to draw some moisture to the cooling surfaces (like the cylinder walls).

Do that repeatably for a few weeks.....and it could pose problems? This would be the "real" situation for me and how I use my tractor up at my deer land. VERY infrequently. In my case it likely would be better to plug it in an hour or so before I need to use it.....allthough I would like to use the timer set-up.

Perhaps those surfaces dont get warm enough with a block heater?.....but when you get super cold temps (like -20 / -30) moisture forms quickly. I really dont know the answers....but it's something to consider.

 

[grsthegreat]

well i guess thats possible, but the same could be said for starting the tractor. It also warms it all up. Not sure though. Like i said i did this to my old JD for 14 winters without an issue.

 

[wolc123]

On my 4120, I use the block-heater for around 1/2 hour when it is below 50 deg F and at least an hour when it is below 32. I have never left it plugged in more than 3 hours. That engine does start without the heater, but it really sounds bad for several minutes when it is real cold. Bad sound means more wear occurring inside the engine. Seeing how I expect to own this tractor a long time, the only time I start it cold without using the block-heater is in an emergency of some kind. With the block-heater use, as described, it actually sounds smoother starting in the dead of winter as it does in mid-summer. That has got to add considerable time to the engine's life.

 

[JB4310]

On my 4120, I use the block-heater for around 1/2 hour when it is below 50 deg F and at least an hour when it is below 32. I have never left it plugged in more than 3 hours. That engine does start without the heater, but it really sounds bad for several minutes when it is real cold. Bad sound means more wear occurring inside the engine. Seeing how I expect to own this tractor a long time, the only time I start it cold without using the block-heater is in an emergency of some kind. With the block-heater use, as described, it actually sounds smoother starting in the dead of winter as it does in mid-summer. That has got to add considerable time to the engine's life.

I'm sure it could, and I agree it is good to use the block heater even if the tractor will start without it.

But 50 degrees? That's balmy around here

I only consider plugging in mine below 20 degrees. even with cold starts I don't notice much different sound during warm up.

JB

 

[smalltown]

I am certailnly no mechanic, but I have to agree with wolc123 in the sense that most engine wear happens on start up especially in cold conditions. My 2520 has the direct injection and I imagine it would start all winter without a block heater. I just imagine it would be less engine wear over the long term with a block heater.

 

[wolc123]

If you are going to update every few years, it aint going to make much difference for you. If you plan on 40 years or more out of your tractor like I do, you might want to make a little more use out of your block heater.

 

[Gobblin Tom]

I am going w/o a heater in Michigan on my JD4410 but plan to have alternatives if super cold. Usually if zero or below we get very little snow. But if it should happen I could plug in a ceramic heater and point it up from down under the tractor with a old blanket over the hood. I do not believe it will be necessary. I could convince my wife that it is an emergency and park in her spot in the garage attached to the house, it stays warm. That might put me in the dog house or the barn for awhile and I could sleep with my tractor! The barn has beds and wood stove but in the cold it would be miserable.

That's funny my truck sits in a stall, my quad and mower deck sits in the middle stall and the 2520 sits in the 3rd stall. My wifes car sits outside.....

 

[grsthegreat]

I have a neighbor that INSISTS that plugging in his tractor would be a waste of $$$, but he does plug in his diesel truck. He insists that its not the same thing.

 

[Gobblin Tom]

I have a neighbor that INSISTS that plugging in his tractor would be a waste of $$$, but he does plug in his diesel truck. He insists that its not the same thing.

You should tell him to join the forum and explain the difference between the two??? I'm just going to guess because one is more expensive than the other.... (Maybe)

 

[PILOON]

I wonder about the repeated use of a block heater or tranny heater on a timer in super-cold (below zero) weather.

Say for example.....if you had the heater come on for an hour each day....but never fired up the tractor over a two week period during severe cold. Would you be making moisture problems?

Just using the tractor, even if rarely, will heat up the oil and literally boil out any moisture that might accumulate.
Also to remember every time you shut down a nice film of oil remains on all internal parts, (on older engins even external parts get oiled, LOL)
I would not be concerned unless you perhaps had heater on 24/24 7 days/wk and never used the tractor for months on end.aturally your hydro bill would remind you in case you forgot.