Engine heater a good idea or not?

Zachary Hoyt · Nov 25, 2012

I have noticed since the weather got colder that my 300 does not run well until it has idled for 5 minutes or so and begun to warm up. It had an old coolant heater on it when I bought it and I am wondering if I should get a coolant heater or dipstick oil heater or some other sort of device to keep the engine warm, or if I should be making some adjustment to the carburetor or something else for cold weather, or if I should just let it warm up before using it. It is parked in a closed shed with a plug right beside it. I often am only using it for 5 minutes or less, just to move a wagon of slab wood from the mill to the woodshed or something like that. Any advice will be much appreciated.
Zach

old · Nov 25, 2012

A good coolant heater is the only way to go because the dip stick heater only heats and can burn the oil where as a coolant heater warms the whole engine including the oil. Just look at the big rigs they have block coolant heaters and never yet seen one with a dip stick heater

Janicholson · Nov 25, 2012

The tank heater is probably the best. they are a little more cold blooded than an H. A timer on the heater can be best practice and save both money and avoid heating mother nature. If you need the tractor to be reliable do it. if it is used less than once per week I would do as you are. Jim

Zachary Hoyt · Nov 25, 2012

Thank you both very much. A timer is a good idea, or I can just plug it in for a bit before starting. At say 20 degrees F. how long would you think I would need to have the heater plugged in to warm things up?
Zach

David G · Nov 25, 2012

It is always a good idea.

billde · Nov 25, 2012

go with the tank type heater, set the timer 1 hour before you plan to start the H. It will make a huge difference in starting plus save wear and tear on the tractor.

scotc · Nov 25, 2012

A tank-type heater, on a 300, 2 hours would probably have it up in the operating range, with it parked in out of the wind.

If it's a daily use tractor I'd set the timer for an extra hour before it's needed anyhow. The blizzard of 77 was when grandpa finally got a timer for the D19's block heater, the only thing that would start was his old 2wd pick-up, and the power went out as they were leaving the house that morning to go plug in the tractor and start chores.

Dave_Id · Nov 25, 2012

Unless you live in south Texas

Ron W · Nov 25, 2012

Sure beats building a fire under it. I have block heaters in all my main tractors.

20 years ago we got hit with several feet of snow. I had to fire up the old Cletrac. We ended up building a wood & coal fire under it to get the oil thinned up so that we could get it moving. Once it moved ten feet, we had no problem.

If you are running propane, it is a must to have a block heater.

Engine heater a good idea or not?

Zachary Hoyt

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old

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Janicholson

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Zachary Hoyt

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David G

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billde

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scotc

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Dave_Id

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Ron W

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