Kubota M59 block heater install

[caballero59]

These comments have been helpful. I know I don't want to break the lines loose and remove the pump and it sounds like it can't be installed without removing it.

I can remove the engine cover and use a propane space heater to blow on the block for a bit or blow the hot air up at the pan where it would heat the oil which would even be better than heating the water.

 

[Billrog]

You can buy a heater that glues to the oil pan .

 

[newbury]

Or do what a lot of us retired folk do - if it's too cold, or raining, or too hot just leave it alone. There's always some other job to do.

 

[sixdogs]

...
I can remove the engine cover and use a propane space heater to blow on the block for a bit or blow the hot air up at the pan where it would heat the oil which would even be better than heating the water.

Waste of time. Won't work. Tried it. You could accidentally burn wires or fry electronics.

You can buy a heater that glues to the oil pan .

They don't work. Tried it.

Or do what a lot of us retired folk do - if it's too cold, or raining, or too hot just leave it alone. There's always some other job to do.

I think we have a winner here.
Either that or use synthetic oil and just turn the key and forget about it. It's a tractor designed for this type of activity. Honest.




EDIT--I'll add that I used to live in a very cold and wet climate and have seen many modern tractors, mostly Kubotas, started at well below zero, slammed into gear after 30 seconds, immediately worked hard and then done again the next day for years. Never saw one develop a problem.
Not that I would personally every do this without a warmup but have seen it many times. That's partly how I learned to love Kubotas.

 

[mike69440]

0-40w would not really help getting things turning at winter temps.

0W-40 on the other hand would be thin as 0 weight at 0 degrees C and still be 40 weight at 100C. A much better combination for winter work.

I'm sure it was 0W-40, Must have some serious additive package.

 

[caballero59]

Waste of time. Won't work. Tried it. You could accidentally burn wires or fry electronics.





They don't work. Tried it.





I think we have a winner here.
Either that or use synthetic oil and just turn the key and forget about it. It's a tractor designed for this type of activity. Honest.




EDIT--I'll add that I used to live in a very cold and wet climate and have seen many modern tractors, mostly Kubotas, started at well below zero, slammed into gear after 30 seconds, immediately worked hard and then done again the next day for years. Never saw one develop a problem.
Not that I would personally every do this without a warmup but have seen it many times. That's partly how I learned to love Kubotas.

Owner of a rental shop told me the same thing. He said it used to bother him how people treated his equipment, i.e, dig them out of a snow bank, put the jumper cables to them, and then wind'em out, but he said that he never really observed any damage from this specifically, other abuse, yes...

 

[rScotty]

I hear you loud and clear. It's not so much about getting it started but pampering it a little bit when its zero.

Ugh on the installation.... Mine came with the heater as part of the package Kubota offered the first year the M59 came out. So I missed out on that installation snafu.
Yes. I hear you on pampering the tractor. I like to do the same to mine. Although I haven't heard a single instance of starting them cold ever causing a problem, I can't find any advantage in subjecting the bearings and seals to such a wide temperature range more often than I have to. So I heat mine up for an hour or so when temps are around 0. If it's windy and blowing snow I'll even throw a tarp thrown over the hood to help out that rather small low wattage block heater.
I also like the idea of the radiator hose type. If doing it myself I'd probably do it that way.
rScotty

 

[mikester]

Don't go with the block heater - a PITA to instal. Use a radiator hose tank heater - easy to instal, provides good heat & circulation.

+1

Fewer problems this way in my experience and easier to fix/replace

I've seen magnetic block heaters you can attach to the oil pan/block. Has anyone tried one of these?

 

[sixdogs]

+1

Fewer problems this way in my experience and easier to fix/replace

I've seen magnetic block heaters you can attach to the oil pan/block. Has anyone tried one of these?

They don't work.

 

[Billrog]

Engine Oil pan 25 WATT KITT block heater WITH THERMAL SWITCH Truck & Car | eBay
Engine Heater-Silicone Heat Pad KATS 2415 | eBay
Come in different watts and sizes , do not work on ribbed pans also good for hydraulic reservoirs and they work just fine.