Block coolant heater

[Ridgerunner]

This winter I plan on using my IH 184 as a back up plow, to my old wrecker/plow truck that I use here on are farm. I picked up the 184 this summer, so I don't know how they do in sub-zero temps. I was thinking of adding a coolant heater to help ease the start up on the tractor, during those cold winter days.

Does anyone have experience adding a coolant heater to these little tractors?

[Bigdog]

I'd try one of those magnetic block heaters.

[Eugene]

Agree with BigDog. Magnetic block heater. I would get an adjustable timer to control the magnetic block heater. Set the timer to turn on the block heater 2 or 3 hours before the planned time for using the Cub.

[Packrat]

My 154 came with a coolant heater in the lower radiator hose. Good clean install.

[chugah chugah]

I put a quick fix ladies hair crimper low watage on lower engine- less condensation and quick start

[Jim Becker]

Not sure what temperatures you are really expecting, but based on your ZIP code, you don't have to deal with extremes. If you are only using it for backup, put in a good winter weight oil (like 10W or 10W30) and put a maintainer on the battery. You might keep a magnetic oil pan heater on hand to slap on if you get a real cold snap and expect to need it.

[gitractorman]

I'm with Jim on this one. You're at about the same location as me, east end of a great lake, and probably see about the same conditions, maybe a little colder than Buffalo, but not much.

I've had my farmall cub out in the barn over the winter before, and not had a problem starting it. I just run 10w-30 in the winter. If it's tuned up and running good, you should have no problem starting it. I doubt the magnetic block heater will help much unless you leave it on for hours before trying to start.

The hydraulics are the real problem. Make sure that your transmission and the hydraulics have NO water in them, so change that fuid out right before winter. Your hydraulics will make all kinds of noise when you start the tractor, and won't work real well for about 5 or 10 minutes after startup. What I always do is go out and start the tractor and let it idle while I go in and eat a bowl of cereal and put the rest of my cold weather gear on. Ususally by that time, she will operate just fine.

[outdoors4evr]

I have had no issues with this yet, I don't have a heater on my 184 but do store it in the garage and keep a battery maintainer on it. It is usually ready to blow snow within a minute of startup.

[BigBill]

I keep them tuned right on the money with a good battery and 10/30wt oil. I use seafoam too. I also keep the fuel bowel free of water also. Its much easier to service when its warm out than have it freeze up when it gets cold.