electric heater for small riding tractor

This message is a reply to an archived post by SteveMaine on December 13, 2012 at 19:37:25.
The original subject was "electric heater for small riding tractor".

I had a Kubota compact tractor c/w cab,I installed a small in line heater rad c/w fan that I just connected in- line from the engine block,the cab fogged up without the heater,but with the heater and a small additional fan to blow onto the windshield it Really worked well,you could take your coat off in cold weather and the windows were also clear.If your tractor is not water cooled it is not an option,I have a new JD 1023 and I am looking at options it looks like there are some good 12 v heaters on the market.

V


Air cooled aircraft use exhaust heat to defrost the windows. Check with companies that sell parts for home built aircraft . Almost instant heat and low current draw . http://www.robbinswings.com

Addition to buickandeere: Exhaust pipe heaters were also used by VW Beetles- look at the 1964(?) to 1974 diagrams and stop at Dune Buggy/catalog shop for the heat exchanger pipe section. Used to be a $5.00 at salvage yard for the stock pipeing that had been replaced by the 4 into 1 headers complete sets from head mount, $39.95 for a heating section and housing from a EMPI catalo for the guys that wanted to get cleared windshield. Ford Model A club catalog has something similar. Plumbing supply might have the heater pipe fin sections that would fit a 3/4 to 1.5 inch small engine exhaust, then just need a piece of tubing over it with hose fitting to a small blower and windshield. 4 hardware store door springs wrapped around exhaust pipe inside a piece of larger ducting pipe with a T fit and hose to air cleaner area used to be a fair cold run improvement for small engines and motorcycle getting out in winter-usually with a sidecar- for some dedicated riders with mental issues (they were 'Cycle' pathic). Exhaust pipe is source of heat, just need a bit of thought, time, tape measure, bit of pipe or hose and sheet metal cutting to get that heat from engine area to windshield. Beer cans make good shrouding and emptying them may get ideas for cutting and fit.
Teasing Alert!.
RN

Back in the 60's stewart warner made a gas heater for air cooled VW's. It burned gas out of the car's gas tank. I had one. It was designed similar to an oil torpedo heater. Had a spark plug, pump and nozzle to spray gas in to heat exchanger.

No way 12v electric would produce enough heat. HF does sell a small 12, 600w heater with fan. That might keep a small spot on window cleaned off.