Operating the Engine Heater

[gssixgun]

In this thread a couple of statements caught my attention

http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9529

So I wanted to ask directly about the Engine Heater, I haven't found the answer here or in the Manual..

My Tractor sits in a Pole Barn 24/7/365 it has cover but the barn is not heated..
Reading the manual says the the engine heater should be used at -4°F and below..

My question is, Will it harm anything to leave the heater plugged in all the time ???

I normally have to hit the road at 5:00 am to make sure it is clear for the Wife to head out to work by 8am. If I don't have the heater plugged in I would have to go out at 4:00 am plug it in the go back out at 5:00 am to fire up the tractor..

I also have access to a Thermo-Cube that only switches on at 0°F and switches off at 10°F

So what do you guys think, will it hurt the Heater or the tractor to keep it plugged in ???? use the cube??? or just get up earlier and deal with it when it gets cold ???


TIA for any respones

 

[fisher]

I don't know about block heaters (not cold enough here) but how about a timer set to come on at 4am for an hour or so?

http://www.amazon.com/Intermatic-TN...?ie=UTF8&qid=1359413744&sr=8-2&keywords=timer

Saves power and getting out of bed early on a cold morning. You could also use it with the thermo cube so that it only heats when needed.

 

[fast*st]

I don't think it'd harm a lick to keep it plugged in though it's going to consume someplace between 1 and 1.5 kwh so an additional 750 and 1100 kwh per month. Now if you just wanted to plug it in the days that its going to be needed thats fine. Kubota/JD/Cat fast response generator engines are plugged in and kept over 120f at all times summer and winter. It wont harm the heater or the engine, only your wallet.

 

[Gundoctor]

Only heat it when you are going to start it and use. Get a timer that will come on when you are in bed . Then it will be ready to go when you are. That what I do here in Vermont.

 

[Bulldog]

I used a light timer on my truck and it worked fine. Just remember to give it 2 hrs of heating time to really make it worth while. If you like the thermo-cube may look at TSC. Their's turns on at 35 degrees.

 

[dsmiley]

My question is, Will it harm anything to leave the heater plugged in all the time ???

I have a BX25 with a block heater which heats the coolant and I had the same question. I posted about this in another forum and the consensus there was that you could leave it plugged in 24/7. I eventually called my dealer and was told the same thing. I now have it on a remote control so I can turn it on from over 100' away. This morning with temps in the mid teens, 2 hours on brought it up to running temperature, so it was start and go.

 

[Sterno]

One quick point about cold weather starts. Remember that an engine block heater doesn't heat your transmission/hydraulic oil.
This is especially important to those of you with HST transmissions, I'd still let it run and circulate fluid for 5-10 minutes in cold weather or stick a magnetic heater to the trans.

 

[Saxman]

I have a timer on my powerstroke and set it to come on about 3 hours prior to me needing the truck in the morning. I will do the same for my 3830 prior to needing it for snow removal.

 

[rayc]

If i run into a real cold spell -20f and lower for a few days i leave mine plugged in 24-7 so i know its ready to use when i need it.