Go BottomEngine block heater for BX23 in New England
 | sergiorubio
Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2 Chester, NH 
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2004-06-15 88632
Just ordered my BX23 last Friday! My first tractor and I've found this forum invaluable (thanks!) While telling everyone about my new tractor (to be delivered within a week), someone asked if I got an engine block heater. Oops! I've seemed to order a bunch of attachments (snow blower being one of them), however, I forgot about a simple thing like that.
I was wondering how necessary the heater might be, I live in New Hampshire, so we'll get short stretches of -10F weather... I bought one for my (gasoline) car and forget to use it half the time and it doesn't complain too bitterly. Granted I'm expecting the tractor to greatly outlive the car... and it might get cranky in it's older age when it comes.
If the heater is recommended, how much should I expect to pay for it (and installation)?
Thanks for being a great resource to us tractor newbies!
- Sergio
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Add PhotoEngine block heater for BX23 in New England
 | funchy
Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 128 north eastern corner of Maryland
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2004-06-15 88641
Congrats to you! I think that you'll enjoy the tractor alot.
When I bought my BX23, I asked my dealer about an engine heater. I am in Maryland, so winters here aren't nearly as cold. My dealer felt I didn't need it.
This is my first diesel-powered anything, and I had heard diesels are more reluctant to start than gas engines in extreme cold. Does anyone know if this is true? And are block heaters a necessity in extreme cold or are they more of a convenience item, making starting easier? ....
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Add PhotoEngine block heater for BX23 in New England
 | Chief
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 4297 Southwest MiddleTennessee 
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2004-06-15 88644
Get the block heater. You will be VERY glad you did. As I recall, I paid about $57 for the block heater on my 4410. I installed it myself so I avoided the added cost of installation but figure 1 - 2 shop labor. You can probably install it yourself if the block heater comes as a threaded plug like mine did. If removing a freeze plug is required, that is a bit more complicate but not that bad. The big advantage of the block heat in my opinion is that you can preheat your engine and have the cooland already to run at a warm temp. this dramatically speeds up warm up times and warm up of the oil after it starts circulating. Cuts down on the smoke and noise during warm up too. Is it an absolute requirement??????? In your neck of the woods, I would say so although your Kubota would most likely start without a block heater. It also reduces the use, load, and wear on your battery and glow plugs. In warmer climates, it is not so critical but I live in TN and I installed my for the benefit of preheating the engine prior to start during the winter months. ....
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Add PhotoEngine block heater for BX23 in New England
 | beagle
Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 1333 Michigan 
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2004-06-15 88646
I have a diesel tractor in northern Michigan that only gets started once a month in the winter. Starting an in-direct injection diesel in cold weather is not so much the issue. With properly treated fuel and glow plug heating, it starts easily. The issue is lubrication, as with any engine. Organic oil is too viscous at low temperatures to provide lubrication during cold starts. Block heaters keep the oil warm enough to lubricate all those vital parts at cold start and reduce engine wear. Of course, the engine will start easier with a warm block, but I would be more concerned about lubrication.
Either way, there are warm up times recommended in your operators manual for cold weather operation. Follow these even if you have a block heater. They are intended to give the hydraulic fluid enough time to warm and flow properly in the tractor. Your hydraulic fluid is essential for lubrication of the drive train and steering system. Also really recommend you stay with the Super UDT hydro fluid. It is much better for cold weather operation.
Block heaters are avalible at TSC for about $25 and don't have to be installed. They are magentic, and can also be thermostatically controlled.
Have fun with your new tractor. You'll love the diesel torque. ....
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Add PhotoEngine block heater for BX23 in New England
| offtrack
Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 17 New England
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2004-06-24 89278
I live in Northern CT., which is cold but not nearly as much as it is up where you are, and I wouldn't be without one. I have a bx22, and just like stated above the lubrication and warm up times are enhanced really well. You only have to plug it in about an hour before you go to use to make the difference. Have the dealer do it, otherwise it is to easy to put off and is an inexpensive addition to helping your tractor last longer and perform more readily in adverse conditions. I paid 50.00 for mine to be installed which covered the cost of the part and the dealer threw in the labor as part of the deal. ....
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Add PhotoEngine block heater for BX23 in New England
 | Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York
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2004-06-25 89322
We normally charge a flat fee for the heater and installation. On that model it is $100. although do to the nature of some block heaters as well as the cost of the unit that some times exceeds $350 they do vary. The magnetic ones are nice for on the oil pans but do little to assist the actual starting process which needs the heat in the combustion chamber area. ....
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Add PhotoEngine block heater for BX23 in New England
| MadRefereee
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 23 New Hampshire
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2004-06-25 89327
I live in New Hampshire and have a block heater on my B2710. I always turn it on a couple of hours before going snow blowing. It cost $39.99 at Chappell's in Milford. Took me 15 minutes to install. You do have to have a 17mm allen wrench to remove the block plug. ....
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