Should I install a block heater?

[bp fick]

Philip,

I've only had two Kubota tractors, so my comments are only based on them. My BX fired right up at -30 with no block heater needed whatsoever. Kubotas are fairly well known as good, cold weather starters. No doubt. But my goodness, the racket of a D722 engine starting at -30F sounds awful!!! It sounded like ball bearing were bouncing around in it. A problem? Probably not one bit, except to my sensibilities. It gave me the heebie jeebies.

However, when I got the B2320, one option I absolutely wanted with the block heater. It had nothing to do with its ability to actually start as I wasn't worried about that.

It's just that I promised my new D1005 I'd never do that to it.

 

[ayelvington]

Get the block heater.

Get an all weather time if you have a predictable schedule and let it heat for an hour before you get there. Mine lets me get to plowing snow in the a.m. with a clear conscience.

They are cheap and effective insurance against engine wear.

 

[kuboman]

This is all very interesting to one who lives north of the 49th. I don't now nor have ever owned a diesel new or not that will fire right up at -20F after it has been cold soaked for several days. A block heater is a necessity and if there is room two block heaters plus an oil pan heater.

 

[5030]

5 am. Below zero. 10" of snow to push with more coming. Plug in the block heater, go do your morning S.S.S., have a second cup of coffee with some toast, blab a bit on TBN, check your email, watch a weather radar or two, and 2 hours have passed and it's 7 a.m. and it's finally getting light enough to see. Glow the plugs for 4 Mississippi's and she roars to life. The temp gauge is already up 1/3. Priceless.

Both mine stay in the Clearspan and I follow your routine minus the block heaters. I run 5-40 Rotella in the winter. Go start them, 15 seconds on the glow plugs if below 0. If above zero no glow, just a sliightly longer crank.

I let 'em idle while I go back inside for coffee and my morning sabatical and then I'm ready to go out. The cab is warm, the fm is tuned to my favorite hillbilly station and I'm ready to clear the road.

Kubota's start well in cold temperatures becaue the injection pump has an internal mechanical fuel advance that gives 100% fuel until the engine fires. That and the high base compression ratio makes for good cold weather starts.

 

[WilliamBos]

This is all very interesting to one who lives north of the 49th. I don't now nor have ever owned a diesel new or not that will fire right up at -20F after it has been cold soaked for several days. A block heater is a necessity and if there is room two block heaters plus an oil pan heater.

Some will start without a block heater, others won't. Just need to know which tractor you have, one that will, or one that won't. Intentionally cold started ours, just to see if it would, and it did. If you are talking about those magnetic oil Pan heaters, they are nothing more than a novelty, not worth the time, especially on a cast iron pan.

 

[5030]

Some will start without a block heater, others won't. Just need to know which tractor you have, one that will, or one that won't. Intentionally cold started ours, just to see if it would, and it did. If you are talking about those magnetic oil Pan heaters, they are nothing more than a novelty, not worth the time, especially on a cast iron pan.

I haven't seen a cast iron pan on a tractor in 30 years. The only cast iron pan I know of is the one the missus makes my eggs in for breakfast.

 

[kuboman]

Some will start without a block heater, others won't. Just need to know which tractor you have, one that will, or one that won't. Intentionally cold started ours, just to see if it would, and it did. If you are talking about those magnetic oil Pan heaters, they are nothing more than a novelty, not worth the time, especially on a cast iron pan.

I'm talking the kind you glue to the bottom of the pan and are sized to the oil capacity.
As for which one will or not start. Of the 25 diesels I have there is not one that will start after a minus 20 F cold soaking of at least 48 hrs. Enough ether and a line up of batteries for jumping and ya they will go but then what have I proven.
-20 in an enclosed building and sitting over night after running is not a test of how well and engine will start.

 

[Deano]

Good luch with your decision, you only have to satisfy yourself! Philip.

As it should be!!

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Rfisher7381

OK next decision do I need a cab for that snowblower............YES:laughing:

 

[Rfisher7381]

Rfisher7381

OK next decision do I need a cab for that snowblower............YES:laughing:

That is a given Blew snow with my old Cub Cadet for a few years without a cab. Installing the cab was a huge improvement.