Block heater

[Ivan in Mich]

I am going to put a block heater on my skid steer and was wondering which would be the better choice, a magnetic one or one installed in the collaant line. On the magnetic ones can they be left on the oil pan while I am using the skid steer or do I have to take it off each time before use?

 

[Ron Zaccagnini]

Either would work. I woudl not leave the magntic one on the machine - you"ll lose it.

 

[buickanddeere]

Magnetic heater is only 200W or so. That's only enough heat to warm a lawnmower engine or the oilpan of a large engine.
A 1000W tank heater would fully warm the engine in 15-20 minutes.

 

[Anonymous-0]

From my experience, either get the one that goes into the lower radiator hose, install according to instructions, or get the coffee pot bypass type that goes from the block drain to the thermostat bypass hose. These 2 types are best at heating the whole motor. Next best is the freeze plug replacement heater insert, then the magnet. Dipstick heaters are for dipsticks! Just my $.02

 

[paul]

I've not had much help from the magnetic ones - they are too weak. In the heating area. Coolant heaters will get the job done when you really need it. This is one case where bigger (more watts) is for sure better.

--->Paul

 

[Dan-IA]

In general if you can tap a coolant line for direct element to coolant contact thats the best. Even better with the tractor heaters with the builtin plunger that draws it in, heats it, and re-injects it.

I have a magnetic on the pan of my skidsteer but only because it's a V4 aircooled wisconsin. I leave it there because theres a dragplate under it so it cant fall off and get lost. In practice I cant say using the magnetic heater has ever helped me.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Ivan, could you tell us what model of skid steer you have, and what model of engine it has.. And; Whether it is gas, diesel or propane fuled, also, whether it is air cooled or water cooled..

 

[showcrop]

Don't worry about it, just crank it. I knew some one that did that for about five years. In stead of putting in a heater he just burned out starters and replaced them . He could usually get two free replacements a year out of the dealer under warranty. He seemed to be so happy about the free starters that he didn't care about changing starters out in the cold every few months. And yes this was a skid steer. I asked him "what is this, check the oil and change the starter?"

 

[old]

Get a coolant type heater. The mag type only heat a small area and the coolant type heat the whole engine so the oil, block, and coolant are all warm and start better.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I read that you can't use a circulating(tank) heater if one of the heater hoses goes to the rad. Magnetic ones would take forever to get the engine warm. They are good for warming the hyd. oil a bit. The block heaters that go in a frost plug hole work good and are used on everything. I just had a new one put in my skid steer because the old one burned out and that caused it to leak. Should be good now. I think the lower rad hose heaters work good too. Check out the Phillips & Temro website for your engine. They make most of the heaters for everything. Dave

 

[DoubleR]

I've had good luck with the in-line heaters on the lower radiator hose. TSC should have one to fit for 25-30 bucks. Easy to install. I would'nt waste my time with the magnet to the oil pan or dipstick heaters.

 

[Ivan in Mich]

I will probably go with the one in the coolant line. The machine is a NH L553 with a Kobota 4 cyliner diesal engine. Thanks for all youe time and help Ivan

 

[Anonymous-0]

My Kubota has a heater hose to the rad so I can't use a circulating heater. Phillips & Temro make a Block heater specifically for Kubota. You can get the part number off their website but it's probably a 3100025 400 watt that goes in the cylinder head freeze plug at the flywheel end of the engine. I just had one replaced. Make sure you keep the coolant level up when you use it and it will last a long time. Mine burnt out and started to leak but it's 15 years old and I haven't used it in several years. The new one cost $26 and took about an hour labor to replace it. I also have a hyd. oil heater I can plug in. Dave