Has anyone installed a block heater in LS4100 series?

[durf 700]

I forgot to ask if a block heater was included with my new tractor... and it wasn't. They appear to be pretty inexpensive and simple. Has anyone installed one in the LS 4100 series? I own a XR4145H and would like to install one to help with cold starts in central NY. pics of where it goes would be great!

thanks

 

[jdom84]

My tractor came with one but i probably wont use it unless its below zero and I need to run the tractor. I usually don't run my tractor much in the winter except for getting firewood. All my vehicles can handle the little bit of snow we get each year and I don't care much for moving something that is just going to melt, so that stuff stays where it falls...

Maybe the LS engines have a spot for them already, rather then using the frost plug type that end up leaking all the time. On my Ram truck, Cummins has a threaded plug just for the block heaters. I would check in your manual or ask your dealer.

 

[Doofy]

My brand new XR 3135 has the engine heater installed in the lower radiator hose. Never hurts to have one, that's for sure. Cost is minimal. Drain antifreeze, cut hose, install heater, tighten hose clamps, refill system, burp it and you are all finished. Good Job!

 

[durf 700]

sounds good. sometimes it gets well below zero in upstate NY so I would like to get either a block heater or a in line heater for the antifreeze in the event we get a cold streak and I need the tractor.

 

[Doofy]

Hi durf 700. Not sure why my dealer installed the in-hose heater instead of the usual " frost plug heater". I'll give it a good workout this winter. Should work just fine.

 

[jdom84]

I looked at my tractor this weekend and it also has the inline coolant heater, which I'm pretty happy about, I have had bad luck with frost plug type in the past. You can also use the magnetic heater type if your in a pinch.

 

[Doofy]

Normally, core plug heaters work well and last a long time. I've seen several fail recently though. The in-line radiator hose heater is out in the open and easier to see and keep an eye on. Should work well.

 

[ehinson]

I put a Kat's pan heating pad on all my vehicles including the tractor, I prefer the oil to be warm over the coolant, " my preference ".

It covers a large portion of the pan so lots of oil gets heated, thinking about the Hydro part now, just have to figure out where to put one.

 

[Doofy]

ehinson, sorry I didn't even think of pan heaters when talking about block heaters. My 7.3 Ford diesel I use for snowplowing sits outside all winter and has pad heaters on both oil pan and transmission pan. It also has a 500 watt block heater and a battery trickle charger.

The trickle charger is always plugged in to keep the batteries from discharging and freezing. When I plan to plow, I plug everything in for 1/2- 1 hour and it always starts. I don't plow when temps are below -20.

 

[jdom84]

I don't plow when temps are below -20.

You are quite a bit further north, I don't know how you do it! This year it was -18F for a while and that was enough... made me start contemplating buying a winter home in Oregon, still gets snow and cold... just not nearly as cold.

I've been wondering how well those pan heaters work, been thinking about putting one on my daily driver Subaru Outback. It didn't come with any sort of engine heater aid and although it still starts fine, even in -18f... it doesn't seem to like it.