Happy Block Heater Day!

[TECH101]

Yes, you are right, the machines are designed to be started at those temperatures and they will if they are not faulty.

But the main purpose of pre-heating the engine, as I see it, is reduction of wear. A Volvo engineer stated that one cold start of an engine (petrol/gasoline) at -35°C (-31F) has the same wear as 15000km (9322 miles) driving with a warmed up engine. Also there is less strain on the starter motor and battery. It also helps starting if compression is not great any more in an old Diesel engine.

I used to have a water heater running with petrol in one of my cars. Maybe this is an option for tractors too because it does not require external electricity.

Well mechanics know that engineers are stupid

 

[Hugo Habicht]

Well mechanics know that engineers are stupid

This does not match my own observations. I dare to say it's the other way around. And maybe, with your obviously limited mental abilities, you missed the subtle fact that all vehicles and machines are being designed by engineers and not by mechanics.

And the tests done by Volvo design engineers are facts.

But you are certainly entitled to your opinion.

You have the honour of being the second person now on my "ignore" list, so no need to reply, I will not see it. The ignore function in this forum software is absolutely outstanding.

 

[McMXi]

Well mechanics know that engineers are stupid

Another new member with absolutely nothing of value to contribute.

 

[Hugo Habicht]

Another new member with absolutely nothing of value to contribute.

I could not agree more. Similar to that other guy that was the first one on my ignore list. Everything Kubota engineers did was bad design and he too knew everything better.

But the forum ignore function is really good, makes the offending person disappear completely. Helps reducing blood pressure and avoids nasty, unnecessary arguments that we do not need or want here.

 

[McMXi]

I could not agree more. Similar to that other guy that was the first one on my ignore list. Everything Kubota engineers did was bad design and he too knew everything better.

But the forum ignore function is really good, makes the offending person disappear completely. Helps reducing blood pressure and nasty, unnecessary arguments that we do not need or want here.

I don't use the ignore feature. I've never had a problem with conflict, and I can still learn from someone even if for the most part I disregard most of what they say. I don't need a "safe space".

 

[hedgerow]

I used to have a water heater running with petrol in one of my cars. Maybe this is an option for tractors too because it does not require external electricity.

Back in the 80's and 90's I had a couple semi tractors I installed Espar brand heater {run with diesel fuel} on because the drivers parked the trucks where using a plug in block heater wasn't an option.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

Well I am a very flawed individual and I am not taking the bait today to respond directly. It’s usually pretty clear when someone is off their meds (or a new dosage) and not sure what they are able to process.

that being said, this is an important enough topic, at least it’s in my manual, kubota thought it important enough to not only have a section on ‘starting Engine in Cold Weather’, but also a section that gives a shout out to ‘Block Heater’….pages 62, 63,64…it even has recommended warm up time based on ambient temperature.

when in doubt, check yer manual.

keep the rubber side down.

 

[TECH101]

Did all of those diesel engines have working glow plugs? As for working in the rental equipment business, as if any rental company in the history of the world has ever given a crap about the longevity of the equipment in their fleet. It gets used, abused and then sold off with all manner of tax write-off advantages.

Your "personal opinion and experience" don't mean a thing to me and my equipment. I've started cold diesels thousands of times in cold to very cold weather both with and without the use of a block heater. I know which is better and which both I, and more importantly, the engines prefer.

"a waste of time and money" .... seriously?! A block heater is cheap, electricity is cheap, rebuilding or replacing components that have failed prematurely is not. Using a block heater makes batteries last longer, starting motors last longer, glow plugs last longer, engine components last longer etc., but feel free to do whatever you want, just don't pass on your ignorance along to others since that sort of thing is highly contagious.

All the machines were well maintained and serviced correctly, some used glow plug system others used heaters and even air cooled applications. My point is in my opinion you don't need it and 90 % of equipment working in cold temperatures don't have one, its optional.

 

[Splinters and Sparks]

I didn't vote..... Don't have one on my new Kubota, and I would buy another one IF I still lived north of the Mason Dixon Line. But these days, if it's cold enough to use a block heater here, then I'd enjoy the work less anyway. It'll still be there when the temps come up.

 

[RCW]

I don’t have one on my BX2360.

After 14 winters, I’m okay without a block heater.

Rotella 5w-40 helps a lot, along with a decent battery tender.

 

[BruceMc]

My point is in my opinion you don't need it and 90 % of equipment working in cold temperatures don't have one, its optional.

About 99% of cars, trucks and equipment around here have a block heater (at a minimum). Standard in this part of the cold world. You don't say where your experience is, but the notion that you don't need one at -40 is silly.