Block Heater

[johnk]

Does anyone know the size of the lower radiator hose on a Kubota 3130? I want to install an inline heater with the cold weather approaching. What would yous' prefer. Freeze plug or lower radiator hose???

John

 

[Egon]

Don't know the ID of the line but either type heater will work.

 

[simonmeridew]

My dealer installs a a frost plug heater with every tractor, then says you'll never need it. I went all last winter in NE Vermont with my L4400 and never once even remotely needed it. My tractor stays outside all the time; just turn the key to glow plug for maybe 5 sec max and then to start and off and running. Above 40 and I just start it, no glow plug necessary.
simonmeridew

 

[Stoweski]

And one additional question regarding block heaters. My dealer installed one on my B7610 (the price was right) when I bought the tractor. The only thing they told me is not to leave it plugged in overnight. An hour is all it needs. On that note, my tractor is parked in a portable garage about 100' from my house and any power outlet. Is it possible to hook up an extension cord to the heater SAFELY at that distance? If so, would a 14/3 do or should I hunt down a 12/3 cord?

Thanks!
Keith
Kubota B7610

 

[johnk]

To Simon,

If I had a heater on mine I would use it because it is nice to get the tractor heated up and ready to go in the zero weather. The oil would be thinner and the starter wouldn't have to work as hard to get her cranked over. Easier on the whole tractor in my opinion.......

John

 

[MadReferee]

And one additional question regarding block heaters. My dealer installed one on my B7610 (the price was right) when I bought the tractor. The only thing they told me is not to leave it plugged in overnight. An hour is all it needs. On that note, my tractor is parked in a portable garage about 100' from my house and any power outlet. Is it possible to hook up an extension cord to the heater SAFELY at that distance? If so, would a 14/3 do or should I hunt down a 12/3 cord?

A 14/3 cord should suffice. The Kubota block heater is not a real high current draw and can be plugged in safely to any 15 amp circuit.

 

[simonmeridew]

try the 14 wire cord and feel for heat in the cord after a few minutes of having it plugged in, especially feel near the outbound connector end; this is often a weak point with higher resistance. If it isn't warm to the touch you're OK.
The tank-type heaters have a kind of thermosiphon circulation as well as a thermostatic control so leaving them on all night is OK since if they get too hot they turn off. But the frost plug type are always on, so the potential is there to overheat.
simonmeridew

 

[JoeL4330]

you know the answer is 12/3, but 14 will work ...just puts more heat into the 100' line and less into the tractor ...and you know that the right answer is a GCFI (GFCI) outlet at the house end