This is a community of collectors and enthusiasts of the Colt, Case, and Ingersoll Garden Tractors
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Welcome to the forum, glad you got this nice machine. I'm not familiar with the 3012 but if it has a plastic hydraulic tank I'd say not a good idea to use this heater. Any reason why you don't run the tractor for a while? If it's not functional it's one thing, but if it is, chances are high that nothing will happen to it if you run it for 1/2 hour more.tsmith624 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 24, 2022 1:50 pm maintenance in an unheated garage. I would like to change fluids asap so I can test the plow. I dont know what PO used, so Id like to drain and start over. I found the specs on the oils to use, but wonder if a magnetic block heater could be used to warm things up for draining. The instructions say it can be used on all kinds of farm equipment and cars, but it reaches 300 - 400 degrees. Any opinions?
@tsmith624 welcome to CCIGT glad to have you here, neighbor. Congrats on your tractor. Hope you enjoy your time here and join in. 
TimWelcome aboard and congrads on your new acquisition. Magnettict block heater can be used to warm the trans axle as well as the engine for fluid changes . The idea here is to just bring the metal and oil to room temp 70 -80 F . So you stick it to the bottom of ... turn on and when the top of the sides gets warm to touch turn off and drain your fluid . Keep your new fluid inside warm until needed as it will flow easier that way . As for the hydraulics , that is trickier as there is more to the system than just the tank. This is where an inferred electric heater under the tractor with the tractor covered with moving blanket to keep the heat in will help to take the chill off the whole system . Do Not leave unattended please . The best place I found to drain is at the pressure tap (small Allan key head pipe plug ) on the TCV . This will drain most of the hydraulic fluid , but not all . If any of the fluids are milky looking , you will need to repeat this process after running , driven on stands and getting warm though out . (15w40 deisel engine oil is what a lot use for all the able ) . Hope this helpstsmith624 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 24, 2022 1:50 pm maintenance in an unheated garage. I would like to change fluids asap so I can test the plow. I dont know what PO used, so Id like to drain and start over. I found the specs on the oils to use, but wonder if a magnetic block heatercould be used to warm things up for draining. The instructions say it can be used on all kinds of farm equipment and cars, but it reaches 300 - 400 degrees. Any opinions?
HarryNot having a infrared heater, I find halogen work lights work well as noncontact heaters. A word of warning before placing any of these under the tractor, inspect the tractor for oil leaks and place the heater so no oil can drip on the heater and start a fire.DavidBarkey wrote: ↑Sat Dec 24, 2022 3:05 pmWelcome aboard and congrads on your new acquisition. Magnettict block heater can be used to warm the trans axle as well as the engine for fluid changes . The idea here is to just bring the metal and oil to room temp 70 -80 F . So you stick it to the bottom of ... turn on and when the top of the sides gets warm to touch turn off and drain your fluid . Keep your new fluid inside warm until needed as it will flow easier that way . As for the hydraulics , that is trickier as there is more to the system than just the tank. This is where an inferred electric heater under the tractor with the tractor covered with moving blanket to keep the heat in will help to take the chill off the whole system . Do Not leave unattended please . The best place I found to drain is at the pressure tap (small Allan key head pipe plug ) on the TCV . This will drain most of the hydraulic fluid , but not all . If any of the fluids are milky looking , you will need to repeat this process after running , driven on stands and getting warm though out . (15w40 deisel engine oil is what a lot use for all the able ) . Hope this helpstsmith624 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 24, 2022 1:50 pm maintenance in an unheated garage. I would like to change fluids asap so I can test the plow. I dont know what PO used, so Id like to drain and start over. I found the specs on the oils to use, but wonder if a magnetic block heatercould be used to warm things up for draining. The instructions say it can be used on all kinds of farm equipment and cars, but it reaches 300 - 400 degrees. Any opinions?
