Help with Block heater for kubota L245DT

fbson395 · Nov 25, 2011

Hello, Hope that everyone had a good T-day. I have a question about block heaters . I would like to install one on my L245DT. The question is about which type to install. The Magnetic type from what I have read does not do a very good job of heating and one review said he needed to remove it before starting. Another site stated that the lower water heater hose type works well but that I needed to have a bypass hose on the water pump, which I do not.Then the soft plug style which is most likely the most efficient requires the most work to install. I'm leaning towards the lower radiator hose style. What say you members with more knowledge than I. You input will be appreciated.

grsthegreat · Nov 25, 2011

A real easy solution is the glue on heaters...such as Wolverine Engine Heaters | Outperforms Engine Block Heater - Cold Starts

i am using 3 of these, as they were just easier to install, are perminant, and i dont have to open either the freeze plugs or the radiator hose. I have 1 on the oil pan (125 watt) one on the HST unit (250 watt) and one on my rear PTO powered hydraulic powerpack that operates my snowblower (250 watt). There hooked to a wall timer so only run a few hours a day.

fbson395 · Nov 25, 2011

grsthegreat, Thank You for the information and web site for the glue on type heater. I will look into the install on this product. My oil pan has like ribs on it, so I will check on it's bottom and hope it is smooth. Thanks Again

grsthegreat · Nov 26, 2011

fbson395 said:
grsthegreat, Thank You for the information and web site for the glue on type heater. I will look into the install on this product. My oil pan has like ribs on it, so I will check on it's bottom and hope it is smooth. Thanks Again

my tractors oil pan had ribs also on the side, but the bottom was flat.

Jerry/MT · Nov 26, 2011

fbson395 said:
Hello, Hope that everyone had a good T-day. I have a question about block heaters . I would like to install one on my L245DT. The question is about which type to install. The Magnetic type from what I have read does not do a very good job of heating and one review said he needed to remove it before starting. Another site stated that the lower water heater hose type works well but that I needed to have a bypass hose on the water pump, which I do not.Then the soft plug style which is most likely the most efficient requires the most work to install. I'm leaning towards the lower radiator hose style. What say you members with more knowledge than I. You input will be appreciated.

Installation of a core plug block heater is not difficult IF you have easy access to the core plug.
You do have to drain the cooling system but I installed them on our NH TD95D and our Ford 4610. The NH had a thresaed plug so that was a no brainer, but the Ford had a standard core plug. You just hit on one edge lightly with a punch and it rotates about 90ｰ. You remove it with a pair of pliers, clean the edges of the hole, put in the block heater, orient it per the instructions and tighten the bolt. You attach the electrical connetion and use a nylon tie to hold it in place and refill the cooling system. It took me longer to drain the coolant then it did to install the heater.

fbson395 · Nov 26, 2011

Jerry, thanks you for responding. I understand how to replace the soft plug but I'm short on space.It could be just being lazy and looking for the easy way out. I think I will go with the oil pan heater. This will be the the easiest for me at this time. I still have problems with a knee replacement and lying on the ground is something I can handle. But I sure get up slow!Thanks
Bill

Craig Clayton · Nov 27, 2011

I have a lower rad hose heater on my L2250 26 HP Kubota for 18 years and 1100hrs on the clock. I have owned the tractor since it was brand new. I had the dealer install the heater as I had no shop to work in at the time. The full flow of rad fluid is pumped through it and the heater caues no problems. At 20 degrees F I will give it 1.5 hours and the tractor block is just right . At 0 degree F maybe 2 hours.
I am very happy with the installed heater.

Craig Clayton

fbson395 · Nov 27, 2011

Craig, Thank for your reply. The question I have is about a bypass on the water pump. One of the ads stated that this system needed to have a bypass, is that a fact? Do you have one on you tractor? I really like this system but will it work if my tractor has no bypass? The heater that is glued to the oil pan is my second choice.Both of these are easy to install just have to pick one.
Bill