This information report covers fuel fired pre-heaters which burn gasoline, diesel, or propane fuels.
This type of heater must be used in remote areas where 110/220 V, 60 Hz electric power is not available, and
is recommended anywhere an on-board self contained system is required. The guidelines in this report are
applicable, but not limited to, fuel burning heater installations on the off-road self-propelled work machines
described in SAE J1116.
1.1 Purpose—The purpose of this information report is to provide selection and application guidelines covering
most liquid hydrocarbon fuel burning, engine pre-heating systems. Operating conditions and characteristics of
the equipment will determine the design of any successful system, and since these characteristics and
conditions vary greatly from one application to another, the application engineer must determine the goals he
expects to reach under the conditions encountered. To determine the type and size of heaters will require
adherence to several guidelines, some of which are outlined in the following paragraphs.