MX5400/MX6000 Engine Block Heater

   / MX5400/MX6000 Engine Block Heater #1  

bunkydad

Bronze Member
Joined
May 4, 2012
Messages
59
Location
Kingston, New York
Tractor
Kubota L3560 and Mx5400
I was hoping to install an engine block heater on my MX6000 that is used for moving firewood and snowplowing. We've had a few nights when the morning temps are below freezing and the tractor started HARD on those mornings.

My old L3560 had an engine block heater that made it a little easier to start after that cold nights.

When I called the dealer to ask for the proper part number, he told me that the MX 5400/6000 do not recommend engine block heaters for startup.

I searched a bunch of the Kubota sites and they have a number of block heaters listed but none of them show that they fit the Mx5400/6000 tractors.

It shows this model:#70000-00297 Block Heater Kit but under the 'fits models' dropdown, the MX5400/6000 is not listed.

Thoughts? I find it weird that Kubota would not offer the block heater for those tractors.

Thank you in advance.
 
   / MX5400/MX6000 Engine Block Heater #2  
Searched MX5400 heater and found this through Kubota
 

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   / MX5400/MX6000 Engine Block Heater #3  
Searched MX5400 heater and found this through Kubota

That part number is for the engine itself, drilling down from that page:
IMG_4692.jpg

This is the same heater I put in my L4060 9 years ago, a driven in bushing and threaded heater. The heater element does not extend beyond the bushing, so there are no block clearance issues.
 
   / MX5400/MX6000 Engine Block Heater #4  
That part number is for the engine itself, drilling down from that page:
View attachment 2514530
This is the same heater I put in my L4060 9 years ago, a driven in bushing and threaded heater. The heater element does not extend beyond the bushing, so there are no block clearance issues.
Yes, exactly. It didn't post tge whole picture, but it shows it as tge same kit mentioned
 
   / MX5400/MX6000 Engine Block Heater
  • Thread Starter
#5  
That's the one I thought would work, but the parts tech told me that it's not recommended for the MX5400/6000 series tractor. Can that be right?
 
   / MX5400/MX6000 Engine Block Heater #6  
That's the one I thought would work, but the parts tech told me that it's not recommended for the MX5400/6000 series tractor. Can that be right?
Might be. It looks like the spud is a machined plumbing part without exterior threads.
So how does it mount into the block??
Is this is a type of adapter that is made to be driven into the block after the freeze plug was removed? And held by friction?
Not sure I would want to do that to our Kubota.

How about an in-hose heater instead? Or a lamp.
 
   / MX5400/MX6000 Engine Block Heater #7  
I was hoping to install an engine block heater on my MX6000 that is used for moving firewood and snowplowing. We've had a few nights when the morning temps are below freezing and the tractor started HARD on those mornings.
I have a MX5800 HST and I've started it in temps down to 0F. I've had 6 other Kubota's and they all were good cold starters. I've always used battery maintainers though, so that may make a difference. I also use 5W 30 engine oil and SUDT2 hydro oil in the trans.

One trick I found with the Kubota's is to let the glow plugs continue to heat for a few seconds after the display indicator goes out before cranking.

There was an option for a block heater on the 5800 when I bought it but the dealer said I didn't need it. I'm not sure of the difference between the 5800 and 6000 though and the 5800 heater may not fit.
 
   / MX5400/MX6000 Engine Block Heater
  • Thread Starter
#8  
Thank you. I'll get battery maintainers on them and let them cycle for longer.
 
   / MX5400/MX6000 Engine Block Heater #9  
Oil pan heaters on the engine and transaxle help a lot.

Some of the engines with electronic engine management systems get confused by the hot water in the engine water jacket, and fail to enrich the mixture for starting, which makes them harder to start cold.

Using the glue on oil pan heaters help a lot with the cold start without overwarming the water-jacket.
 

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