Block Heater

[Blademaster]

Has anyone used Kats heater? My old heater died, so I bought this at Napa. Getting ready to swap out. This new one is 120/1500. Just wondered if anyone has an opinion.

[Jim B]

I have used Kats heaters. The brand has been around for years. In recent years I think they had some difficulties with production (quantity mostly I think) and I believe the brand was purchased by someone else and I think the product line is reduced from what they had years ago. I have looked for some in-block heaters to fit engines I had gotten them for before and was not able to find those heaters. If I had been able to find the ones I needed in Kats, I would have gotten them. I am guessing you are looking at tank type heaters from your "120/1500" description. I am using Kats (#13100, 120v/1000watt) tank type heaters on a couple 4219 JD engines. Phillips& Temro's Zerostart line is another brand I use.

[Blademaster]

Thanks Jim.
I'm just discovering all of the ins and outs of these old tractors. We got hit with some Jan/Feb weather up here in November. 2 ft of snow in 1 shot, then single digits for a week. Not the optimal time to discover the pre heater on your tractor and your truck are no good. Live and learn.

[Lavoy]

Not sure what crawler you are putting it on, but 1500 watts is a lot of heat on a 350 or 450 unless you want to only plug it in for a short time and want it warmed up quickly. If you want to leave it plugged in a lot, or it will be plugged in overnight to use the next day, I would use a 750 or 1000 watt.
Lavoy

[Blademaster]

Thanks for the heads up. I think I'll exchange this one for a smaller one. I have 1 more question for you, seems like you know these tractors inside out. Just recently my 450C has started popping out of gear in 3rd gear reverse. I don't use it much but if in decent dirt with long pushes and backups it's pretty handy to have. Wouldn't mention it but I'm concerned it may lead to bigger things. I asked my mechanic at US tractor about it, I might as well have asked in Aramaic for the look he gave me. Any suggestions?

[Lavoy]

You mean the HLR pops out of reverse or the trans pops out of third? I'm assuming you mean third, although I would expect it to do it whether forward or reverse.
FIrst thing I would check is all of the shift linkage and make sure that it is truly in gear completely, that the detent is not holding it partially out of gear.
Lavoy

[Jim B]

I use the 1000 watt heaters on timers. If I know I am going to want to use a given tractor at some point I set the timer for 2 - 3 hours ahead of my projected start time. The other thing is it will shut off after the set time if I don't use it. A timer rated for 120 volts 15 amps works fine many will say good for 1875 watts resistive. There are three prong models available now. I expect you could likely set up a smart phone remote controlled outlet has well if wanted. If you intend to leave it running all the time I am thinking 500 watts may be the most you want. With a 1000 watt tank heater, 2-3 hours (normal timer heat time I set) at 20-30F puts a 2030 with a 4219 (cooling system similar to a 450 model) will put it at 110 - 130 degrees on the temp gauge.

Does it do this if you shift into third while reversing in second and wanting more speed or any time you reverse in third? No popping out in third forward? The first thing is to inspect all the linkage and be certain the linkage is moving the shift rail into its detent for third. My thoughts are beyond that you will likely need to go internal of the transmission to fix it.

[Blademaster]

I returned the 1500 watt and exchanged it for an 850 watt which was what I had. As for transmission, I stop, idle down and use the clutch to shift. Once it's in gear you can feel it grab, its only popped out in 3F a couple times but reverse several times.
This old tractor has been very good to me, all I've ever done to it is oil changes, and a new water pump. Made a lot of $ with her. I'll check the linkages and see what's going on in there. I live in the high country and this is my snow plow.