New to me 190XT (pics finally)

This is the 190XT I recently picked up.  I don't think I did too bad for $1200.  I tell my wife I bought the snowblower for $1200 and they threw in the tractor... LOL  The blower is an International 80.  Had to do a little work with torch/welder to straighten out the flighting, looked like someone had backed into a large rock or sumpt'n.  I changed all fluids/filters, new thermostat, 2 new batteries, wound up having to change the water pump.  Now she purrs like a kitten albeit a dirty one.  I need to take my pressure sprayer out there and give her a good bath.  She's a factory bare-back with a farmer built 3-point system.  Couple things I need to figure out on her yet but I'll get there.  I have a 14ft disk to give her a good work-out as soon as the ground dries up.... farm looks like a big wet mud hole right now.

This is on the left above the manifold.  Looks like a short spark plug of sorts, the wire for it is laying below it taped over with electrical tape.  It goes back to a solenoid behind the engine.  Is this some sort of pre-heater?

And what is the plug on the side for?

Joe(TX) wrote: The spark plug looking thing is the air pre heater. There is normally a pipe plug in the side unless the is ether injection.

Thanks!  It has the first (?) series ether in the cab, the line is there but is not connected to anything.  So I can plumb the ether to the plug and hit the button for a quick shot?  That leads me to another question, if that pre-heater is connected/used, then hit the ether button (injecting right at the heat source), would that not make for a big bang (?) in the manifold itself?

Since this is going to be used mainly as a snow blower which system would be best for starting?  Our temps Jan/Feb can and does frequently dip well below zero, which system is best for starting at those temps?  I will say I don't favor ether after what I saw couple weeks back.  That is a 4020 with engine tore down, did a lot of destruction.  Guys wife gave the diesel a good dose of ether to start with throttle about half full..... engine did not take it well.  I don't want to do this to the 190!

Apologies if my question seems silly.  My other diesel tractor has block heaters and glow plugs, it still does not like to be woke up during low temps.

First off, I wouldn't worry about explaining it to your wife, more concerned what you will tell the sheriff when the guy who "sold" it for $1,200 reports it as theft! LOL

I would go with the engine pre heat.  As long as you have good batteries, it will do the job, of course if you have a plug in engine heater, that is even better.

Oh, is that a MM Jet Star in the background?  The one without back feet?