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Dip stick engine heaters

Cornflk1
Anyone used a dipstick style engine heater in a radiator ? I have an older JD 4520 row crop tractor that REALLY doesn't care for the cold weather any longer.

The current canister style electric block heater is bad and until I can get a replacement I need to warm this engine up. Even with the canister style working it can still be an issue.

Already have a dipstick heater that I put in the oil pan, but was thinking about placing one directly in the radiator as well.

Any thoughts, you northern guys may have a solution ---- other than bringing the tractor into the house of course ;)
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Comments

7 comments

Date Votes
  • Horse Plains Drifter
    You could give it a try, but I don't think it will gain much. You will be heating the coolant in the radiator, but it won't circulate into the engine block where it needs to be to heat the engine.
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  • jimdeere
    I have a dipstick heater, it?s only 70 watts. Most block heaters are 750 watts or more.
    The dipstick heater probably helps some if you leave it plugged in all the time.
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  • hillbille
    if you have a real heavy canvas tarp big enough to go over tractor and lay on ground, a 100watt light bulb on trouble light pointing up at the bottom of engine or on a block if you want it closer will put out more heat than a person imagines, and should last till you can get your new heater installed and not cost anything other than little electric..........
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  • diver-rig
    They also make heaters that go inline in a radiator hose. Might work better than a dipstick heater in the radiator
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  • dpmule
    Of course all of our diesels now come with OEM block heaters, but all the old 4010/4020 Johns didn't and everyone I know installed a heater in line in the lower radiator hose and it will get the liquid warm enough to open the thermostat and by convection circulate the block, warming the block and radiator.
    I know guys in various spots in Wyoming and Idaho that actually use both and dipstick heater for the oil and an inline heater in the radiator hose and some times even a battery pad/blanket. I always used the inline heaters on all my gasser pickups back in the day.
    How deep you want to go depends on how much you value extending the life of the engine and convenience for you.

    Personally, I like being able to turn the key and cook it off at -10/-30 and have warm air coming out vents shortly or being able to start the tractor (that does not sit in the shed) and let it idle to warm the hydraulics, heck I even plug in my skid steer (which does live in a shed) a couple hours before I'm going to use it when it's very cold, and it has OEM block heater and hydraulic tank heater.

    Just my .02, your mileage may vary.

    Mule
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  • Junkballer
    My Dad use to use a plain ole electric blanket topped with canvas cover drapped over the tractor hood....me, I never use anything, it doesn't get cold down here like it use to do, I'll leave it to others to figure that one out :D
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  • charliemeyer007
    I use the ones that replace a freeze plug in the block. Throw a tarp over it and put a work lamp or 2 under the engine. Fix/replace the inline hose unit.
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