dex3361
Elite Member
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2008
- Messages
- 3,551
- Location
- N. of Charleston WV
- Tractor
- Kubota L4400-1 HST,FEL, 3x3 remotes, TNT. BX1500 54 mmm
I am getting ready to install the screw in block heater on a L4400 HST.
Block heater
- Thread starter rkhpapa
- Start date
- Views: 4796
LBrown59
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2004
- Messages
- 16,904
- Tractor
- 2003 Kubota BX1500/2004 Kubota Bx23/2005 Kubota BX1500
In 4 years I've not needed one.
ByronBob
Veteran Member
It's cold at your place. I only remember the 1st winter I didn't have a block heater and the engine sounded rough. It started but it felt like the pistons were hard on the cylinder sleeves.
My next winter I had a heater. It starts just like it does in the middle of the summer. EASY.
In my mind for the small cost and the mental piece of mind it was worth the money.
My next winter I had a heater. It starts just like it does in the middle of the summer. EASY.
In my mind for the small cost and the mental piece of mind it was worth the money.
In the past 8 years, my bota has not needed anything other than the glow plugs. I cycle them 2 or 3 times with the key when it gets cold.
Cold is under -20F. I have started the tractor with no problems at -32F, but not often. It doesn't get that cold here in Wisconsin that often.
By the way, it's still on the original battery. Plenty of crank
jb
Lockport
Platinum Member
My dealer came to the house and installed the screw in type plug heater. First they drained the coolant, then smashed the metal mold over the threaded opening to allow access. Cleaned the edges of any debris and screwed in the heater. 1200 watts, I believe and after 45 minutes in -20 you can feel the warmth on the top of the block.
That being said, I am away a lot and often do not have time to plug in when I need the tractor to clear the drive. Glow plug for 10 seconds in that cold and she starts every time. As said before, it idles rough until she gets a little heat. I stock a lot of faith in the synthetic oil, too, as a must have in some of the temps I see on the Canadian prairies.
Cheers
That being said, I am away a lot and often do not have time to plug in when I need the tractor to clear the drive. Glow plug for 10 seconds in that cold and she starts every time. As said before, it idles rough until she gets a little heat. I stock a lot of faith in the synthetic oil, too, as a must have in some of the temps I see on the Canadian prairies.
Cheers
smfcpacfp
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2007
- Messages
- 1,314
- Tractor
- Kubota B3030HSDC
I don't have the same model, but it took about 10 minutes to install the block heater variety which cost $50, so the cost wasn't a big deal.
I operate like AMR, the colder the weather, the longer I have it plugged in. It definitely idles more smoothly than when you don't use the block heater, if that is important to you. I had a few below zero days when I had to snowblow, so I left it plugged in for and hour, or so.
The problem that I have is that the d**n plug on the block heat goes into my extension cord with a great deal of difficulty.
I operate like AMR, the colder the weather, the longer I have it plugged in. It definitely idles more smoothly than when you don't use the block heater, if that is important to you. I had a few below zero days when I had to snowblow, so I left it plugged in for and hour, or so.
The problem that I have is that the d**n plug on the block heat goes into my extension cord with a great deal of difficulty.
dex3361
Elite Member
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2008
- Messages
- 3,551
- Location
- N. of Charleston WV
- Tractor
- Kubota L4400-1 HST,FEL, 3x3 remotes, TNT. BX1500 54 mmm
It went well. Pull out a freeze plug and drive in the threaded sleeve in place of the freeze plug, put some thead locker on the threaded sleave to help seal it. Then thread in the heater and wait for the cold weather.
tmc2318
Silver Member
I also have an electric battery blanket that heats the battery up as well as a block heater. Definitely starts like summer and extends the life of the battery too.
