Heater to aid winter starting

David H · Aug 3, 2019

North Idaho Wolfman suggested I try a water jacket heater.
None is available for my L185.
I thought of a magnetic heater but not enough flat on cast iron oil pan.
Next was a torpedo heater but saw an electric heater that tilts and has a fan to direct the air to where I would need it.
Was wondering if anyone has tried this to warm engine prior to starting.
Thanks David
PS once a long time ago I had a heating pad atop of the engine and our cat loved it....

nbryan · Aug 3, 2019

My B2650, bought here in Manitoba, came with a block heater factory installed. The little 3 cylinder takes only an hour to benefit from block heating in -30C weather, starts smoother and less black smoke. Yes I use the glow plugs for 10-20 seconds as well in those conditions.

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Daren Todd · Aug 3, 2019

I used to throw a blanket over my motor cycle and a heat lamp under the bike for cold weather starts when I was in my late teens

I've had customers do similar to keep the rental pumps from freezing up in sub artic weather with a tarp and small electric heater.

Doesn't take a large heat source if the enclosed space is small enough. So your heater should work if it's in an enclosed building and the heat source can be directed close to the target area.

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skeets · Aug 4, 2019

Dave some place in my age addled mind, I recall seeing a water heater that went into the I think, return line for the radiator . You cut the hose put the coupler in and installed the heater. I may well be thinking of something else so take it with a grain of salt

michigander · Aug 4, 2019

Years ago we had a car that didn't like to start when temps go below 0 I used to leave a trouble light on under the hood that little bit of heat did wonders

dlundblad · Aug 4, 2019

I would say either an in-line water heater that hooks up to your radiator hose or a freeze plug style block heater.

vic gerbasi · Aug 4, 2019

put an inline water heater in==available in most auto supply shops easy install and works great in the great white north

Thunder Fish · Aug 4, 2019

I use a 220 Volt 4000 watt heater blowing on the side of the engine,the glow plugs dont work,mine is a late 70's Grey market 25 hp,I am looking at an in line water heater also.
It only gets down to -30 ish here and the tractor is in a enclosed insulated shed so every thing is warmed up with in hour or so.

D2Cat · Aug 4, 2019

If you're looking for something for when you're in a pinch, as long as you have 110V available you can use a heat gun with it aimed at the intake manifold. Takes only a minute.

North Idaho Wolfman · Aug 4, 2019

David H said:
North Idaho Wolfman suggested I try a water jacket heater.
None is available for my L185.
I thought of a magnetic heater but not enough flat on cast iron oil pan.
Next was a torpedo heater but saw an electric heater that tilts and has a fan to direct the air to where I would need it.
Was wondering if anyone has tried this to warm engine prior to starting.
Thanks David
PS once a long time ago I had a heating pad atop of the engine and our cat loved it....

There is a Freeze plug heater available for that model, but it requires an adapter and they can be a little tricky to fit in.

If you give me the freeze plug hole size I can see if the adapter is available.

I have several hose line heaters, a few are still new, but they all work, give me the size of the hose Outside dimensions will work, and I should have one to fit it.
Send me a PM with your details and I'll send one up to ya.

lugbolt · Aug 4, 2019

Used to have a Toyota Corolla (1975 I think it was) that would NOT start if it was below 20 degrees outside. Many late nights I'd grab a pan and put some charcoal in it, light it, and put it under the oil pan after the flames died off. Problem solved. Good thing it didn't have any fuel leaks but it was such a pile of junk car that it wouldn't bother me if it'd burnt. Not a single straight body panel and no part of any metal wasn't rusty in some way.

--glad I don't live there anymore.

Bulldog · Aug 4, 2019

We used dip stick heaters on our combines years ago. Soon as the warm oil pumped through the engine it would fire right up.

D2Cat · Aug 4, 2019

I have a dipstick heater hanging on the wall, and it's rated 75W (I think). It's pretty useless unless it is installed just as you shut off the engine to help keep it somewhat warmer. That's why it's hanging on the wall!

Bulldog · Aug 5, 2019

We'd plug ours in at the end of the day and leave them on all night. Worked really good for us.

David H · Aug 14, 2019

Thank you to all that have responded.
I checked on dipstick heaters and they will not work on my unit as the solenoid is directly above dipstick.
I will switch to 5W-40 Rotella T6 oil and hope that helps over 15W-40.
Today I cleaned and reinstalled the battery terminals.
I still have time before winter.
Still thinking about portable heater.
Thanks To North Idaho Wolfman about block and hose heaters.
I do not know how to do PM.
David

Muzzy · Aug 14, 2019

How about a magnetic oil pan heater, heater secures to bottom of oil pan, have a few buddies use them, they really like.. I have a block heater installed, works so good.

North Idaho Wolfman · Aug 14, 2019

Muzzy said:
How about a magnetic oil pan heater, heater secures to bottom of oil pan, have a few buddies use them, they really like.. I have a block heater installed, works so good.

That's an iffy option on many kubota's, some have aluminum pans, some have too little of flat space, do to the drive shaft splitting the pan.

edritchey · Aug 15, 2019

I had the Dealer install a block heater and it works great We have been using them for years in our service trucks it's probably the best way to go.

GreensvilleJay · Aug 15, 2019

An inline lower rad hose heater is probably the best solution.
1) it's the least invasive of the options. easy to install and if it fails, only a simple sleeve or new rad hose to put tractor back to factory specs.

2)all the energy goes INTO the engine. 'external' heaters will lose a lot of heat before getting INTO the engine

Anything you can do to keep the heat in and the wind OUT is a BIG help. Even if stored inside, a tarp enclosing the tractor ,down to the floor will help.

If you go electric, run power through a timer,set for 2 hrs before you plan to normally use tractor. If it 'grunts', increase to 3 hrs. You'll soon figure out the best compromise between time and not wasting $$ on energy !

Jay

mattwithcats · Aug 15, 2019

A Delongi space heater has an “antifreeze” setting, “*” on the dial.

I use one in my shed to keep the pipes from freezing...

https://www.delonghi.com/en-us/products/comfort/portable-heating/radiant-heaters

Heater to aid winter starting

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