Which Block Heater for winter?

[jbrumberg]

Any heater that heats the circulating fluid will warm the entire block including the oil. [Convection currents and surface area contacted]

If in doubt about this measure some temperatures at various points on the block or use the hand as a thermometer.

I have done the "Egon Test" . Those lower radiator hose heaters really do work . Jay

 

[Reg]

I think I would spend some more time trying to fix the root cause first.
e.g. all battery, starter and ground connections that have probably grown some resistance over the years. Glow plugs, glow plug wiring, etc.
For a few bux and even fewer hours you can probably get it as good as it was when new.
I've always been of the opinion that heaters are just a cover-up for problems that need to be fixed eventually, whether on motorcycles, cars, trucks, tractors, whatever.
Having masked problems just adds to troubleshooting difficulty when something else starts to malfunction.
JMAO, etc.

 

[Egon]

[I think I would spend some more time trying to fix the root cause first.
e.g. all battery, starter and ground connections that have probably grown some resistance over the years. Glow plugs, glow plug wiring, etc.
For a few bux and even fewer hours you can probably get it as good as it was when new.
I've always been of the opinion that heaters are just a cover-up for problems that need to be fixed eventually, whether on motorcycles, cars, trucks, tractors, whatever.
Having masked problems just adds to troubleshooting difficulty when something else starts to malfunction.
JMAO, etc./QUOTE]

Yes, that is the way to start but in colder areas those engine heating aids are surely a Boone to getting them going.

 

[Mech]

I use a JD block heater (screws into the water jacket on the side of the block) on my 790 and it goes from taking 20-30 seconds of intake heat plus a bit of cranking and then a lot of smoke to one turn of the key and its running smoothly w/o smoke.

 

[JB4310]

I use a JD block heater (screws into the water jacket on the side of the block) on my 790 and it goes from taking 20-30 seconds of intake heat plus a bit of cranking and then a lot of smoke to one turn of the key and its running smoothly w/o smoke.

Yup, that's what I want to hear.

As far as doing maintenance goes that's already been done, this engine is just more tired than it should be for it's age/hours, I notice it's burning a little oil also, the company I bought it from worked it hard with an over sized pto driven Harley rake.
Though it doesn't whirl over with the starter, it cranks pretty good, just trouble getting it to smooth idle, it'll stall 2-3-4 times while sputtering and stumbling trying to keep going.

I don't agree that a heater is just covering up problems, except that no your battery is not 100% after 2-3 years. In my moderately cold region ya you could get by without a heater most days, but it sure helps and has to be aiding with cold start wear issues. in the colder regions I don't think it's an option and would be a necessity just to get going.

JB.

 

[ragkar]

I'm using a 'battery blanket' this one
Phillips & Temro Blanket-style Battery Warmer : JC Whitney: Auto Parts & Accessories
on mine. I put a charger on it this fall to top it off.
This blanket is only 50 watts, but I save even on that because I have a thermostat that powers it only when the temperature drops below 40 degrees.

 

[Ford850]

Yup, that's what I want to hear.

As far as doing maintenance goes that's already been done, this engine is just more tired than it should be for it's age/hours, I notice it's burning a little oil also, the company I bought it from worked it hard with an over sized pto driven Harley rake.
Though it doesn't whirl over with the starter, it cranks pretty good, just trouble getting it to smooth idle, it'll stall 2-3-4 times while sputtering and stumbling trying to keep going.

I don't agree that a heater is just covering up problems, except that no your battery is not 100% after 2-3 years. In my moderately cold region ya you could get by without a heater most days, but it sure helps and has to be aiding with cold start wear issues. in the colder regions I don't think it's an option and would be a necessity just to get going.

JB.

I agree with you that it is not covering up problems too. While, yes, the tractor does start on most cold days, the block heater makes a world of difference when it is below 30. Starts just like in the summer. Without it, it is tough on the engine until it gets going, especially when it's below 10. I'm usually not plowing snow when it's zero or 10 below, but the block heater is cheap insurance. If I'm snowed in and the temp is 10 below, and God forbid I have an emergency and NEED to get out of my drive, it's nice to know it will start and be warmed up in no time.

 

[wedge40]

I think I would spend some more time trying to fix the root cause first.
e.g. all battery, starter and ground connections that have probably grown some resistance over the years. Glow plugs, glow plug wiring, etc.
For a few bux and even fewer hours you can probably get it as good as it was when new.
I've always been of the opinion that heaters are just a cover-up for problems that need to be fixed eventually, whether on motorcycles, cars, trucks, tractors, whatever.
Having masked problems just adds to troubleshooting difficulty when something else starts to malfunction.
JMAO, etc.

You're not going to cause any damage using one of these heaters, and I dont know about anyone else, but when it's cold outside I hate sitting there cranking a tractor trying to get it to start. Not to mention the extra wear and tear on the starter and battery.

I did notice that Reg doesn't have his location listed.

I can remember going to St Paul MN for meetings in the winter time and walking into the building and seeing rows of batteries lined up so they were at peak power when they went to go home in the evening. Thought it was weird till my rental wouldn't start on afternoon.

Wedge

 

[Mech]

You may burn the element up. I left mine plugged in for several months and my element shorted, blew a breaker and I had to replace it.

 

[Ken_CT]

I don't think the block heater is covering up any problems under normal situations. When I first got my Kubota I didn't have a heater. It always started with no problem in the cold. It sounded terrible, banging and clanking like it was going to blow up, but always started. After I put in the heater it started up faster and sounded fine. I'm not a mechanic, but I think that when something sounds that bad on start-up it can't be good for it.

 

[WilliamBos]

If this one circulates water it would be considered one of the best.

Otherwise go for the Freeze plug [ I know that is not the right term] heater or the lower radiator one.

The dipstick heater suggests volumes just by it's name.

The magnetic oil pan ones will work but heating the coolant will do a better job of getting the whole engine block warm. This also heats the oil ehh!

Exactly!! Get the BLOCK HEATER, the frost plug one!!

 

[Northland]

Where we live in Northern Ontario -20C or colder is common so I have block heaters, on timers, for my wife's car and my truck even though they are both in an unheated garage.

My tractor has a block heater but I also use a Katz magnetic heater in conjunction with the block heater. I place it on the underside of the hydraulic fluid tank of the tractor. 1 to 2 hours like this and my tractor is ready to go in minutes even at -30C.

Up here in the north block heaters save a lot of wear and tear and get you operational that much faster.

 

[Northland]

Sorry JB, I forgot to give my answer to your question.

Having both a block heater and the magnetic heater now, if I only could have one, I would choose the magnetic heater due to it's versatility in being able to place it anywhere.

 

[JB4310]

Update, I went with the lower radiator heater. it's only 375 watts but after only about 1/2 an hour the block felt warm to the touch, they recommend 2 hours min and up to 5 hours to get max heat rise of 60* over outside temp.
Got it from Pep Boys for $ 29.99, came with a 3 ft cord, easy install. this one is for 1.25" hose, the ones for 1.5" and 1.75" are 600 watts. put a new hose in at the same time also 30 bucks. Just installed it today so haven't tried it yet with a cold start but I think it's gonna help alot.
JB.

 

[al b]

That looks good. I need to do the same to mine.

 

[Diamondpilot]

My vote is for a lower rad hose heater. I put one on and cant believe I lived with out it. I had a mag heater and a dipstick heater and they were worthless.

Chris

 

[Northland]

Looks good JB-for $30 you can't go wrong

 

[jbrumberg]

My vote is for a lower rad hose heater. I put one on and cant believe I lived with out it. I had a mag heater and a dipstick heater and they were worthless.

Chris

I did the same thing to my old Ford 1100 years ago. What a difference in starting ! Good job JB . Jay

 

[JB4310]

Update, After having some cold temps to test this heater out.
They told me 2 hours min on time, but it seems after 2 hours it doesn't get any warmer, after 2 hrs everything is warm the whole block and top of the radiator.
Even after just 1 hour the tractor fires right up, better than it did in the fall with much milder temps.

Seems to be just what this machine needed to be happy, I'm happy to

 

[studor]

On mine I turn on the key after about fifteen minutes to see if the temp guage has moved -- it usually has -- and then it will fire up like it's summer time. Even an hour seems like a long time but may be it needs it -- try the temp guage thing
regards
Steve