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

[Titan978]

Hi!!

Just thinking about a block heater on the BX24 for winter. I live in Ma and winter could be cold. If I do need one, how do I install it? Where does it go? And how much are they?? How does the BX start when it is really cold?? Any other tricks to keeping them warm?? The Wife does not want it in the living room!!! Too bad, the new seat is comfy!!!

Thanks!!!!

 

[Renob]

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/...project-bx2350.html?highlight=bx+block+heater

 

[Titan978]

Thanks Renob, great link with pics!! Doesn't sound too hard, I'll have to install it next week.

Thanks again...

 

[Titan978]

Also how long do I plug it in to get everything warm??

 

[Egon]

Your BX will start at any cold temp.,

Okay???

 

[638]

Where are you going to keep it at, in the heated garage or outside? My BX23 is in a yard barn, and with about 10/15 seconds of glow plug it kicks off immediately regardlessly of the temp.

ron

 

[mswlogo]

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.

 

[crazyal]

I'm guessing you are new to diesels, if not forgive me. First thing is the fuel. If your using off-road (or home heating oil) you will need to add a conditioner to it otherwise it will gel when it gets below freezing. If you're using the on-road you can buy at any pump it will have the conditioner added to it, sort of. During the summer they don't add it because it's not needed. As the temps drop they start adding it. If you fill up during the summer time you might not have conditioner in it and should add some.

Things like Kerosene can be added but don't have the lubricating proporties that diesel has, I would recomend the conditioner. Another trick is starting fluid, a quick shot will start almost any diesel but not all engines can handle the extra pressure. So unless you know for sure I wouldn't use it.

A block heater helps as far as wear and tear while starting the engine. If you know when you think you are going to use your BX and have the time to warm it up it would be helpful but I don't think required. If you are at work and it starts to snow and you need the tractor when you get home to clear it and don't have the time to wait you would need to either plug it in before you go to work or use a timer. Otherwise it wouldn't do much good.

 

[Lockport]

Also how long do I plug it in to get everything warm??

I am on the prairies in Manitoba, it can get to -30(rarely anymore) -20 quite routinely without the wind chill. I am in an unheated garage and, like they are saying, 10-15 second glow plug she will start if really necessary, but I like to plug it in for 1/2 to a full hour. I also run full synthetic oil with a pour point of -47. Otherwise, the oil is like molasses and that small pump is trying to get it up to the top of a starving engine. If you are on dino oil and it is anywhere near that cold, I would routinely plug it in for an hour at least.

 

[Titan978]

I think I will install the block heater, it just makes sense to have one! I will turn it on 1-2 hours before I need to plow with it.. Thanks again, I love this little power house!!!

 

[mswlogo]

According to this thread these guys say a LOT longer than 30-1hr minutes.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...er-question.html?highlight=block+heater+hours

 

[Lockport]

They are talking about a 3030 and I think there is something wrong with a heater plugged in for four hours and he cannot feel warmth on the engne. My oil pan is HOT after an hour.

Further on the subject, it is still important to follow proper warm up procedure as per the manual for the hydro-oil. Good winter fuel and keeo a jug of Powersave 911 just in case of jelling.

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Mswlogo,

Do you NEED a block heater, NO, hold the glow plug for 10-15 secs and it will start as others have said. Will you like the way it sounds and acts when it starts, NO. Most of the engine wear is occurring in the 1st few seconds until the oil starts to do its thing. If the engine has sat for a few weeks without use, the oil has drained back and the pump has to do its thing even more.

I plug my heater in for 1 hour before starting and the engine is warm to the touch in an unheated shed. (I actually installed a 1 hour timer on the wire to the outside receptacle that I plug the extension cord into and yes it is 12 gauge cord, and just turn the knob and an hour latter I am good to go.) I also use synthetic oil too, I consider the oil and the block heater sleep insurance. My dealer said the same no need to install a block heater, BUT I did it anyway, it is my tractor I can do what I want with it and so can you

 

[fishpick]

I have a block heater - in the box for my BX24 - never installed it... I suppose I could plug it in and make the box warm...

 

[mswlogo]

Mswlogo,

Do you NEED a block heater, NO, hold the glow plug for 10-15 secs and it will start as others have said. Will you like the way it sounds and acts when it starts, NO. Most of the engine wear is occurring in the 1st few seconds until the oil starts to do its thing. If the engine has sat for a few weeks without use, the oil has drained back and the pump has to do its thing even more.

I plug my heater in for 1 hour before starting and the engine is warm to the touch in an unheated shed. (I actually installed a 1 hour timer on the wire to the outside receptacle that I plug the extension cord into and yes it is 12 gauge cord, and just turn the knob and an hour latter I am good to go.) I also use synthetic oil too, I consider the oil and the block heater sleep insurance. My dealer said the same no need to install a block heater, BUT I did it anyway, it is my tractor I can do what I want with it and so can you

Do you really think the Synthetic oil will flow and protect the engine that much better just because you preheated it?

My car doesn't have a block heater or my snow blower. It only takes over night for oil to drain and get as cold as something sitting a couple weeks.

I try not to fall into habits of, Hey it doesn't hurt, it's iunsurance, because I can do it I will. When it *might* be perfectly fine with out it. I'm not saying you should or should not. I'm just not convinced it will extend it's life.

Many people think you should change your oil in your car every 3000 miles. Which is excessive and wasteful. I Change (with synthetic) every 10,000 miles. Never had a problem in 5 cars all well over a 100k and don't burn oil (other than normal amount about 1 qt in 10k miles). Cars are outside most of the time. I also see people warm up their cars for 20 minutes, also a waste. I'm trying to be more green in my life and questioning ANYTHING that uses resources.

Block heaters were invented to help diesels START in exstreme conditions. Now they are being recommended for keeping it warm and cozy, so the owner sleeps better.

I'm not saying I won't put one on. But I'm not convinced it's really doing anything. I don't care if it runs rough for a few minutes. As long as the engine is not being damaged because of it. Maybe since it needs less warm up it will actually save in net resources. I don't know.

 

[crazyal]

I can remember as a kid my father digging a small hole and draining the oil out of his car into it when he changed the oil. His father taught him that, after all oil comes from the ground so it should be OK putting it back into the ground. How life has changed. The reason 3k miles for normal oil is the accepted lenth of time is because after that time frame it looses enough of it's lubricating properties that it will start waisting more gas or diesel. Synthetic clearly can run longer, how much I really don't know so I follow what's recomended.

Warm oil will flow much easier for the first few moments when you start a motor up so it stands to reason it will be better for the engine. Like someone else said nothing else will be warm though. If you have the time I would use one, you're not going to hurt it by using one. You may even get more life out of your starter.

 

[cp1969]

I'm trying to be more green in my life and questioning ANYTHING that uses resources.

Block heaters were invented to help diesels START in exstreme conditions. Now they are being recommended for keeping it warm and cozy, so the owner sleeps better.

I'm not saying I won't put one on. But I'm not convinced it's really doing anything. I don't care if it runs rough for a few minutes. As long as the engine is not being damaged because of it. Maybe since it needs less warm up it will actually save in net resources. I don't know.

'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.

 

[mswlogo]

3000 is excessive for dino oil too, it maybe made sense in the 40's. In the 70's well before the synthetics, while all the americans were told to change it at 3000 by manufacturer they were told 5000 in europe, on the SAME EXACT CAR !!!

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

OH NO not another my oil is better then your oil thread??

 

[Northland]

I live in Northern Ontario and keep my B7800 in my unheated garage beside. Winters here are usually -10C to - 20C but it does go down to -32C a few times each winter

I have a block heater on the B7800 and have it on the same timer (set at 2 hours) as my wife's car. I work from home so my truck isn't plugged in usually.

The block heater in both the tractor and the car make a huge difference in how fast they warm up and are ready to drive.

I think one of these would work well on a tractor

Tractor Supply Company - MAGNETIC HEATER