Space Heater for Tractor...??

[JDGreenGrass]

I am thinking of getting a space heater for my un-insulated garage where my tractor sits.

I want it for 2 reasons.....tell me if this makes sense.

1) To melt the ice and snow away and off the tractor after cleaning up from the storms.

2) A heater to "point" at the tractor to warm it up before cranking it over in cold temperatures.

Am I on the right track here or do I have one wheel in the ditch.??

 

[rus_geek]

Well, if you melt the snow, but don't dry it off and the water freezes as a layer of ice, are you better or worse off? My tractor is parked in a tarp garage, so I'm just leaving the snow build-up as it gathers. Trying to keep all the cylinders fully retracted so I don't have problems with ice or rust on the rods.

As for preheating when starting, you'd probably be better off with an actual engine heater that would heat *inside* the engine, rather than trying to heat it from the outside.

-rus-

 

[Redneck in training]

Well, if you melt the snow, but don't dry it off and the water freezes as a layer of ice, are you better or worse off? My tractor is parked in a tarp garage, so I'm just leaving the snow build-up as it gathers. Trying to keep all the cylinders fully retracted so I don't have problems with ice or rust on the rods.

As for preheating when starting, you'd probably be better off with an actual engine heater that would heat *inside* the engine, rather than trying to heat it from the outside.

-rus-

And it will cost less money to buy and operate not speaking about fire hazard.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

I think it's a good idea. I used to do something similar with my service vehicle in an unheated garage. I put a torpedo heater on one of those Christmas light timers. If I was leaving at 5 a.m., I would set it to come on at 3 a.m. Didn't have to leave it on all the time and it was warm when I needed it.

 

[Ductape]

I use a multi-fuel torpedo heater in my unheated barn. I start it 45 minutes or so before its time to go clearing snow. Works well for me.

 

[brandoro]

I would say brush off as much snow as you can before you put it away and get a block heater. A 300-400 watt block heater will put more heat into the engine in an hour than a several thousand BTU external heater will and no chance of melting any wires or other soft parts or starting a fire.
A heater like you describe will warm the air up fairly fast but will put very little heat into things like engine blocks and transmissions unless it is on for several hours.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Well, maybe a combination of the two. A magnetic block heater to pre-warm the engine oil on a timer for a couple of hours to aid in starting. And a space heater to melt the snow off when you're done clearing snow. Just don't leave it on unattended for too long. I think the melt will run off, so I don't think it will re-freeze enough to cause a problem.

The costs to experiment aren't too awfully bad. A magnetic block heater can be bought for about $30 plus shipping and maybe bought locally as well. I bought a kerosene space heater a couple of years ago from Tractor Supply and I think it cost about $130. It would come in handy for other heat uses even if it wasn't effective for melting the snow off the machine.

 

[Will_C]

I do the same-my tractor is stored in an old shed. My BX did not have a block heater, so I would carry the space heater down and heat the tractor for 20 minutes or so before I started it. Then I would take the heater back to my unheated, but weather tight garage and let it run while I plowed. It was a great place to get warm without going in the house. I would park the tractor in there for the rest of day (heater off0 and let it dry out while I was at work.
My new B has a block heater, so I will do the same thing, but not have to carry the space heater down to the shed.

Will

 

[JDGreenGrass]

Good replies. You all got me thinking.

What is a block heater.?? I have heard the term a hundred times over but I honestly don't know what it looks like or how it installs.

The tip about a space heater blowing on the rubber and hoses and other soft parts is a consideration. Good point.

Not as concerned about melting the ice and snow as I am about getting the tractor warm for a good start.

I should add that the tractor does have a cold weather start at the ignition key.

Do any of you start your tractor on cold days, even if you're not going to use it.?? It is not unusual for us to have a week of -20F with daytime highs in the single digits, sometimes daytime highs sub-0.

 

[Deadman]

If its -20 outside, it shouldn't be nearly that cold inside the garage, but maybe if its not insulated......
I would go with Engine heater.

 

[jenkinsph]

JDGG,
I would go with a block heater Deere's part # AR 87167 for the 770 tractor. Call your dealer and inquire about it.

 

[bigdad]

Good replies. You all got me thinking.

What is a block heater.?? I have heard the term a hundred times over but I honestly don't know what it looks like or how it installs.

The tip about a space heater blowing on the rubber and hoses and other soft parts is a consideration. Good point.

Not as concerned about melting the ice and snow as I am about getting the tractor warm for a good start.

I should add that the tractor does have a cold weather start at the ignition key.

Do any of you start your tractor on cold days, even if you're not going to use it.?? It is not unusual for us to have a week of -20F with daytime highs in the single digits, sometimes daytime highs sub-0.

From my military experiences in New England, I would think that any kind of heat would aid in starting your tractor.

I personally like my block heater. I had my dealer install it for a little amount of money. The timer idea sounds good too. About an hour before cranking it over makes a world of difference. Keep in mind block heaters don't do anything for your hydraulic system. Let it run for a while and get the "Juices" flowing good. Good luck.

BD

 

[rpraymond]

My tractor is stored in a unheated garage and I use a block heater that is always plugged in for the winter. Even on the coldest days it starts right up with a noticable reduced strain on the system and heat in the cab within a few minutes. Plus it's always ready when I need it. I've been doing this for the three years I've had it with no problems.

 

[greg_g]

What is a block heater.??

There are several kinds "block" heaters

• radiator hose - requires cutting the lower radiator hose and splicing in heater
• freeze plug - requires removing one of the engine's frost plugs and replacing it with a heating element
• block heater - requires a large threaded hole in the engine somewhere that it can screw into
• tank heater - splices into heater hoses (but most tractors don't have heaters)
• magnetic heaters - inefficient
• dipstick heaters - inefficient and potentially dangerous
• oil pan heaters - my preferred choice, simple clean/peel/stick/seal installation process.

//greg//

 

[Egon]

Images for Block heater and a lower radiator hose in line heater.

You can also cover the tractor with a tarp and place a small electric heater with fan under the tarp. You must be carefully on placement and stability of the heater. This method works surprising well. I have used an in car electric heater for this purpose.

 

[MikeD74T]

JD, Pick up a used hot air furnace from a mobile home, oil or gas, and you'll have something that will heat your shop quickly and give you a place to work as well as warming your tractor. Mobile home furnaces work especially well because the air flows down & out the bottom keeping the heat toward the floor. MikeD74T

 

[GPintheMitten]

Here's an example of a magnetic block heater. Lists for $30 plus shipping. This is just one of many. I like that you can unplug it and take it off the oil pan and nothing is attached to the tractor. I put one on my Christmas list.

Kats 1153 Handi-Heat 200 Watt Magnetic Heater

Product Features

* Convenient size makes for flexible applications - approx. 8 sq. inches
* Three prong grounded plug - 110 volt
* 300 - 400 Degree output
* Use for engine blocks, oil pans, intake manifolds and other engine applications

 

[greg_g]

From personal experience, that little 200w Kats heater is wholly inadequate for anything bigger than a lawn mower/pump/generator/etc. The 350w ain't much better. The only thing (on the tractor) small enough for the 200w to be useful was the starter housing. Otherwise - given the amount of coolant, engine oil, transmission oil, hydraulic fluid - it was completely useless.

//greg//

 

[Diamondpilot]

I will second what others say about the mag heater. I bought one because it was easy. What a worthless piece of junk. All it did was lighten my wallet. I have since put in a lower rad heater and after 30 minutes it has my engine block over 100 deg.

Chris

 

[Dirtnut]

I agree this kats tank circulater has worked perfectly for seven years now.