GC1705 block heater question

[weeder]

I have a 2017 1705 that I bought this past summer it came with a block heater. This tractor stays in my garage all the time unless I am using it. The coldest I have ever seen it in my garage in the winter is 40 degrees. I was wondering if I should plug the block heater in when it is in there not being used.

 

[ray66v]

Those heaters are not designed for continuous use.

If it never gets below 40F, I wouldn't even worry about it. It should start fine without it.

When it's cold, you may find you need to open the throttle a little, (usually 1/8 to 1/4), before you crank it to compensate for the thicker air.

 

[Dmacleo]

Those heaters are not designed for continuous use.

If it never gets below 40F, I wouldn't even worry about it. It should start fine without it.

When it's cold, you may find you need to open the throttle a little, (usually 1/8 to 1/4), before you crank it to compensate for the thicker air.

this.

 

[Egon]

Block heaters will work in continuous duty.

Lots of misinformation surrounding block heaters!

 

[Dmacleo]

Block heaters will work in continuous duty.

Lots of misinformation surrounding block heaters!

what massey scut do you use?
the actual heater install instructions for the GC series say NOT keep plugged in as they will burn out.

 

[hube2]

If it never gets below 40F, I wouldn't even worry about it. It should start fine without it.

While I agree with this, you'll find that it will still start easier if you run it for 15 minutes or so even when the temp is above freezing.

Block heaters will work in continuous duty.

Yeah, you could, but why would you, unless you're antifreeze/coolant is useless. The elements in these things only have so many hours of life in them. Using them more than needed just means you'll be replacing it sooner.

 

[RjCorazza]

I wouldn't bother with a block heater at 40 deg f.
When I do turn it on, it's on a WiFi controlled plug for 3-4 hours prior to use.
I suspect that they could be run continuous, but for my purposes that would be useless and unnecessarily expensive to run 400 watts over an extended period of time.

 

[ray66v]

While I agree with this, you'll find that it will still start easier if you run it for 15 minutes or so even when the temp is above freezing.

How "easy" it starts has much to do with technique, and things like fuel quality, battery condition, and glow plug condition.

If it needs help starting easily at 40F, there is likely a deficiency somewhere.

As I have said, mine starts right up, even in single digit temperatures.

 

[Dmacleo]

I'm (now I replaced glow plugs) good down to 5 or so deg as long as its not at that temp more than 10 hours.
but may still use block heater for 30 or so minutes while cleaning off cars even if in the teens.

 

[hube2]

"Easier" is relative term. Easier to me means that the engine turns less before it fires up, no matter how much less that might be.

Last year I was away from the house and when I got home I had to leave the family in the car, trudge through the snow, get my gear on and clear the driveway enough to get the car in as quickly as possible. The temp was in the single digits. I was not about to spend extra time to warm it up with the heater. I think that most people would have said that it started right up, but I could tell the difference.

 

[not2old]

when mine was left outside and the temperature just below freezing, 1/2 hour on the heater was enough to start it but not easily. If on for an hour, it would start like it was summertime without the glow plugs. A new Optima battery also made a big difference. It's inside now, but still unheated and I easily started it at about freezing with no heat and a minute of glow plugs.

 

[ray66v]

I am much more concerned about heating the 4.5 gallons of hydraulic fluid.

The extended warm up times in the manual suggest that's a much bigger concern.

I have a silicone pad heater on the bottom of the transmission. If a big storm is forecast, I plug in the heater a couple of days ahead of time. The heater is only 150 watts, so it's never going to over heat that much oil, no matter how long it is on. It does keep it from getting cold soaked, which allows it to come up to operating temperature fast.

 

[hube2]

I am much more concerned about heating the 4.5 gallons of hydraulic fluid.

The extended warm up times in the manual suggest that's a much bigger concern.

I have a silicone pad heater on the bottom of the transmission. If a big storm is forecast, I plug in the heater a couple of days ahead of time. The heater is only 150 watts, so it's never going to over heat that much oil, no matter how long it is on. It does keep it from getting cold soaked, which allows it to come up to operating temperature fast.

I am also more concerned with the hydraulic fluid for the same reason. I also have a pad on my transmission, mine is 250w. I don't know how much it helps. It would be nice to know if it was helping but I have not found any way to tell. With the block heater I can feel the top of the engine and feel that it is warm, but the aluminum transmission always feels cool. Aluminum is a good conductor of heat so in my mind I believe the heat is getting to the fluid on the inside in the area were the pad is attached.

 

[Egon]

what massey scut do you use?
the actual heater install instructions for the GC series say NOT keep plugged in as they will burn out.

Used to live in an area of cold temperatures where block heaters were used.

 

[Dmacleo]

I am much more concerned about heating the 4.5 gallons of hydraulic fluid.

The extended warm up times in the manual suggest that's a much bigger concern.

I have a silicone pad heater on the bottom of the transmission. If a big storm is forecast, I plug in the heater a couple of days ahead of time. The heater is only 150 watts, so it's never going to over heat that much oil, no matter how long it is on. It does keep it from getting cold soaked, which allows it to come up to operating temperature fast.

gonna do similar next year, was finance issue this year.
so let it run many moments before moving.

 

[ray66v]

I am also more concerned with the hydraulic fluid for the same reason. I also have a pad on my transmission, mine is 250w. I don't know how much it helps. It would be nice to know if it was helping but I have not found any way to tell. With the block heater I can feel the top of the engine and feel that it is warm, but the aluminum transmission always feels cool. Aluminum is a good conductor of heat so in my mind I believe the heat is getting to the fluid on the inside in the area were the pad is attached.

I can feel a difference in the temperature of the housing when it has been running a couple of days. It's warm on the bottom, and you can feel it is warmer than the unheated areas, as you move your hand up.

If the bottom is warm, it's only going to warm the rest.

You could do some testing with an infrared thermometer. The temperature of the housing should reflect the temperature of the oil. For and accurate assessment, try and have the same ambient temperature in the room, and mark the spots on the housing to accurately measure for the difference.

I have never had the time, but I may this winter.

 

[hube2]

gonna do similar next year, was finance issue this year.
so let it run many moments before moving.

I don't know what size you're interested in, but I went with this on because it has comes with a 3m backing, just peel and stick. It is also a bit larger than the one @ray66v used and would not fit where he had his. I'm pretty sure that some post in the past by ray is what caused me to get the pad heater. If I remember the next time I'm out I'll snap a pic of where I put mine.

Amazon.com

 

[ray66v]

gonna do similar next year, was finance issue this year.
so let it run many moments before moving.

This is clearly, not a high end version, but it's certainly not a cost problem: Amazon.com

The high end ones are getting a little pricey, but I have some of these cheap ones on my satellite dish, and they seem to work fine.

 

[Dmacleo]

I don't know what size you're interested in, but I went with this on because it has comes with a 3m backing, just peel and stick. It is also a bit larger than the one @ray66v used and would not fit where he had his. I'm pretty sure that some post in the past by ray is what caused me to get the pad heater. If I remember the next time I'm out I'll snap a pic of where I put mine.

Amazon.com

thats one I had saved in my amazon list. been wondering about placement would appreciate pic

 

[Rockbadchild]

Don't keep it constantly plug in waste of money and you could burn your block heater or extension cord ect, but you could plug it in 1 or 2 hours before starting it up, it would warm up quicker but at that temperature depending on what kind of oil you have in it you probably don't have too.