When do you use your coolant heater system?

[Raw Dodge]

Ford 1910 here,never use it, wastes too much electric, use 5w40 full synthetic oil instead, old tractor fires right up down to -15 f easily with 20 seconds of preheating.

 

[kevin37b]

Block heater is the best thing you can do for that tractor . Like sitting at the campfire .

 

[thcri]

If my tractor sits outside and below 30 degrees F I will use the block heater for a couple of hours before starting. Then I let the tractor run for 15 minutes before I use it. However my tractor normally sits in a heated garage at 60 degrees.

 

[BarnieTrk]

Fellas,
Thanks to everyone who participated in this little questionnaire/survey! :drink::thumbsup:

Of the ten persons who responded:

- It appears that the majority of the respondents do use a soft-plug style block heater with their diesel-powered tractors.
- One respondent voiced using a lower radiator hose heater and another said he just used 5w40 full synthetic oil and with a mere 20 seconds of 'preheating' (I took that to mean he cycled the glow plugs for 20 seconds).

- Most operate their block heater 2 to 3 hours prior to starting when outside temps reach below freezing, 32*F.
- One respondent only ran his block heater for 30 minutes and another has his plugged in continuously in cold weather.

- One respondent indicated he only used a battery warmer rather than an engine coolant heater and a few mentioned they simply keep their tractor in heated (above 50*F) storage.

MY PRACTICE:
I have a diesel-powered work truck (Ford 6.0L PSD) that lives outside. It is most happy if I plug it in when outside temps reach below 30*F. I use a timer on my 25ft. extension cord to allow it two hours of heating prior to my starting it. I still pre-heat its glow plugs for ~15 seconds prior to hitting the starter. It starts much smoother and "rattles" much less if I do use it's OEM block heater in the cooler temps here in mid-Michigan.

Prior to the 6.0L PSD work truck, there was a time when I ran gasoline-powered pickups in the cold. In those, I installed a lower radiator hose heater in each of them (a FORD 390" V-8 and a FORD Ranger 4-cylinder) and they appreciated it! That is when I determined that the heating elements had a limited life span, having to replace them about every 3 years. Then I started using the timer, limiting the "power-on" time on the heating elements. I saw a longer life in the units as a result.

Now this is my first winter with a FORD 1720 4x4 diesel-powered tractor. I noticed that its Owner's Manual states to use the glow plugs for 4 seconds in "cold weather". But "...in cold weather below 23*F..." I should cycle the glow plugs for 10 seconds prior to starting. The manual also references a dealer-installed option, "A coolant immersion heater (block heater) which provides for easier starting in temperatures below 0*F by warming the engine oil and coolant...". This tractor has such a block heater installed. During the next couple of weeks, I plan to do some various timed temperature measurements in an attempt to determine what would be the optimal block heater use time vs. outside conditions. I'll post my findings here to share, if anyone here might be interested in them. Anyone interested?

BarnieTrk :cool2: :steeringwheel:

 

[duroc]

Fellas,
I'll post my findings here to share, if anyone here might be interested in them. Anyone interested?

I'd say, go ahead and post your findings. I'm interested and I'm sure others are too. :thumbsup:

 

[bajabum]

The block heater on my 2004 6.0L PSD eats 1KW an hour, so IF it's going to be super cold AND I'm going to town early, I'll set the Timer (Timer and cord made for this) for two hours earlier.
The truck does start better .
I'm considering getting a pair of battery heater pads too.
I haven't plugged in my tractor yet, but it starts ok well below zero (so far)

 

[BarnieTrk]

The block heater on my 2004 6.0L PSD eats 1KW an hour, so IF it's going to be super cold AND I'm going to town early, I'll set the Timer (Timer and cord made for this) for two hours earlier.
The truck does start better .
I'm considering getting a pair of battery heater pads too.
I haven't plugged in my tractor yet, but it starts ok well below zero (so far)

I'd bet your two diesel tractors would also appreciate getting plugged in when it's at or below 30*F....

My only thoughts on lead/acid battery heaters are NOT to warm the batteries too much or you may evaporate the acid mixture out of them!

If you do get a pair of battery heaters, please come back here and let us all know how you like/dislike them.

BarnieTrk

 

[Looking4new]

When the temps get down to 30F and lower the Kioti gets plugged in for about 4 hours before I even think about starting it. My Jeep gets about 3 hours of block heater if I am going somewhere. If I need to go out earlier than 8:30 in the morning AND the temps are going to be down in the below zero F range then the Jeep gets plugged in over night. Both have manufacturer installed block heaters.

 

[overload]

When the temps get down to 30F and lower the Kioti gets plugged in for about 4 hours before I even think about starting it. My Jeep gets about 3 hours of block heater if I am going somewhere. If I need to go out earlier than 8:30 in the morning AND the temps are going to be down in the below zero F range then the Jeep gets plugged in over night. Both have manufacturer installed block heaters.

Everybody has had some good input. I think it boils down to the fact that anytime you can use a coolant heater it is going to be better for your engine. Using a timer helps conserve on electricity and probably makes the coolant heater element last longer. Block heaters are the best choice, less likely to leak as it ages and the heat is at the core of the motor where it needs to be. I think the longer the heater is plugged in the better chance of the heat getting to the oil in the pan. What do guys think about putting a magnetic heater on the bottom of the transmission? Have you ever noticed when its really cold out how the hydraulic-transmission system makes noises that you normally wouldn't hear? It's never good to let a diesel engine idle for extended periods of time, just bump the throttle up to around 1200rpms and it's better for the motor.

 

[BarnieTrk]

Have you ever noticed when its really cold out how the hydraulic-transmission system makes noises that you normally wouldn't hear?

Hey Fellas,
As you know, I have a new-to-me '89 FORD 1720 tractor. This tractor has a (F/R) shuttle lever and a clutch pedal, no Hydrostatic Transmission (HST).

Now I was thinking - considering what all you guys are doing and what my manual says - When it below 35*F, I will plug in the block heater for at least an hour. I'll activate the glow plugs for a 5-10 seconds, then hit the key to start the engine. Then I'll let the tractor idle @ 1000 RPMS for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Here's my question: Once the tractor starts and smooths out a bit at the 1000 RPMs, say for a minute or so, if I was to remove the PTO cup and then engage the PTO shaft to begin turning, would doing so be helpful in generating some warmth into the hydraulic -transmission system during the remainder of the 10 to 15 minute warm up period? I realize the shaft would not be at 540 RPMs, since the engine RPMs would be much lower than 2238 RPMs, but who cares.... I'm not operating any equipment; just turning the shaft.
Thanks in Advance for sharing your advice and knowledge again, Guys! :drink:
BarnieTrk :cool2: