Tractor heater not working properly

randallin Mo · Dec 9, 2009

I have a "cannister heater" on my 4020 tractor. It is set up on a timer so as not to run continously. I have it set to come on about 3 hours prior to needing the tractor. The timer is working good, and the heater appears to be working also. The cannister is too hot to hold on to and I can hear it boiling the water within. It however is not heating the engine properly. Sometimes the tractor will start fine, the next time it has to turn over several times and is hard to start because the water is not circulating properly. The hoses are all open so the hot water should circulate. I replaced the heating element last year so it is fairly new. LIke I said, the heater is working but it isn't circulating the hot water. The radiator is full of coolant. What is wrong?

BushogPapa · Dec 9, 2009

Does that heater have a circulating pump or is it supposed to thermo-circulate..?
Without a pump, the thermostat may block coolant flow...??
Has this installation work well in the past for you..?
Curious minds want to know what you do find..!!

Ron.

sotxbill · Dec 9, 2009

is the themostat stopping it from circulating?? Is the heater in the lower radiator hose? or is it mounted on the side of the block with heater hoses? just wondering.

randallin Mo · Dec 9, 2009

The heater is mounted on the side of the block with heater hoses to and from. Dumb question, but where is the thermostat on those tractors?

randallin Mo · Dec 9, 2009

One day the tractor starts fine and is warm, the next day the engine is cold and hard to start. I suppose this heater thermo-circulates. The dealer said it had to be the heating element in the heater. But what baffles me is the heater is REALLY hot each time I check it. According to the dealer, the thermostat has nothing to do with it as it only circulates through the block and back to the heater. Which doesn't make any sense to me.

Mark-Mi · Dec 9, 2009

Sounds like a stock set up. Plumbed in the head and cools and comes out the drain in the block.
The instructions that come with a JD kit instructs you to clean out the valve in the top of the canister heater once a year as it can get clogged up. Mark

Dave Sherburne NY · Dec 9, 2009

The heater should be in a vertical position mounted low with the output hose going to a low spot on the block and the bottom hose going to a high spot on the block.

Kansas 4010 · Dec 9, 2009

When I plug in a tractor it is on for at least 6 to 8 hours. I wouldn't think it should get hot enough you can't touch it though.

buickanddeere · Dec 9, 2009

Listen to DAVE SHERBURNE and call 1-800-522-7448

teddy52food · Dec 9, 2009

I think you have that backwards but it may work if the heater is low enough.

Tractor heater not working properly

randallin Mo

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