Block Heater

[Kubota 2350]

I have a JD installed block heater on my 3046, anyone know how long it takes to heat the engine up once it's plunged in?

 

[beenthere]

No, but pls keep us informed.

And ?, heated up to what? 'til it starts? or 'til the heater shuts off?

 

[Industrial Toys]

It's all physics.

Abient temperature
Block temperature
Size of block
Inside or outside (wind)
Heater watts
Supply Voltage

Give us these details and we can get to arguing how long it's gonna take.

No heater I have ever seen shuts off. That would be good.

Now. Just sayin. Usually 45 minutes for any of my heaters is a good place to start.

 

[oosik]

Your block heater will have a noticeable effect after three or four hours. A lot will depend upon where the tractor is stored and the ambient temperature.

 

[larboc]

No, but pls keep us informed.

And ?, heated up to what? 'til it starts? or 'til the heater shuts off?

I've never seen a block heater that shuts off? Every one I've seen is just a heating element with a cord. 15 amps @120v isn't enough to make enough heat to need a controller IME.

~2 hours. Be careful with timing though, if the GP controller is automatic off of coolant temp then you need to either let it set 2+hours or not at all and just crank. For example my TDI will not cycle the glow plugs at all if I have only had it plugged in for 30 mins so it won't even try to fire up. If I'd left it unplugged it would have probably started with a jump.

 

[Kubota 2350]

I store in inside my unheated barn, left it plugged about 2 hours today and it seems like I got heat in the cab quicker than normal, that is all I was looking for.

As far as helping it start, I've never had any problems with it starting even if below zero.

Wattage of heater is unknown, what ever the dealer installed before they delivered it to me, I do know the heater is a JD part..

Thanks for the help. :thumbsup:

 

[Egon]

Put your hand on the block. If it feels warm you should be good.

 

[4570Man]

I've never seen a block heater that shuts off? Every one I've seen is just a heating element with a cord. 15 amps @120v isn't enough to make enough heat to need a controller IME.

~2 hours. Be careful with timing though, if the GP controller is automatic off of coolant temp then you need to either let it set 2+hours or not at all and just crank. For example my TDI will not cycle the glow plugs at all if I have only had it plugged in for 30 mins so it won't even try to fire up. If I'd left it unplugged it would have probably started with a jump.

My truck wouldn't cycle the glow plugs if the engine was warm. It doesn't like the idea of a no glow plug start either. I fixed the problem by putting a manual button on the plugs.

 

[Phillip w]

On my allis Chalmers 185 and my 730 John Deere I usually give about 2 hours. If it is way zero and colder I give it 3-4 hours. I have pretty good luck with block heaters. Both tractors are parked in an open pole barn/machine shed. Bath tractors have medium to larhe motors that are exposed on both sides. My mf won't start in cold weather, it is a joke. Pretty sad when tractors 40+ years old will start, while a modern mf is worthleas in the cold cause it won't start.

 

[Billrog]

I put mine on a timer to come on at 4 AM that way it has a good 2 hrs. minimum to warm things up but when I start at 3 hrs. I notice the it gets up to temp. much faster for the heater in the backhoe & the tractor starts just like it's been running without using the glow plugs.