4020 Factory block heater

Does Deere still make the factory engine heaters like the 4020's had, or is used the only way to get one? I wonder if it would be worth it to spend money on a used one. Are they generally still reliable after 40+ years?

I tried three lower radiator hose heaters over the winter. One lasted 24 hours. The best one lasted two weeks. All were Chinese made JUNK! Could go on and on about that topic, but don't have that much time! I went with the lower hose heater because they are fairly inconspicuous...I didn't want a big aftermarket heater hanging off the side of the engine block on my restored tractor. I would use a factory JD heater if I could find a good one. Seems like you are kind of limited on the type of heater you can use on a 4020. Don't know why Deere didn't have any frost plugs...seems odd to me. Any input would be appreciated!

Heath

Oil pan heaters? Got a '65 and a '68 model that've had 'em installed since day one. The '65 was a 'chore' tractor and the heater was basically plugged in for 4 months a year (when not being used for feeding cows) for almost 40 years. It eventually failed and was replaced after about 25 years. The one in the other tractor is still there and still works. Checking JD parts should tell you whether or not they're still available; they're gonna be PRICEY. One of these gurus can tell you how to check continuity to determine whether a used one is still good or not..............

I guess I was thinking of the coolant heaters that mount above the frame rail under the alternator.

Do the oil pan heaters warm the block up enough to aid in cold-weather starting? I always thought that they basically just warmed up your oil so it flows better. I didn't realize that the heat would radiate that far up. Do you leave these plugged in all the time when it's sitting, or just for a few hours?

This has been my experience; that of others may be different. Winter lows around 'here' are typically in the teens, though single digits and down to zero is not uncommon. (I think the all-time low is 13 below zero) The oil pan heaters make the whole block toasty and with good batteries, the tractors start just fine. Some folks will try to tell you that they 'cook' the oil, but I never found it to be an issue. I don't know who made the heaters or what the wattage is, but they came from the JD dealer. Had a barn where the heaters were the only thing using current; the oil pan heaters cost about a quarter a day; just left it plugged up whenever the tractor wasn't being used; frost plug heaters cost about $1.25 per day (24 hours) and I had them on a timer..........to kick in 3 or 4 hours before feeding time. (Don't know what my electrical cost was per KWH; I've been totally out of the business for 5 years) I don't think I ever had a tractor without some kind of heater, either water or oil and personally liked the oil pan type better; just plug it in and forget it. Never lived in a cold climate, so can't say how well they'd work there.

4020 (S.N. -200,999) Tractor AR42325 HEATER 1 KIT
engine oil pan AR27139 HEATING ELEMENT 1 (SUB AR21024, R20878 AND T23925) 240-WATT


late model 4020 (ENGINE SERIAL NO. 215000 - 280000)AR4232 HEATER

Any rad hose heater will burnout if the water fails to circulate. A common problem.
Install a proper block heater or a tank heater and be done with it.

The one you are refering to was on the 69/70 and fit in a factory bracket and was a really a neat application.I bought a 70 3020 that had been painted by Rusty Acres and it had a new one just installed.Not able to check with JD but assume you have.The block heater came on 71/72 and continued after that and I know they are available.The right partsman can find about anything and the others dont care enough to try.

I have an aftermarket tank/recirculating type coolant heater on my old style 4020. It's kind of hidden down in behind the intake manifold, somewhere near the block drain if I remember right. The outlet hose runs up over the engine and into the plug in the middle of the head. Works good. It's not JD, but it's not hanging out.

Thanks for all the replies, I sure appreciate it! I will do some more checking with the Deere dealer and see what they say. Thanks for the part numbers Jim! Heath

Call Don's Tractor Salvage 785-353-2581. Usually has several on the shelf. You can still get the element from JD but they are pricey. I got one from Don and it works fine. I think he sell them as is. They might work, might not.

http://www.phillipsandtemro.com/UserFiles/File/2009_Zerostart_Application_Guide_and_Product_catalog.pdf

pages 52-53 for JD. Page 68 gives an excellent generic cross reference.