Should I install a block heater?

[grsthegreat]

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.

I agree with you. i live in north Idaho, and i really done want to damage my engine in the cold. Sure it might start, but its not good to do this on a very cold day. Pre-heating the oil just seems like a logical thing to do. I also understand that a tractor out in the Forest on a timber project cant plug in and needs ether to start. then again, Ive seen what these pieces of equipment look like in 5 years, and i don't want mine to blow black smoke all day long. A 250 watt heater costs me less than 2 cents per hour to operate, so whats the big deal. Running the tractor for 15-20 minutes to warm up costs alot more $$$$,

 

[taborekle]

If it were me, the deciding factor it would revolve around wether the tractor was out in the weather, or stored inside (pole barn, shed, garage...).

On my B2920, I've found that having it in my unheated garage seems to make a marked difference in tempreture, between inside and outside.

And I've never had a problem starting my Kubota. For the first 2 years I did not know the keyposition for the preheater, so I never used them, yet the tractor started up each and every time.

So if it's inside (anything), you shouldn't need a engine block heater, if it's outside, then yes.

 

[peterc38]

I agree with you. i live in north Idaho, and i really done want to damage my engine in the cold. Sure it might start, but its not good to do this on a very cold day. Pre-heating the oil just seems like a logical thing to do. I also understand that a tractor out in the Forest on a timber project cant plug in and needs ether to start. then again, Ive seen what these pieces of equipment look like in 5 years, and i don't want mine to blow black smoke all day long. A 250 watt heater costs me less than 2 cents per hour to operate, so whats the big deal. Running the tractor for 15-20 minutes to warm up costs alot more $$$$,

Amen to that!!!:thumbsup:

 

[tungularafishcamp]

Just listening to my tractor idle the first couple of minutes after I start it in cold weather(it starts great either plugged in or not down to -40)but just listening to it run those first couple of minutes makes me plug it in now whenever I can even if it isn't that cold.
Rick

 

[Egon]

[/QUOTE]So if it's inside (anything), you shouldn't need a engine block heater, if it's outside, then yes./QUOTE]

If the enclosure is not heated; inside and outside temperatures will be the same.

 

[grsthegreat]

So if it's inside (anything), you shouldn't need a engine block heater, if it's outside, then yes./QUOTE]

If the enclosure is not heated; inside and outside temperatures will be the same.[/quote]

yes and no...my garage is unheated but stays warmer than outside. And my enclosed shop feels warmer then outside..but thats probibly due to wind chill. My tractor is in an open ended lean to, no heat. BURRRR

 

[PHILIP8N]

Is your garage attached to the house?

 

[johnk]

Get a block heater from Kubota and install it. They install easy and are cheap insurance on that tractor lasting a lifetime. Makes me feel better that I have and use one and I am sure it helps the ttractor out in the long run. JMO.

 

[5030]

Just listening to my tractor idle the first couple of minutes after I start it in cold weather(it starts great either plugged in or not down to -40)but just listening to it run those first couple of minutes makes me plug it in now whenever I can even if it isn't that cold.
Rick

The cackle is compression at work. Nothing else.

So if it's inside (anything), you shouldn't need a engine block heater, if it's outside, then yes./QUOTE]

If the enclosure is not heated; inside and outside temperatures will be the same.[/QUOTE]

If the tractor is inside an enclosure (like my Clearspan), the inside temperature is about what it is outside with an important consideration....Inside the unit is out of the wind and resultant windchill which causes hard cold starts

Get a block heater from Kubota and install it. They install easy and are cheap insurance on that tractor lasting a lifetime. Makes me feel better that I have and use one and I am sure it helps the ttractor out in the long run. JMO.

My 2 cost as much as 6 of yours and I have no need for a block heater. I never have in ther last 13 Kubota's I've owned.

 

[Don87]

A word of advice to those that have block heaters.

Just because the coolant is warm(which is all the block heater does), doesn't mean your engine oil is warm(which sits in the pan below the block), and it doesn't mean your hydraulic oil is warm.

The hydraulic oil needs to be warmed also(especially in a hydro machine), or serious damage can result.

I only mention this because sometimes people have the misconception that since the engine starts easy, we can start and go. Such is not the case.