Gr2120 block heater

[Jmsossi]

This has been my first year with my new kubota gr2120 tractor and with our cold winter the engine will not start when below 0 . Not good when you want to blow snow!
Checked with my dealer about a block heater he said kubota made a heater kit $250.00 ! Plus install. After he sent me info on it I built my own kit and installed it . Cost me shop time and $100.00 in materials.
The kit from the factory tapped into the thermostat housing but I already used it for my heater install so I made a spacer plate to install a hose fitting for the heater. Also made a manifold to install the electric block heater in it as there is not enough room in the engine water jacket. Will give it a try out tomarrow .
Check out Kubota Block Heater Photos by joeshop | Photobucket for pictures of the project.

 

[Balerguy2]

Jmsossi,

Really nice job! What kinda amps/watts is the electric heater element? Source? How is it doing for improved starting against so much cold?

I'm thinking of something similar for our BX2200. I don't use it in winter cold because of no heat.................... yet! Thanks for posting!

 

[Jmsossi]

This is a Katz heating element that I purchased at the local auto parts store .
It is 400 watt element with a 3/4 npt thread, for your question about how it works I plugged it in this morning for an hour and it warmed the engine up to a little over 100 degrees in that time.
It was above freezing today so it has not had a good test yet but as warm as the engine was I don't think I will have anymore cold start problems .��

 

[Balerguy2]

Jmsossi,
Got the info. Thanks so much!