Snow Engine heater YM1700

[DaveUK]

So I've made a front snow plough, but now turning my attention to some form of engine pre-heat. It was a bit of a pig last winter, although the TS would get it going.

The engine doesn't seem to have any accessible core plugs, and the bottom radiator hose is a bit tight to get a heater in, plus all the heaters I've found are bigger diameter.

So what are my options? I thought about making a cover to go over the front/bonnet/sides and put a fan heater or similar underneath, or maybe a heater pad on the sump. Any ideas?

 

[284 International]

Do you have pictures of your plow build? I'd like to see those.

I don't know anything about cold weather, really, but am familiar with products like this. They come in various sizes and styles, and are magnetic, so with a pair of them you could stick one on the crankcase and another on the head or engine block, and have the lubricating oil pre-warmed, and the engine coolant warmed up too. I don't know how junky that particular product is versus others.

Somewhere around that page I saw thermostatically controlled plugs, which were intriguing to me. If you stacked them with a timer or something, it would automatically turn on if it's a certain time and temperatures are colder than specified.

 

[rmully]

Get a dip stick heater ...they work good and are a simple install... remove your oil dipstick and insert the dipstick heater. Just remember to unplug the heater before driving off.

 

[PILOON]

When my block heater blew I resorted to a magnetic that I got in a yard sale.
OK, it helped a bit but only after 6 hours of heat combined with a 4000 watt construction heater blowing hot air.
The magnet types just do not have the wattage.
From my experience a minimum of 400 watts is needed and I'd really like 5-600.
The magnet types seem only available in 200 watts and I wonder if even 100 watts gets to the oil.

Long story short, no fun changing a block heater at minus 20deg.

 

[Car Doc]

A tank type water heater that goes in a heater hose on a car may be the only solution but hooking it up will take some imagination.

And IMO a 1500w is what it takes to do a good job pre-heating an engine in below freezing temps and it doesn't take long either. No reason to run it all nite unless you want to or have a timer that will handle that much current.

 

[winston1]

I would think this screw in 400 watt would do a good job. Don't know which Yanmars have the 1-1/4" screw in openings. Yanmar Tractor Parts: BLOCK HEATER - 400 WATT - SCREW IN - INCLUDES CORD Also a 300 watt magnetic. Yanmar Tractor Parts: MAGNETIC BLOCK HEATER - HIGH OUTPUT - I am thinking the screw in type just works on 3 cylinders, not for sure.

 

[Inspector507]

I used a heater in the lower radiator hose when I had my YM1700. The heater was about 4" total but the hoses slid on 1" on both sides. So I really only cut out about 2" of the hose. I have no idea what brand it was anymore. I think it may have been for a 1 1/4" hose.........?

 

[BC Dave]

I Just bought a 300 watt exterior magnetic mounting block heater; the size of a sardine can; and can be perminantly mounted with metal straps; or just take off after 1 hr and start and go .... $40 Can on sale ...

 

[Car Doc]

400w is plenty if you can get it in the block or a lower hose but the external clamp on and tank type circulating heaters need a lot more watts to do the same heating a block type will simply because they are heating the air around them too.

 

[Car Doc]

I Just bought a 300 watt exterior magnetic mounting block heater; the size of a sardine can; and can be perminantly mounted with metal straps; or just take off after 1 hr and start and go .... $40 Can on sale ...

I hope it actually works like that for you Dave!

However I have my doubts based on my experience with magnetic type heaters they may have their place but I have not found one on a tractor. I had a 200w once and it didn't do a dang thing stuck to my oil pan which is a flat plate and should have been ideal for it to work heating the oil and it did absolutely squat.