This is the most regular thing in Finland. I haven't seen a datto engine without it! It saves the engine and it also saves fuel. It is being recommended to use it when the temp is +5 celsius or below. Fuel burns also more efficiently during the first KMs when engine is 'pre-heated'.
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also herd stories of the guys in the soviet union putting little tubs of diesel under there engines and lighting them to stop the engines from freezing in the war..
Had a friend working in Russia instructing Russians how to maintain chainsaws. He told me that babushkas/grannies flowed oil out of the harvesters every morning. After that they poured the oil in a big caulron and put it on fire. Then you just pour the hot oil back into the engine