Do I need a block heater for a BX24???

[chipsndust]

Your BX will start at any cold temp., But when it's really cold it won't like it. A block heater is a must for winter starts in my opinion.

Here is a link to a thread with great install tips.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/89491-block-heater-install-project-bx2350.html?highlight=bx+block+heater

How do I join the LBrown fan club?

 

[Renob]

How do I join the LBrown fan club?

You just have to learn the secret handshake!

If you join I guess it'll officially be a club. Now that there is two of us.

 

[Lockport]

...
Now, I don't have any scientific data to back this up, but I am going to propose that when you cold-start your diesel and it is emitting white smoke until it warms up.....that you have more than offset the amount of stack-scrubbed, coal-fired power plant generated electricity it would have taken a little block heater to warm your engine to the point that it didn't do that. That white smoke is unburned hydrocarbon fuel...not too Green, you know. Cold starts are probably the primary source of fuel in the oil. And fuel in the oil makes you change it sooner, thus being less (everybody say it with me) Green.

ditto

 

[mswlogo]

'Green' has to be one of the most overused words there is in today's vocabulary. What does it mean? Green is always good? Bile is green...who wants a big tumbler full? People are said to be green with envy. Is that now a good thing? I am not picking on you; it's just that I can't pick up a newspaper without that word being in the title of a half dozen articles and I'm sick of it. That and the word 'hoops' being used to describe the game of basketball. Rant over, no offense intended, if some was taken, I apologize in advance.

Now, I don't have any scientific data to back this up, but I am going to propose that when you cold-start your diesel and it is emitting white smoke until it warms up.....that you have more than offset the amount of stack-scrubbed, coal-fired power plant generated electricity it would have taken a little block heater to warm your engine to the point that it didn't do that. That white smoke is unburned hydrocarbon fuel...not too Green, you know. Cold starts are probably the primary source of fuel in the oil. And fuel in the oil makes you change it sooner, thus being less (everybody say it with me) Green.

You have a valid point on the white smoke.

No reason to be sick of "Green" seeing it talked about everywhere is long over due. I agree you need to look at the "whole" picture as you came up with.

 

[mswlogo]

Although it's not nearly as cold as it will get. My tractor sat for two weeks and it was in single digits the last two nights with a howling wind.

It fired up fine and idled immediately as smooth as it does warmed up and had a puff of white smoke as it does when I started with warmer temps.

How cold does it need to get before I see this violent horrible idling? With no cab I think I'll be more uneasy about cold weather starts than it will.

I ordered a KATS magnetic cheapo from Amazon for $28.00 shipped for backup. Read too many comments of freeze plug ones possibly leaking.

 

[Egon]

That violent clattering sound happens at a temperature just above the one where you hear a "erh-erh-err-er-e-" It's pretty easy to notice.

Most cars sold in Canada come from the dealer with a block heater installed. Failure incidence is low.

 

[Titan978]

Well I just got around to installing the block heater and boy was that easy!!! Thanks to everyone that help with advice and photos. The direction that came with it were not so clear. As far as leaking? It is press fit with locktite so if your freeze plugs do not leak the this shouldn't leak. Well worth the cost in order for the tractor to warm up faster when I need to use it in the cold!!!! Thanks again.

 

[Tig]

I have an inline heater in my lower rad hose (B7100). After 30 mins my engine is very warm. If wind and extreem cold are an issue I would throw and old sleeping bag over the hood after I plug it in.

 

[Northland]

Although it's not nearly as cold as it will get. My tractor sat for two weeks and it was in single digits the last two nights with a howling wind.

It fired up fine and idled immediately as smooth as it does warmed up and had a puff of white smoke as it does when I started with warmer temps.

How cold does it need to get before I see this violent horrible idling? With no cab I think I'll be more uneasy about cold weather starts than it will.

I ordered a KATS magnetic cheapo from Amazon for $28.00 shipped for backup. Read too many comments of freeze plug ones possibly leaking.

thanks for the tip-I just ordered one of the Kats 200 watt ones as well-$25 shipped from amazon. I have all kinds of places to stick that thing

 

[mswlogo]

Yeah after a lot of reading I think the inline radiator hose one is the best and fastest but they can be a little tight getting them in the BX.

The KATS heater is not quick but simple and quick to install , I don't plan to use tractor that much in the winter.

 

[BXRICK]

As the original poster, I live in MA. Cold, but not THAT cold.
I have a $25 magnetic block heater. But I doubt it's necessary most of the time, and I don't always use it.
I park my tractor in an unheated shed. I have an extension cord that goes to the shed, so I can turn the block heater on from inside the house.

The fuel additive is very important. Especially if you don't use your tractor 100s of hours a week. As mentioned, it's possible the fuel you have may or may not have additive in it. Just add some when you buy more fuel. The stuff works. We all know the fuel you buy in Janurary (on-raod, anyway) has additive. But how about in October or Nevember? It's not so clear. Just add it, and save a lot of grief.

 

[john_bud]

How cold does it need to get before I see this violent horrible idling? With no cab I think I'll be more uneasy about cold weather starts than it will.

The poor idling with white smoke comes some time after -20f. The violent horrible idling with lots of white smoke comes after -30f.

I don't know what comes after -40f --> and am hoping that it stays a secret!

A "trick" is to cycle the glow plugs once for every 10 degrees the temp drops starting at 10f.

Down to 10F cycle as normal
0f cycle 2 times
-10f cycle 3 times
etc

The cold intake manifold and head will suck the heat right out and heat is needed to start a diesel.

jb

 

[mswlogo]

Yikes that's pretty **** low. I can't recall it ever being much below -10f during early daylight hours (excluding wind chill, which the tractor does not feel). Sounds like the tractor is a lot tougher than I am, I confidently say I won't be on it at -20f.

 

[Egon]

John, at -40F there is usually very little noise. Sorta a click-er and then silence.

But if there is a block or inline heater that has been powered up for a few hours the start up sounds are quite normal.

 

[LBrown59]

I just got a BX24 and researched this a lot on these forums and talked to dealers.

I read on other threads about 4 hours.

I was gonna get one and 2 dealers said you don't need it.

I'm in NH. It will be in unheated unattached barn (actually a boathouse).

If I do use my tractor in winter it probably won't be planned and 4 hours is a long time, so I passed on the heater for now.

From what I read it will start fine, it will just run rough longer without the heater. And if it doesn't start when it's bitter cold it's usually because the fuel is too thick.

I plan to put synthetic in engine after break in which should help.

No block heater for my kubotas here.
If it's to cold for the tractor to start it's time to stay in the house anyway.