Block Heater Question???

   / Block Heater Question??? #51  
My 2 cents on topic - I'd use a heater any time I could for at least a couple of hours before using the machine when it's cold out (below 20 F). It can only help. Don't know about using it and then not starting the machine, I just don't do that. BTW, I have the JD factory block heater on my 2520 but I'm thinking it sure wouldn't hurt to protect the pumps and tranny with some heat too. So I'm planning to install a tranny heater but I know I can get one cheaper than the JD. The JD heater is just a screw in heating element that goes into one of the holes in the back of the tranny near the sight level window. It literally gets bathed in oil. A suitable one can be bought from any industrial supply like Grainger for way cheaper than JD gets. In the next month or two I'm going to find a direct replacement and I'll let post about it, unless someone else finds one first. This has got to be better than any magnetic or glue on heater and I bet they can be had cheaper by going this route.
 
   / Block Heater Question??? #52  
...So I'm planning to install a tranny heater but I know I can get one cheaper than the JD. The JD heater is just a screw in heating element that goes into one of the holes in the back of the tranny near the sight level window. It literally gets bathed in oil...

I looked at some immersion type oil heaters for the hydraulic oil on my tractor. The ones I looked at all cautioned that the heater should only be used to keep warm oil warm and should not be used in cold oil to prevent potential damage to both the heater and the fluid. That would mean leaving the oil heater plugged in all the time when the tractor was not in use. I decided against installing one.
 
   / Block Heater Question??? #53  
Mechanos,

I just pulled out the plug from the JD AR87167 Box that I purchased today for $75.19. I did a search on the internet and found one with the same embossed Part Number Heating Element 115V 500W CLR 1843 CLR1843 NEW See Pics | eBay

Although the same Part Number on the top where the plug-in is, here are some differences as compared to the one in the auction. The "11568" in the 3rd picture (from the top) is not on my part; In the 5th picture mine is stamped with "115 V - 400 W"; Compared to the 6th picture my length is 1-7/8" and lastly, as compared to picture # 7, my PN is 1-1/2". I suspect the shorter heating element is why it's only rated at 400W vs. the 500W of the part in the auction. I didn't spend any time looking to see who the manufacturer was, their logo is clear in the 4th picture, i.e., CSA a Canadian Firm.
 
   / Block Heater Question??? #55  
chipsndust,

Great insight, :thumbsup: as I said I didn't spend any time looking to see who the manufacturer was, perhaps I should have said "entity" instead of manufacturer, my mistake and good catch though as I'm not aware of the Canadian quality specs, etc. :eek:
 
   / Block Heater Question??? #56  
Mechanos,

I just pulled out the plug from the JD AR87167 Box that I purchased today for $75.19. I did a search on the internet and found one with the same embossed Part Number Heating Element 115V 500W CLR 1843 CLR1843 NEW See Pics | eBay

Although the same Part Number on the top where the plug-in is, here are some differences as compared to the one in the auction. The "11568" in the 3rd picture (from the top) is not on my part; In the 5th picture mine is stamped with "115 V - 400 W"; Compared to the 6th picture my length is 1-7/8" and lastly, as compared to picture # 7, my PN is 1-1/2". I suspect the shorter heating element is why it's only rated at 400W vs. the 500W of the part in the auction. I didn't spend any time looking to see who the manufacturer was, their logo is clear in the 4th picture, i.e., CSA a Canadian Firm.

I was just curious since it looks identical to the ZeroStart block heater I bought for my 955. JD heater was $80... ZeroStart was $36. I have since found them even cheaper listed on Amazon.
 
   / Block Heater Question??? #57  
Tractor Pilot,

I was about to post a question and your Thumbnail answered it for me, that is, "WHAT HOLE" does it go in and I see it's the left threaded plug. The JD Parts Catalog Illustration of the PN: AR87167 doesn't reflect the mounting area on your engine or mine on a Yanmar 3TNV82A. A couple of question for you please: Did you drain all the coolant out first before removing the engine plug ? Do you remember what size the tool was to get the Plug out, and lastly, was it hard getting the plug out since I'm limited on tools and that rigid pipe's elbow that is right there, etc.....

Mechanos said:
TP... is that the block heater from JD? or did you buy it aftermarket?

I purchased the block heater from John Deere in December 2010. It was PN:AR87167 for the Yanmar 3TN82-RJK engine in my JD770. I tried to find an aftermarket on the internet but wasn't 100% sure any would fit my specific engine so I just purchased it from JD for $80 (heater & cord) to save myself some potential grief.

I used a 1/2" drive ratchet and extention along with a 3' breaker bar to remove the threaded plug. If you notice from the pictures, the 1/2" drive fits directly into the plug. I was lucky - my plug broke lose with only slight pressure on the breaker bar. Some plugs are really hard to break loose even if the tractor is new.

There was enough room (barely) to remove the plug and install the block heater without removing the hydraulic line. I didn't drain all the coolant - I just removed the plug and let the coolant drain down to that level in the block. I captured the coolant in a 5 gallon bucket and poured it back into the radiator (using a clean t-shirt for a filter) after the block heater was installed. Don't forget to use a sealant on the threads of the block heater before you install. I had to use a wrench to tighten down the block heater instead of a socket because of the hydraulic line. It was tight, but it worked.

Bruce
 

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   / Block Heater Question??? #58  
Mechanos,

I just pulled out the plug from the JD AR87167 Box that I purchased today for $75.19. I did a search on the internet and found one with the same embossed Part Number Heating Element 115V 500W CLR 1843 CLR1843 NEW See Pics | eBay

Although the same Part Number on the top where the plug-in is, here are some differences as compared to the one in the auction. The "11568" in the 3rd picture (from the top) is not on my part; In the 5th picture mine is stamped with "115 V - 400 W"; Compared to the 6th picture my length is 1-7/8" and lastly, as compared to picture # 7, my PN is 1-1/2". I suspect the shorter heating element is why it's only rated at 400W vs. the 500W of the part in the auction. I didn't spend any time looking to see who the manufacturer was, their logo is clear in the 4th picture, i.e., CSA a Canadian Firm.


When I looked into my block after removing my plug - there was not a lot of room in there. If the aftermarket block heater element is longer than the JD block heater element, you may not be able to screw the block heater down all the way before the element bottoms out. If that happens, it's game over.
 
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   / Block Heater Question??? #59  
On my 4120, I use the block-heater for around 1/2 hour when it is below 50 deg F and at least an hour when it is below 32. I have never left it plugged in more than 3 hours. That engine does start without the heater, but it really sounds bad for several minutes when it is real cold. Bad sound means more wear occurring inside the engine. Seeing how I expect to own this tractor a long time, the only time I start it cold without using the block-heater is in an emergency of some kind. With the block-heater use, as described, it actually sounds smoother starting in the dead of winter as it does in mid-summer. That has got to add considerable time to the engine's life.

I am in full agreement here. If you have it, use it. Diesels fire how? By relying on a high compression ratio to provide enough heat to "light" the fuel mixture, right? No spark plugs to provide that heat. Glow plugs? Yup, awesome, use 'em. They give a quick shot of heat into the cylinders to help out, but why not add that additional heat if you can to the whole block? 0 degrees or 60 degrees, it's gonna start easier and save you some wear if you plug it in for a while vs. not doing so.
 
   / Block Heater Question??? #60  
Tractor Pilot,

Thanks for the information, I did figure the 1/2" Breaker Bar end into the plug however this one is going to give me a run for the money so-to-speak, my 790 is an '04 and it's frozen. With regards to installing the Heater Plug, I noticed it would take a 36MM socket that wouldn't fit into that tight space, did you use an adjustable plyer to hand tighten it as much as possible after applying the thread sealent? Good info on the coolant.

Looking at Mechanos's post - I did try to find another source for the Heater Plug and contacted Phillips and Temro Industries after reading some old posts, their part number 3100003 looked close but they responded: "We make the parts specifically for John Deere and they are not offered in the aftermarket catalogue". Can you share with us the ZeroStart Part or Model Number.

For those 2210 Owners I did find this installation procedure out there Installing Block Heater For John Deere 2210
 

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