At what temp do you use your block heater (of any kind)

[themichelob]

Andy in Iowa---I love it!!!! I suppose you also do a monthly oil change on both your units because it's "cheap insurance" to "protect your investment." Never mind our investment in our one earth and our children and grandchildrens future. We love the fact that the oil producing nations got us by the b---s!!!! Go ahead guys--pile on.....
Regards, Mike

 

[cp1969]

I leave our tractor running 24/7 regardless of temperature so its ready. I also have a second BX that sits beside the first BX. Its left running as well. In case one tractor stops, the other is still ready to go...

I keep both tractors in a heated building at 112ｰ, and have the exhaust from each tractor ported through custom heat exchangers to heat the other tractor's crankcase and hydraulic oil reservoir.

I've also considered adding a special hot oil exchanger to keep the oil at 165ｰ.

The glow plugs are ALWAYS on.

Anything I'm missing?

IowaAndy


PS - I only use white Power Service for fuel. I don't even waste time with diesel, which might gel up and leave me stranded. In the summer I use grey, but only in a 50/50 blend with the white.

YESSS!!!!! Now we're gettin' somewhere.

 

[frank_miller]

Synthetic oil is not a substitute for a block heater. One of the main reasons to use a block heater is to warm the combustion chamber surfaces so they don't suck all the heat of compression out before the engine can fire. This is especially important for older engines whose compression is down or for turbo engines whose base compression ratio is in the high teens instead of mid twenties like most non-turbo'd diesels.

I disagree. So now I need to buy another item to heat some dino oil? When I could just spent a little more get a better oil with a better pumping properties, along with better oil specs and never plug in?

I tried a heater and the initial expense, plus the watts per hours, un-plugging etc. Not worth the time and effort here.

Plus some heaters do not heat the block, they only heat pan etc. I have not needed a heater in my area in years. Down to -20 F and never will. Not worth it as I stated.

 

[cp1969]

I said 'block' heater. That implies the coolant is heated, not the pan.

No one cares whether you use one or not; that is your decision. The info was posted for others so that they might know that synthetic oil is not a substitute for a block heater. Synthetic oil may do wonderful things but it can't warm a combustion chamber.

 

[frank_miller]

I said 'block' heater. That implies the coolant is heated, not the pan.

No one cares whether you use one or not; that is your decision. The info was posted for others so that they might know that synthetic oil is not a substitute for a block heater. Synthetic oil may do wonderful things but it can't warm a combustion chamber.

Correct and no one cares on many postes. Based on pumping temps, and my using them, syntheic oil IS a substitute for a heater above -20 F.

If you glow plugs etc are running correct, you are wasting money on a heater.

 

[cp1969]

Conversely, I chose to spend money once on a block heater, instead of wasting money on synthetic oil.

To each his own. Enjoy your -20F starts with synthetic.

 

[Botabill]

I'd like to hear from folks that are in the cold zones whether synthetic replaces block pan etc. heaters. I'd really like to get rid of the pan and block heaters but my experience has been they are really necessary on the cold days in mid Ontario Canada. Where do you hang your hat frank_miller?

Bill

 

[frank_miller]

I am in upstate MA; near NH. I had the the block heater that Kubota sold; hated it and not worth the time etc. Add then I used one that you put onto oil pan (red in color). That was worse.

For me the Amsoil 5w-30 made a huge diff. I did use there 15w-40 and worked ok down to like -5F. It did start okay, but the 5w-30 was much better (based on the ear test).

 

[DesertRose]

I live in Eastern Utah at an elevation of about 5500'. The temperatures in January can often fall below -20F. I have used block heaters for many years on my diesel trucks and even gas engines. I never considered a block heater as a tool to enable me to start an engine in cold weather. I have always considered a block heater as preventive maintenance. It keeps the oil warmer than it would have been if no heater was used. Warmer oil flows easier than cold oil. I don't care if it's synthetic or dino oil. It flows better when it's warm.

I just bought my first Kubota tractor and I am sure I could go out and start it even if the temperature was -20F but if I did I know I could hear the difference between a cold start and a start after using the block heater. That banging and clanging noise after a cold start bothers me. To me it sounds like the engine is oil starved. I don't like that sound! But when I start an engine after a hour or more of letting a block heater work I don't hear that sound.
I have no doubt that my tractor can start in very cold weather without a block heater but for me I'm not sure if I should start it without using the block heater first.

I don't have any facts to back up my feelings. I just feel better warming up the engine before starting it in cold weather. If you feel better starting your engine in cold weather on the first crank without a block or pan heater that's OK too. No matter what you say you won't change my mind and I doubt I can talk you into plugging in a block heater if all you care about is if it WILL start in cold weather.

Tom

 

[ccsial]

Most newer tractors start pretty good in cold. My old 1910 won't start at 0F or lower unless it is plugged in. I WON'T use ether.

I run Delvac One in all three tractors but I plug them all in too. If nothing else it is easier on the battery since they start instantly. I can afford the 50 cents and 10 seconds it takes to do it. For me, it's the only way to go.