I live in east Tennessee and plan to get a magnetic block heater. With our temps I can't justify the factory option. Great video with good information.
The next thing will be to figure out how well this translates into a smoother start...If we end up getting winter this year, I'll put that to the test!
How's she goin'? The magnetic heater is a nice option for sure. I have one and used it all one winter. My only issue with it was it was slow and in a wind a lot of the heat was lost. Also it needs to be attached to the oil pan and that may sound easy, but you have to get down on the ground and reach under to attach it. Now that I write this and reread it, I sound like a wimp, but I did mind doing this!!! LOL Nice review though and you have presented some great info and it proves the magnetic heater is worth the purchase!! Take care!!!
If you're a wimp, then I'm there with ya. Before I bend over, I think about how I'm going to get back up. If I can't envision that going well, then I don't bend over. I have a young teen son, so I feel fortunate to have some muscle. I'm like the mob boss and he's the heavy, lol. Take care, and thanks for watching. I watched that chipper video the other day. The cleanup is coming along.
Your recommendations must have been widely accepted, Ed. I just followed your link to the block heater on Amazon and that model is out of stock. When I added it to my wish list it showed a price (when it is in stock again) of $84! Big jump in price. I do like the idea of using the smart plugs to turn the system on prior to use. Saves a trip out to the equipment shed in the cold.
Block heaters are probably the best option. They make what's called tank heaters which have to be plumbed using heater hose. For years and even now my smart plug is/was a timer. No need for apps or remembering to turn the plug on. At 30° outside that little engine should fire up without the need for heating. The problem i have is i want the transmission hydraulics warming at the same time. I am in NW Wisconsin, I have a JD 5500 ag tractor With the 4239 diesel engine. It has the blockt/frost plug heater. I can plug the heater in and in 2 hrs in sub-zero temperatures and it'll fire right up. But then I have to let it run for quite awhile to get the Hydraulic oil some what warmed up so the front loader on it will work. Still it takes time using the hydraulics to get them working like they should. Another option that I've used on my vehicles is a lower radiator hose heater.
@@stevenhoffmann9373 Ah yes, good catch. I'm not even sure why I said that. I put a magnet on the transmission over a year ago and knew it was cast. Hopefully pads will stick on there somewhere.
Reneck made a useful video comparison, and it looks like the magnetic heater would be adequate for his typical winter temps. It gets far colder here, which makes me wonder if that heater would be as effective. You took the words right out of my mouth concerning a low radiator hose heater. Easy to install on a car and pretty cheap but I don't know enough to see if there's room for it on a compact tractor. Maybe it's an idea worth pursuing.
Yeah, the 15W should protect the engine better over the long term, but the tractor calls for 10W. Since you have the block heater on, the 15W shouldn't be bad at all.
I just purchased 2 silicone stick on heat pads for $20 they heat regulate to about 194 degrees. And will put them on a temp switch to go on and off by outside air temperature. I think they where 150 watts each
I have the same one. I put it on the bottom of the pan and, for 30 to 45 minutes. That's when it's colder than 25. I wouldn't buy the block heater. It's way overpriced for me for what it is. I would do the radiator hose heater first.
Ok, I have to come clean. I had been watching this on Amazon and the factors of a price drop and you leaving a comment on the Facebook forum are what pushed me to buy several weeks ago. Next time I will give credit where credit is due, I promise!
I live in east Tennessee and plan to get a magnetic block heater. With our temps I can't justify the factory option. Great video with good information.
The next thing will be to figure out how well this translates into a smoother start...If we end up getting winter this year, I'll put that to the test!
How's she goin'? The magnetic heater is a nice option for sure. I have one and used it all one winter. My only issue with it was it was slow and in a wind a lot of the heat was lost. Also it needs to be attached to the oil pan and that may sound easy, but you have to get down on the ground and reach under to attach it. Now that I write this and reread it, I sound like a wimp, but I did mind doing this!!! LOL Nice review though and you have presented some great info and it proves the magnetic heater is worth the purchase!! Take care!!!
If you're a wimp, then I'm there with ya. Before I bend over, I think about how I'm going to get back up. If I can't envision that going well, then I don't bend over. I have a young teen son, so I feel fortunate to have some muscle. I'm like the mob boss and he's the heavy, lol. Take care, and thanks for watching. I watched that chipper video the other day. The cleanup is coming along.
Your recommendations must have been widely accepted, Ed. I just followed your link to the block heater on Amazon and that model is out of stock. When I added it to my wish list it showed a price (when it is in stock again) of $84! Big jump in price. I do like the idea of using the smart plugs to turn the system on prior to use. Saves a trip out to the equipment shed in the cold.
It was all pricing. Amazon dropped it significantly and everyone must have jumped on it when I did. It'll come back.
Block heaters are probably the best option. They make what's called tank heaters which have to be plumbed using heater hose. For years and even now my smart plug is/was a timer. No need for apps or remembering to turn the plug on. At 30° outside that little engine should fire up without the need for heating.
The problem i have is i want the transmission hydraulics warming at the same time. I am in NW Wisconsin, I have a JD 5500 ag tractor With the 4239 diesel engine. It has the blockt/frost plug heater. I can plug the heater in and in 2 hrs in sub-zero temperatures and it'll fire right up. But then I have to let it run for quite awhile to get the Hydraulic oil some what warmed up so the front loader on it will work. Still it takes time using the hydraulics to get them working like they should.
Another option that I've used on my vehicles is a lower radiator hose heater.
Have you thought of putting one of these magnetic heaters on the transmission pan to preheat that oil like the block heater is doing for the engine?
@Redneck Ed yes I have. Just ordered some. Just AN FYI there is no "pan", it is all cast iron. Hoping the pads will stick and stay stuck.
@@stevenhoffmann9373 Ah yes, good catch. I'm not even sure why I said that. I put a magnet on the transmission over a year ago and knew it was cast. Hopefully pads will stick on there somewhere.
@Redneck Ed i tried a magnetic heater. To much material too make a difference
Reneck made a useful video comparison, and it looks like the magnetic heater would be adequate for his typical winter temps. It gets far colder here, which makes me wonder if that heater would be as effective. You took the words right out of my mouth concerning a low radiator hose heater. Easy to install on a car and pretty cheap but I don't know enough to see if there's room for it on a compact tractor. Maybe it's an idea worth pursuing.
-20C Use a block heater and magnetic heater for two hours, 15W40 synthetic, leave the battery tender on 24/7
Yeah, the 15W should protect the engine better over the long term, but the tractor calls for 10W. Since you have the block heater on, the 15W shouldn't be bad at all.
I just purchased 2 silicone stick on heat pads for $20 they heat regulate to about 194 degrees. And will put them on a temp switch to go on and off by outside air temperature. I think they where 150 watts each
That's a great point. I should have mentioned that option in the video. What brand did you get?
Heat lamp bulbs heats up the object that it's pointed at, not the air around it, inferred light.
Not sure what you are trying to say. Inferred light is not a thing. Are you trying to say that it is infrared? This heat lamp is not infrared.
I have the same one. I put it on the bottom of the pan and, for 30 to 45 minutes. That's when it's colder than 25. I wouldn't buy the block heater. It's way overpriced for me for what it is. I would do the radiator hose heater first.
Ok, I have to come clean. I had been watching this on Amazon and the factors of a price drop and you leaving a comment on the Facebook forum are what pushed me to buy several weeks ago. Next time I will give credit where credit is due, I promise!
@Redneck_Ed I had no idea that you saw my comments on it in there. 😁