Magnetic Oil pan heater or Block heater.

n4khq

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M6040, M7040, L39 Backhoe, M8560, MX5800HST, MX6000
Nov 10, 2018
39
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8
Dahlonega, GA
I have a M6040 the oil pan will hold a magnet but every 2" there is a slight grove. Do you guys recommend the magnetic oil pan heater or a block coolant heater? Anybody know the size allen wrench I need to remove the plug for the coolant heater? Do you recommend draining the antifreeze or trying to just switch the plugs?
Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated, thanks
 

SidecarFlip

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Oct 28, 2018
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I've never used a block heater of any kind and I bet it gets lots colder here than it does in Georgia. They have good glow plugs. Those and a good battery has always done fine for me.

I'm more concerned with the cloud point on fuel than anything else. Guess of you want to burn electricity, go for it bit, I'd install an immersion heater versus a magnetic one.
 

n4khq

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Dahlonega, GA
Don't want to waste electricity but I don't think my glow plugs are working as the should. Last winter in the low teens, there was a few times I did not think it was going to start.
 

85Hokie

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Don't want to waste electricity but I don't think my glow plugs are working as the should. Last winter in the low teens, there was a few times I did not think it was going to start.
You will find a coolant heater will work better than any other type.

If you heat the oil, it helps - but if you HEAT the water .....it will circulate by itself and thus heat the block and head all the while. Now it isnt gonna fry an egg - but if the temp outside is 20 F and the water is 85 ish.....the block will be a lot warmer than 20 F;) And the entire engine is warmer. Typically a pan heater was used to warm the oil, making it flow better and thus helping starting by a bit, but with oils today - that is not necessary.

Buy a screw in/ press in block heater - give it 2 hours lead time - it will make all the difference in the world and cost pennies to use.:)
 

sheepfarmer

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Don't want to waste electricity but I don't think my glow plugs are working as the should. Last winter in the low teens, there was a few times I did not think it was going to start.
It is pretty cold here too, I'm a little north of sidecar, and I don't have a block heater either, but another option is to keep your battery on a battery tender when it gets cold. I'd try that first before messing with freeze plugs in Georgia.
 

rjcorazza

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Mar 9, 2016
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I live in a slightly colder area, but it rarely gets down to single digits here. I still like warmer starts though, and have always installed block heaters on my tractors. A coolant heater will out perform a magnetic oil pan heater.
My last 2 Kubotas had aluminum oil pans... have you confirmed that yours is steel?



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
 

n4khq

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M6040, M7040, L39 Backhoe, M8560, MX5800HST, MX6000
Nov 10, 2018
39
1
8
Dahlonega, GA
Mine is steel but I agree the block coolant is the best choice and I have one on order.