block heater

Kitz · Dec 1, 2010

Hi All Just Wondering How Long You Guys Keep Your Block Heaters Plugged In I Have A International Tractor That I Just Got And Thought I Would Plug It In To Make Sure It Worked When I Plugged It In It Started To Make A Sizzling Sound Which I dont Know If Thats Normal Or Not But Appeared To Heat Up So I Left It On For A Couple Hours And When I Checked It The Valve Cover Was Warm and Antifreeze Was Warm Is That All The Longer It Takes To Heat Up Temp Outdoors Was Around 28 F Thanks For The Help

IXLR8 · Dec 1, 2010

I have a block heater in my Kioti... but I don't have power where I keep it so I have never plugged it in.. starts fine down to -5dF. Below that... I don't go out.

Dakota_male · Dec 1, 2010

littlefarmer said:
Hi All Just Wondering How Long You Guys Keep Your Block Heaters Plugged In I Have A International Tractor That I Just Got And Thought I Would Plug It In To Make Sure It Worked When I Plugged It In It Started To Make A Sizzling Sound Which I dont Know If Thats Normal Or Not But Appeared To Heat Up So I Left It On For A Couple Hours And When I Checked It The Valve Cover Was Warm and Antifreeze Was Warm Is That All The Longer It Takes To Heat Up Temp Outdoors Was Around 28 F Thanks For The Help

When I plug my MF1532, in 2 hours it is also warm enough to start very easier, cost for 2 hours @ 400watts is almost $0.11. ( 11 cents per 1000 watts consumed at our electricial rates) cheaper than allowing the diesel to run longer while warming up.

Egon · Dec 2, 2010

The sizzling sound is normal. Lots of us wait and listen for it as it lets us know the heater is working.

Length of time will depend on the wattage of the heater, the mass of the radiator fluid and block as well as ambient temperature and the effect the wind may have on it if parked outside.

bp fick · Dec 2, 2010

Just used mine this morning, for the first time this year. NICE!!

Only had it on for 90 minutes, as it's only 28 F, not frigid or anything, but the engine "sounds" warmed up as soon as it fires. Believer.

David s Von Gieserbrechta · Dec 2, 2010

Here in Manitoba when it gets down to -25c or lower I normally have my machines plugged in for about two hours prior to starting. Any longer than that and it's just a waste of power.

The exceptions are when it's around -35 to -40c and stormy I do tend to leave them plugged in all night just so that I don't have to get up earlier than necessary to plug them in. One of these days I'm going to put a switch in the house connected to the line for the Car, truck, van and the Kubota. It's hard to get back to sleep at four in the morning after jack frost has been nipping at your nose.

I also use battery warmers and 0-40 oil in all of my engines, it really helps.

tungularafishcamp · Dec 2, 2010

I just put a timer switch on ours, dont have to go out in the cold or get up that way. The little bit of electricity it uses more than makes up for it in no warm up time, heater works straight off, and warm oil is splashing around immediatly.
Rick

Each vehicle is different, wife's subaru only takes half an hour duramax and kubota a couple.

PILOON · Dec 2, 2010

I have the tractor outlet switched from inside my closet as I don't like going out b4 I have had my coffee. LOL
Generally I give it 1-1 1/2 hour of heat.
Next I plan to use an old car interior warmer to pre heat the tractor cabin.
Hey, I need pre heat also!

Oh. I have a small 15 watt bulb wired with the block heater so that I am sure that it is actually working. (Been fooled once or twice)

D7E · Dec 2, 2010

My snow clearing tracror is plugged in 24 hours a day for call outs all winter but the others usually we plug them in the night before for next day start !

bigdad · Dec 2, 2010

I have and use my block heater. Works great.

Remember even when the oil/block is warmed you still need to make sure and let it run to warm the hydro fluid.

wolc123 · Dec 2, 2010

That is significant disadvantage of a hydro transmission for cold-weather use. With gear, I cant feel any temperature effect. The tractor just goes at the same speed, if it is -30 or 95 degrees when I let out the clutch, dependent only on gear selected and engine rpm. The only trouble is the lift hydraulics which takes a little while to warm up when it is real cold out. On my old 8n Ford, with straight 90 weight oil, I would have half my plowing done before the rear blade lifted at a summer-like speed. Thankfully, my newer JD with multi-visc oil, starts out cold at a half-way decent lift speed. If only there was a way to take the temperature-dependency out of the lift mechinism. I guess a manual lift would do that and also eliminate the need for a gym-membership and cab heater.

bp fick · Dec 2, 2010

wolc123 said:
That is significant disadvantage of a hydro transmission for cold-weather use. With gear, I cant feel any temperature effect. The tractor just goes at the same speed, if it is -30 or 95 degrees when I let out the clutch, dependent only on gear selected and engine rpm. The only trouble is the lift hydraulics which takes a little while to warm up when it is real cold out. On my old 8n Ford, with straight 90 weight oil, I would have half my plowing done before the rear blade lifted at a summer-like speed. Thankfully, my newer JD with multi-visc oil, starts out cold at a half-way decent lift speed. If only there was a way to take the temperature-dependency out of the lift mechinism. I guess a manual lift would do that and also eliminate the need for a gym-membership and cab heater.

You point out a very important aspect of cold weather operation. The cold hydraulics and cold HSTs. Those who live in the more southern climes don't always fully appreciate just how cold -20 really is. It's numbing, dry, hurt your nose cold. Bare skin sticking to metal cold.

Which is why when you have months of below freezing weather, the choice of fluid is so important. A low vis, multi-vis fluid is essential.
With the right fluids, the operation gets up to speed much quicker.

pat32rf · Dec 2, 2010

Don't forget that a battery heater can also make a big difference on cold mornings. I have a lower rad hose, block and battery heater for those -30 deg mornings. I give it about an hour (indoor switch) when I know I'm going out. After a couple minute running I'll SLOWLY drive accross the yard to the garage (200')and then let it sit for another five minutes or so to warm the hydro.

RalphVa · Dec 3, 2010

On our 2 Benzes, we only needed to plug the heaters in about 30 minutes before starting.

Otherwise, your radiator will take away lots of heat, resulting in just waste of electricity and ultimate burnout of the heating element.

Ralph

MF1652 · Dec 3, 2010

I took the $10.00 remote switch my wife used to use to turn the christmas lights on and off and put it on the extension cord to my tractor. Now I just plug the block heater in after I finish using the tractor and turn it on from inside my house with the remote about 30 minutes to an hour before I plan to use it again. Of course my wife now makes fun of me because it's just another one of my toys with a remote.

JDGreenGrass · Dec 3, 2010

Egon said:
The sizzling sound is normal. Lots of us wait and listen for it as it lets us know the heater is working.

Length of time will depend on the wattage of the heater, the mass of the radiator fluid and block as well as ambient temperature and the effect the wind may have on it if parked outside.

Egon....You may or may not know this but, the wind has no effect on temperature. In other words, the iron on your tractor does not "feel" the cold wind chill. Only us humans do.

If the temp is zero and the wind is blowing 40mph, the temperature is still zero.

PILOON · Dec 3, 2010

Dakota_male said:
When I plug my MF1532, in 2 hours it is also warm enough to start very easier, cost for 2 hours @ 400watts is almost $0.11. ( 11 cents per 1000 watts consumed at our electricial rates) cheaper than allowing the diesel to run longer while warming up.

But at $0.11 you don't want that plugged in 24/24 as that would run like $40.00 per month!

Guess in Alaska they don't have a choice.

Sweden-Art · Dec 3, 2010

I am not entirely on topic, but I have a tank type coolant heater on my Mahindra 2525 with a built in circulation pump, circulating the coolant with in the engine at a rate of 10 l/min (2,65 GPM). This type was entirely new to me before I found it.

I made some test this week on with it. We have had between -21°C (-5,8°F) and -16°C (3,2°F) for a couple of days. The tractor has been stored outside. I plugged the heater on with the tractor outside and the temp was -17C (1,4°F). It took 44 min until the coolant was heated and heater thermostat kicked in @ 60°C (140°F).
The tractor temp gauge showed 60°C (140°F). It started just like in the summertime

Usually I use it just 15-20 min or so @ -10°C (14°F)

D7E · Dec 3, 2010

JDGreenGrass said:
Egon....You may or may not know this but, the wind has no effect on temperature. In other words, the iron on your tractor does not "feel" the cold wind chill. Only us humans do.

If the temp is zero and the wind is blowing 40mph, the temperature is still zero.

Everyone i know would dissagree with that . Keeping a tractor behind a bale stack or in a barn makes a huge difference to starting and always factor in wind chill .