Surprised how much block heater helps starting diesel

   / Surprised how much block heater helps starting diesel #11  
Of course I have no idea if this applies to the way you use a block heater.
It is imperative that the heater not be in use when the tractor is running. Unplug the heater before starting and plug it in after shutdown.

I don't remember for sure, but that's probably what I'm doing wrong, thanks.
 
   / Surprised how much block heater helps starting diesel
  • Thread Starter
#12  
My old L275 wouldn't start at that temp without some type of prewarmer. I went through about 1/2 dozen block heaters in the 15 years that I had it. The last one I swapped out in -10'F with the wind howling... it never worked. It was a PITA, every time I had to partially pull the radiator to change it; I finally got tired of changing them and started using a space heater. My 3301 came with a frost plug style heater which only worked once... I'm still not sure what I'm doing wrong.


I could be mistaken, yet believe they also prolong the life of your engine and battery.

The last thing I used did not allow any type of heater. I used electric space heaters and heat bulbs. If it was lower than -5 outside I would not even bother trying to start it.

It sounds like your tractor is not completely protected from the wind. Wind will suck heat away making any form of heat less efficient. Radiator heaters and hose heaters, from what I understand, are less efficient than block heaters. They also make oil heaters from what I understand. You might try a pad heater, I put one of these on my HST to help warm my hydro oil that might help Amazon.com: ABN Silicone Heater Pad Car Battery Heater Pad Engine Block Heater Pad Oil Pan Heater Pad, 4x5 Inch – 12V 25 Watt: Automotive
 
   / Surprised how much block heater helps starting diesel #13  
The last thing I used did not allow any type of heater. I used electric space heaters and heat bulbs. If it was lower than -5 outside I would not even bother trying to start it.

It sounds like your tractor is not completely protected from the wind. Wind will suck heat away making any form of heat less efficient. Radiator heaters and hose heaters, from what I understand, are less efficient than block heaters. They also make oil heaters from what I understand. You might try a pad heater, I put one of these on my HST to help warm my hydro oil that might help Amazon.com: ABN Silicone Heater Pad Car Battery Heater Pad Engine Block Heater Pad Oil Pan Heater Pad, 4x5 Inch 12V 25 Watt: Automotive

My experience with pad heaters or magnetic heaters, is that they are not worth the time it takes to attach them.
 
   / Surprised how much block heater helps starting diesel
  • Thread Starter
#14  
Of course I have no idea if this applies to the way you use a block heater.
It is imperative that the heater not be in use when the tractor is running. Unplug the heater before starting and plug it in after shutdown.

:) I have a ritual I have to go through before starting my tractor. I have my battery tender wire and extension cords for heaters run through hooks so that the hang down right above the seat of the tractor so that I can't forget to unplug them before I start the tractor. I have read several comments here from those that forgot to unplug something before driving away with some serious consequences.
 
   / Surprised how much block heater helps starting diesel
  • Thread Starter
#15  
My experience with pad heaters or magnetic heaters, is that they are not worth the time it takes to attach them.

I don't know if the pad heater is actually doing me any good, I don't really depend on it and still warm the tractor as recommended in the owners manual base on the temp, but I figure a little extra warmth won't hurt. And the one I linked gets extremely hot, it cycles on and off. I figure it can't hurt anything.
 
   / Surprised how much block heater helps starting diesel #16  
I have an older Kubota 5 cyl direct injection that starts up easily without glow plugs. We do not get much real cold weather here but it starts like a car down into the teens (DegF). It has glow olugs but I have never used them.
 
   / Surprised how much block heater helps starting diesel #17  
Heated or not having the tractor inside a building in cold weather makes them start much easier.
My experience 1 hour plugged in with a decent block heater makes starting much easier.
Newer diesels usually start much easier than the old ones.
Glow plugs are great when used properly
I have seen newer Diesel engines that will start perfectly sitting outside not even plugged in -10 degree weather
 
   / Surprised how much block heater helps starting diesel #18  
Anyone heat their transmission? Been thinking of using a magnetic heater to do that to speed up warmup time on an older HST.
 
   / Surprised how much block heater helps starting diesel
  • Thread Starter
#19  
Anyone heat their transmission? Been thinking of using a magnetic heater to do that to speed up warmup time on an older HST.
I posted a link to the pad heater I use. Magnetic heater won't work on mine because the transmission is aluminum. But yes, I heat my transmission as well. I don't think about it as speeding up the warmup time, I think of it has getting extra warm up time to ensure I don't have issues because of cold oil.
 
   / Surprised how much block heater helps starting diesel #20  
I posted a link to the pad heater I use. Magnetic heater won't work on mine because the transmission is aluminum. But yes, I heat my transmission as well. I don't think about it as speeding up the warmup time, I think of it has getting extra warm up time to ensure I don't have issues because of cold oil.

I see your post now, I cannot keep up with all the posts. Thank you.
 

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