Kubota RTV Block Heater ?

[Ductape]

I've tried doing a couple searches, but came up empty. Has anyone done an install on an electric block heater on a 900 or 1100 RTV? I'm wondering if it threads into an existing hole, requires a freeze plug to be removed, or.......??

Trying to help a friend who is looking to do the install himself instead of hauling his RTV an hour each way to the dealer.

Also..... if anyone knows the part number for the heater itself, i'd appreciate it.

I assume its probably been covered here in the past, so if theres already a thread on it, please send me in that direction.


Thanks !

 

[zeuspaul]

Have you looked at oil pan heaters

Kats
Amazon.com: Kats 24050 50 Watt 2"x 5" Universal Hot Pad Heater: Swiss Army: Automotive

Wolverine
Wolverine Engine Oil Heaters

 

[stuckinnj]

KATS is the the easiest and most non intrusive heater available. You can use them on both the engine oil and trans sump. Below is the manufactures web site. I've spoken to this guys. Good folks, family owned and they use RTV's on their farm. Home

 

[Ductape]

He has already ordered the Kubota block heater. I was just hoping to find out of it threads in, as some do, or if its a freeze plug type heater. If it doesn't look like too much of a job, i'm hoping he can avoid trailering it to the dealer. I'm surprised no one here has installed one.

 

[Kanook]

I installed a block heater a few weeks back..took about 10 minutes. The frost plug "pops" out (not threaded) and the block heater is tapped into place (not screwed). Instructions come with the Kubota block heater.

Caution...when removing the frost plug tap it at one edge in order to get it to start to Rotate until it can be gripped with a pair of pliers to pull it out. Unless you are cautious, you cal tap the plug right into the engine hear....NOT A GOOD THING.

 

[ayelvington]

I installed a block heater a few weeks back..took about 10 minutes. The frost plug "pops" out (not threaded) and the block heater is tapped into place (not screwed). Instructions come with the Kubota block heater.

Caution...when removing the frost plug tap it at one edge in order to get it to start to Rotate until it can be gripped with a pair of pliers to pull it out. Unless you are cautious, you cal tap the plug right into the engine hear....NOT A GOOD THING.

No doubt the RTV900 block heater is easy to install, but it's worthless! It sits at the highest point of the engine and does nothing to warm up the other 90%. It's a waste of $100.

Get a lower radiator hose heater, or find something to stick to the oil pan. I'm very unhappy with the stock block heater and would send it back if I could plug the hole up!

 

[Kanook]

No doubt the RTV900 block heater is easy to install, but it's worthless! It sits at the highest point of the engine and does nothing to warm up the other 90%. It's a waste of $100.

Get a lower radiator hose heater, or find something to stick to the oil pan. I'm very unhappy with the stock block heater and would send it back if I could plug the hole up!

Well. It was -10f this morning. Plugged in the block heater for an hour and the RTV started right up and even had a little heat coming from the heater in the cab. The block heater works fine for me.

 

[sdkubota]

I used to be involved with a heavy equipment company with many large diesels. Hands down the block heaters worked the best in sub-zero weather. They do need a couple of hours to warm things up. I would not install any other type of heater in anything I own.

 

[DianneInVA]

I have a RTV 900, no heater. Its been -20 and below. Will an electric blanket or heating pad help at all? Thanks

 

[Peter 315]

I have a RTV 900, no heater. Its been -20 and below. Will an electric blanket or heating pad help at all? Thanks

I don't think so

 

[DianneInVA]

How about a jump starter. I have a GOOLOO power bank. Or a trickle charge? I have one of those around here, too! Maybe I just need to buy a shed heater.

 

[Peter 315]

How about a jump starter. I have a GOOLOO power bank. Or a trickle charge? I have one of those around here, too! Maybe I just need to buy a shed heater. View attachment 533565

Battery minder would not hurt, about 50$ on amazon

 

[DianneInVA]

Thanks, Battery minder looks a lot like the trickle charge I have; I will hook it up tomorrow.. It is just a COLD winter. Appreciate the feedback

 

[John_Mc]

I have a RTV 900, no heater. Its been -20 and below. Will an electric blanket or heating pad help at all? Thanks

Yes, that trick is often used to preheat air-cooled piston-engine aircraft engines. A common one is to put an incandescent trouble light inside the cowling, and throw an old blanket or sleeping bag over it to help hold in the heat. The incandescent light alone would take several hours to preheat the engine. A heavy blanket or sleeping bag over it would cut the time significantly, and help with more uniform heating. If you can't fit it inside your engine cowling, putting it underneath and draping the blanket to hold in the heat in will work.

Really, any source of heat will help, but you need to be aware of not overheating - it can damage the paint (or coke the oil if applied to the oil pan). An electric blanket will also work as a heat source, but you may want to throw something insulating over it to help keep the heat in, rather than radiating it out into the air. I've seen people rig ducting to electric heaters or gas heaters to blow warm air into the engine compartment. Many rural airports have an engine preheater available. The better aircraft preheating systems have a heat pad that glues on to the oil pan, and a method for preheating each cylinder - that allows faster preheating, but may be overkill in your situation.

 

[rtv9001]

I'm looking to get a block heater for my rtv900 as well. Mine will start, but it is darn tough when it's teens or lower and I just hate cranking it forever.
I had an older rtv in the past with a block heater and it worked magic. Now I can't remember if it pushed into a freeze plug or threaded in.

 

[DianneInVA]

I got it started yesterday, it was +6F/-14.4C. Probably wont start again today, as it is around -20F today. I have a block heater on the tractor: This is the first year I have had to use it. Cold every day... and very cold at night.