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Farmall & IHC Tractors Discussion Forum
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Magnetic Block Warmers

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AGR538

01-19-2005 06:41:32




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I am thinking of buying a magnetic block warmer for my H so that I can start it easily if the weather turns bad, etc. Are there any downsides to using this type of warmer? Is there a place I should not put it? Any condensation problems? I just know that sometimes you can do more harm than good with these types of aftermarket items, so I do not want to make a mistake.




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RZ(WA)

01-19-2005 12:43:51




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 Re: Magnetic Block Warmers in reply to AGR538, 01-19-2005 06:41:32  
I had a lady up the road ask me the other day about a magnetic block heater cooking the oil and perhaps doing other harm. Seems someone where she worked said these heaters would do that sort of thing if the heater wes left on for a long period of time. I had said that I just couldn't see anything like that happening. What with the amount of metal around the pan, the tractor acting like a large heat-sink and with the amount of oil in the pan, and that these heaters couldn't provide enough heat to damage much of anything. I suppose it would be possible if the heater shorted out somehow. But if it did develope a short it would trip the circuit breaker or melt the wiring, short out and then trip the breaker. I pretty much ended by saying that leaving it plugged in and heating for a long period of time will only waste electricity.
I don't know for absolute certain since I've had freeze plug heaters put in all my engines and have kept a magnetic block heater as backup and for those tractors I have not been able to find a freeze plug type to fit.

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Kevin Klock

01-19-2005 08:28:22




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 Re: Magnetic Block Warmers in reply to AGR538, 01-19-2005 06:41:32  
Have used magnet heaters on my IH 400 for years with no harm that i'm aware of. She has to sit out in the Iowa cold and plow snow for three businesses. I put one heater on the bottom of the oil pan and one on the casting right beside the front trans drain. If she'll turn, she'll go.30w in summer 20w in winter.



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Michael Soldan

01-19-2005 08:21:54




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 Re: Magnetic Block Warmers in reply to AGR538, 01-19-2005 06:41:32  
AGR538, I have a magnetic block heater and I really like it. I stick it on the bottom of the oil pan for a few hours while I chore. I only use it when it is below zero, the other day -19*C. It warms the oil and eventually the whole block but the little diesel I use it on will start easily with this. I'm in a much colder winter climate than you and we all use winter oil. If I had straight 30 oil it would be like tar at -19*C. You might consider a 5 w 30 or a 10 w 30 weight oil to make starting easy, that is usually what makes turning the engine over difficult. I agree with others that you have to keep the battery charged up good. If its been a hard start and I haven't ran the tractor long I will put the charger on it for an hour or so to make sure it is fully charged. As to your question about condensation, any moisture in the crankcase is there from other sources and heating the block at any particular point is not going to produce more condensation. I don't know how a heater could harm anything, don't let it touch wires or rest against a hose, otherwise..on the pan, the side of the block, on the water jacket, etc. TSC stores carry magnetic block heaters at a reasonable price. Good luck from Mike in Exeter Ontario where its -12*C this morning

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Dave in CT

01-19-2005 08:18:20




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 Re: Magnetic Block Warmers in reply to AGR538, 01-19-2005 06:41:32  
If your H is having problems starting in the cold, you may want to pay attention to the other components on your tractor before you buy a heater - these machines are known for being able to start easily in the cold. I've only gone down to -5 but didn't have a problem at all at that temp. Having said that, I _do_ have a heater on my H (tank heater) but I use it to reduce the wear on the engine a cold start brings - less viscous oil provides better lubrication, longer engine life. To put one on for those purposes would be a good idea. A couple other comments I've read here have been that 80% of engine wear in the colder climates comes from winter starts and 'if we had those heaters when the tractors were new, they'd've lasted 500 years before a rebuild'. I think the benefits outweigh any detriments.

Overall, I'd say just go ahead and get it but if you're having problems with cold weather starts, make sure everything else with the engine is shipshape.

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EricB

01-19-2005 08:06:45




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 Re: Magnetic Block Warmers in reply to AGR538, 01-19-2005 06:41:32  
The most efficient way, is to get a heater right into the water jacket. On the H and W-4 you can remove the water jacket plate on the left side of the engine, and install a small block heater coil into the plate so it sits between #2 and #3 cylinders. I did this about 25 years ago and it still works great. Last week we hit -30. With one hour on the block heater it started like mid-summer.



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Andy Martin

01-19-2005 07:07:29




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 Re: Magnetic Block Warmers in reply to AGR538, 01-19-2005 06:41:32  
Since you said "when the weather turns bad", if it hasn't turned bad where you live yet this winter then you probably don't need a block warmer.



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williamf

01-19-2005 07:45:47




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 Re: Magnetic Block Warmers in reply to Andy Martin, 01-19-2005 07:07:29  
It turned bad here this morning. 8* in balmy Leesburg, S.C. Yesterday afternoon, at a relatively comfortable 39*, my H was slow to turn over. If I could have held the clutch in from standing in front of it I could have prolly done as well with the handcrank.
I think the eight year old lawn mower battery that came on it may be on its last leg.
Wm
PS. It did start, though.



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Andy Martin

01-19-2005 08:21:45




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 Re: Magnetic Block Warmers in reply to williamf, 01-19-2005 07:45:47  
I love those words: "It did start, though", even with an inadequate battery.



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williamf

01-19-2005 10:07:49




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 Re: Magnetic Block Warmers in reply to Andy Martin, 01-19-2005 08:21:45  
I credit the magneto. When it did turn it was similar to using the handcrank. "Errrugghh," and a quarter revolution. I don't think if it had depended on the battery for a spark it would have ever gone.
The part about holding in the clutch; I figure having the Liftall and all that 90wt. in the transmission off the load makes the difference between go/no-go.
Either way, the dog and I are running up to the Interstate store this afternoon. Too cold to play in the swamp.
Wm

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riverbend

01-19-2005 06:51:10




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 Re: Magnetic Block Warmers in reply to AGR538, 01-19-2005 06:41:32  
When it is cold (0F or so) and I want the H to start, I put the charger on the battery. If it is really cold, I stick one of those magnetic heaters on the manifold above the carb.



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AGR538

01-19-2005 09:50:53




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 Re: (Thanks) Magnetic Block Warmers in reply to riverbend, 01-19-2005 06:51:10  
Thanks guys for taking the time to respond. You have been a big help. It still amazes me how in a three hour time period I can get advice from hundreds of years of experience, two countries, and several states while sitting in the comfort of my office dreaming about red tractors.



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Brian in NY

01-21-2005 06:58:23




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 Re: (Thanks) Magnetic Block Warmers in reply to AGR538, 01-19-2005 09:50:53  
Amen to that! If I could only have one website available to me, this would be the one.

Magnetic heater should work just fine for ya, and I think the benefits extend beyond easier starting to decreased engine wear.

You talked me in to one for myself!



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