When do you use the block heater on the tractor

[rockshaft]

The general recommendation up here is to plug in at 20F or less. This reduces wear & tear at start up.

I have a heavy duty timer hardwired that allows me to select when I want to have our block heaters start up, generally 1-2hours prior to when I expect use.

I don't always adhere to the 20F or less recommendation, probably closer to between 0-10F.

Makes a big difference IMO, and especially with a larger engine, or anything with a large volume of fluid (HST)

 

[bironacad]

The general recommendation up here is to plug in at 20F or less. This reduces wear & tear at start up.

I have a heavy duty timer hardwired that allows me to select when I want to have our block heaters start up, generally 1-2hours prior to when I expect use.

I don't always adhere to the 20F or less recommendation, probably closer to between 0-10F.

Makes a big difference IMO, and especially with a larger engine, or anything with a large volume of fluid (HST)

Pretty much the way I go. My barn is quite a distance from the house and I am only using it for snow blowing so a timer would not work for me it is a walk down and plug in lol I like the idea of a long distance remote. I have turned into a lazy guy it seems.

 

[rockshaft]

Since our primary use for block heaters is for our commuter car in the carport- it comes in really handy to have the timer. The timer is mounted inside my shop, but I could have just as easily wired it inside our house.

The remote starters are nice, but in this case- we'd have to be up at 4-5am to make them useful.

I have thought about a keyless remote for my generator, but we lose power so infrequently I doubt its worth the money.

 

[grsthegreat]

for me with elect running $0.05/1000 watts, plugging in a 250 watt block heater for 2 hours a day on a timer, even if i end up not using the tractor amounts to $0.75/month in electrical expense. so its not worth damaging or potentially damaging my trucks or tractor for that small of a cost. and i only plug it in if it's in the 20F or lower.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have made up several gizmos that I feel are the answer. They are a simple little timer motor with cam acting on a microswitch. I installed a two position switch that allows me to select (in this case) ten minutes on, ten minutes off, or the other way around.

It's ultra simple (no freaking electronics to screw up from a "SURGE" or whatever, usually meaning it was poor quality!) and allows you to put a piece of equipment in a standby mode, without worrying about heating the great outdoors.

You need to let the equipment idle anyway, to get hydraulics and transmissions warmed up, so as long as the machine starts easily, no point making the engine really hot.

Another option I have used, is to get one of those timers that has pins every fifteen minutes around the dial, and then alternate them. But being the typical consumer garbage of today, I am not sure how long this would last.

 

[buickanddeere]

Anything near or below freezing.

 

[daveinnh]

Typically plug a Kubota L4310 HST in when temps go below 10 deg. and snow is forecast.

 

[buickanddeere]

40F and lower. If it's takes extra turns to start and runs rough. It needed pre-heating.

 

[Canada_CT230]

I always plug in anywhere near or below freezing. Sure the engine will start at many temps but the engine damage done during a cold start is phenomenal. I worked with many airplane engines and without warm starts during the winters the engines lasted to about 2000 hrs. With oil heat pads on them they lasted for over 3000 hrs.

Well worth it and saves huge engine wear.

 

[bironacad]

I always plug in anywhere near or below freezing. Sure the engine will start at many temps but the engine damage done during a cold start is phenomenal. I worked with many airplane engines and without warm starts during the winters the engines lasted to about 2000 hrs. With oil heat pads on them they lasted for over 3000 hrs.

Well worth it and saves huge engine wear.

I like this answer Ok block heater when cold, which according to this thread is relative

 

[OrangeToys]

Does a block heater heat the oil in a HST too? Or what would i need?

 

[dclynch]

What type of heater does evryone use? I had a in line heater on the bottom radiator hose, but am thinking of a oil heated dipstick. The reason being I had to replace my radiator and the new one wouldnt allow for the adding of the heater the hose is too short.

 

[JoeBuyer]

Does a block heater heat the oil in a HST too? Or what would i need?

You can attach a magnetic block heater(s) anywhere it will stick. Not as good as a real block heater, but much more versatile.

 

[90cummins]

If I have a routine such as going to work and the temp is 30 deg or so I will have my timer go on 1 hour before I need to go to work. My diesels start good but the 1 hour warm-up is much easier on the engine, starter & battery, it also gives me heat as soon as I start for defrosting the windows. In extreme cold I will preheat 3, 4 or more hours and run out to start it and set a high idle so the windows are defrosted when I need to leave.
I have found that if I leave the heater controls in defrost convection will circulate air through the warm heater core to partially defrost the window.
The tractor is different with no schedule but if I know I知 going to need the tractor for snow removal I will plug it in or put it on a timer also.

 

[mrutkaus]

I only got my CK30H in 2005, but up till then it got cold (zero or minus 2 F) here in NW VA.

I put in a lower radiator hose heater from Tractor Supply and used it several times.

Around that time, it started getting warmer around here, now it hardly ever goesbelow 20F and usually not that. I haven't used the heater for 3 or 4 years.

Mike

 

[Turbys_1700]

I never use a block heater on my tractor here in NC...
We only get a month of cold weather and the few times it does get in the teens the tractor is in the shed...
I do have a factory installed block heater on my Powerstroke and I do use it some in the winter when it is around freezing...
The block heater I have heats the water with a 1500 watt element...
I think that the stated time for getting the water up to a good starting temperature is around 2 hours or so...
I went to Lowes and purchased an outdoor timer set to come on about two hours before I typically leave in the winter to preheat my coolant...
It works really well but I have to reset the timer in it every winter...

 

[Wyobuckaroo]

My old JD 855 stays in the garage. I use the block heater any time there is frost on the pickup windows............

I use a programmable timer to run for 2 hours before the usual time I get out to use the tractor.

Good luck

 

[m7040]

on the RTV we use the glued on electrical pads to the engine sump and the Transmission oil sump

 

[buickanddeere]

What type of heater does evryone use? I had a in line heater on the bottom radiator hose, but am thinking of a oil heated dipstick. The reason being I had to replace my radiator and the new one wouldnt allow for the adding of the heater the hose is too short.

A heated dip stick is of little use unless the engine is small and kept indoors out of the wind. The small surface area of a dipstick limits the max watts that can be used without charring the oil.
Use a real synthetic, not a treated mineral motor oil. And a proper water jacket heater.
We use the heaters " even if the engine will start" without pre-heating.
The warmed engine reduces starter , battery and charging system wear. Reduces engine wear and doesn't waste fuel idling to warm up. Instant heat on the window defroster too for safety and drivability.

 

[buickanddeere]

What type of heater does evryone use? I had a in line heater on the bottom radiator hose, but am thinking of a oil heated dipstick. The reason being I had to replace my radiator and the new one wouldnt allow for the adding of the heater the hose is too short.

A heated dip stick is of little use unless the engine is small and kept indoors out of the wind. The small surface area of a dipstick limits the max watts that can be used without charring the oil.
Use a real synthetic, not a treated mineral motor oil. And a proper water jacket heater.
We use the heaters " even if the engine will start" without pre-heating.
The warmed engine reduces starter , battery and charging system wear. Reduces engine wear and doesn't waste fuel idling to warm up. Instant heat on the window defroster too for safety and drivability.