Hi bordercollie, seems like the cows didn't cooperate today. Anyway I think the instructions you posted should have a warning somewhere between steps 3 and 4 not to wack your fingers in the process of inserting the block heater into the frost plug. Lol, I have two more nails that need about 2 weeks growth and I will be bruise free. At least I hope to get there and that will be a first for a long time.
Haha, Yea, I know what you mean.. You should have seen my foot last week where a big calf stepped on it, Steel toed boots don't help when the heavy 350 lb plus calf step straight down on top of it ... toes still come out blue... Speaking of which.. Worked very late today because . as I was putting the cows on the feed lane.. I look out and see a dead calf.. A fine big one... such a shame. I dragged him out with the RTV and then loaded him in the truck with the skid steer dirt bucket (keep the feed bucket clean) Then sis took him to the vet lab for a necropsy .. He was fit as a fiddle yesterday we were showing the calf crop to a nutritionalist that came by.
Any way,I was delayed but did get started on the JD. It is a hooked type heater coil on it. I took a couple of pictures of the heater "coil"orientation before the plug is screwed down. Make sure that it won't be touching the inner metal, when tightened. Just give it a look as you hold it up to where it goes and you will know how it should be done. I don't guess it matters on the stub ones...
I can't say how important it is on the curved element, not to let it turn ever, not even a tiny bit! when you are tightening it in the bushing... it can twist off . and you will be up the creek and in deep poo.etc.. The JD one I have has a bushing with an O ring that comes with the second piece (element coil). The bushing screws in a freeze plug hole . but before installing the bushing, I loosely inserted the coil part into the bushing as was directed in instructions. Then, I tighten up the bushing, and remembering the orientation of the coil , tighten up the threaded part of the coil stub "nut" that I had started earlier to keep it from coming loose, It protrudes through the aforementioned bushing. This nut should be tightened without moving the threaded stub. It has a flat part on it if it needs to be held still.It the stub moves ,then the curved element coil can be twisted or make contact with the metal surface inside . This is my opinion only and so take what I say like a grain of salt .. It worked for me but it could be incorrect.. It's the reader's responsibility to check the right procedure in a manual. It is a sad day when one must say that..
Following is a picture of the prongs that are for the plug to attach to and screw down. Also a picture showing the big curved element of the JD laying on the work table by me. Also, a picture of the bushing and element coil on the JD ready for the plug. also a sad picture of the dead calf.. That kind of stuff happens.. a stray kick or.....? we will find out when the results come back.. collie