Without Kubota engineers to confirm they actually designed this machine as tightly as you think it remains... what you believe is your opinion not a fact.
BX-24 Cooling w/ hood open
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Without Kubota engineers to confirm they actually designed this machine as tightly as you think it remains... what you believe is your opinion not a fact.
some zilch
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i work at a bobcat/kubota/kobelco/wirtgen/sweepster dealership, and have been to kubota school, put on by kubota, at kubota facilities, and have heard this from kubota training personel. i have been through kubota's electrical, cooling, hydrostat, and hydraulics courses. it is a fact, not an opinion.
oh, and think about this: how many tractors do you see with the hood open while they are sitting there powering stationary equipment like generators, water pumps, log splitters, etc?? i've never seen any, not one. some people think into things way too much.
MacTractor
Silver Member
Cooling in any device/machine is designed as a system and there are many parts to this system. I would bet money that the engine cover is part of this system. If you take a part of this system out, it will most likely not function as designed.
A very specific case of this exisits in the computer/server industry. Some people feel that to help their computer deal with heat better, they remove the case. In most cases, this causes the opposite as the case is part of the airflow management of the unit. Many of todays servers will not even boot with any part of the case removed as cooling system is engineered to require all parts and without the case, airflow is disrupted to the point where the server would most likley overheat and fail in a matter of minutes.
One other thing to consider is that you may be doing more damage than good as well with running your tractor with the engine cover open. Most of the hoses and plastic components that are under the hood, most likley are not designed to be in direct sunlignt for long periods of time. Plastics require UV inhibitors if they are in direct sunlight and there are considerations with longevity when adding UV Stabilizers to plastics. I would also bet money that most of the items under the hood do not take this into consideration.
Cheers,
A very specific case of this exisits in the computer/server industry. Some people feel that to help their computer deal with heat better, they remove the case. In most cases, this causes the opposite as the case is part of the airflow management of the unit. Many of todays servers will not even boot with any part of the case removed as cooling system is engineered to require all parts and without the case, airflow is disrupted to the point where the server would most likley overheat and fail in a matter of minutes.
One other thing to consider is that you may be doing more damage than good as well with running your tractor with the engine cover open. Most of the hoses and plastic components that are under the hood, most likley are not designed to be in direct sunlignt for long periods of time. Plastics require UV inhibitors if they are in direct sunlight and there are considerations with longevity when adding UV Stabilizers to plastics. I would also bet money that most of the items under the hood do not take this into consideration.
Cheers,
rdsaustintx
Veteran Member
The question could be objectively evaluated with an infrared camera. But I just ain't that curious. I *want* air flowing through the entire engine compartment.
After hard mowing I idle down for 5 minutes, then open the hood after shut down. Lets heat out and reminds me to check the oil next time I start up.
If BX's have a heat management issue, it is the hydraulics. No oil cooler. The hydro consistently runs 90-100 degrees (F) above ambient. Attached image is after trenching (BH) on a 90 degree day.
After hard mowing I idle down for 5 minutes, then open the hood after shut down. Lets heat out and reminds me to check the oil next time I start up.
If BX's have a heat management issue, it is the hydraulics. No oil cooler. The hydro consistently runs 90-100 degrees (F) above ambient. Attached image is after trenching (BH) on a 90 degree day.
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johnny_law
Member
All I can say is that I would not want to run my BX-24 without the airflow being forced around the engine/exhaust system for any length of time. More to keep the plastic cowling that surrounds the lower portion of the engine compartment cool. Without the hood closed air is not being forced around the engine and forced out away from the lower shield. Heat radiation could have an effect on the plastics. It's your BX and do what you want with it but I will side on the cautious side and run it as designed.
The actual cooling affect aside, have you ever seen how bad the hood vibrates while opened and running. I'd be afraid that it would shake all the hardware loose and break something. I also pop my hood after I get done on a hot day. It's amazing how much heat pours off the engine when shut off.
thavil
Platinum Member
It could have something to do with the title of this thread?
crbr
Veteran Member
Disipation of heat in any manner is a good thing with regards to precautionary measures in the prevention of overheating.
I feel the same way about how this machine (while I love it for what it can do and how well it performs most tasks) just does not seem designed to run at a 100% duty cycle. I have had the "heat" problem both when BH'ing for long periods of time in the heat as well as using the FEL for a couple of hours straight.
I agree with the thought that an external cooling coil (see the Surplus link) placed on the return line to the tank would go a long way to helping things out.
https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2009071918380752&item=9-5357&catname=hydraulic
For about $120 bucks (for the unit, hoses, some 12v computer fans and some couplers), I plan on building one of these at some point to help out this problem. I am not sure how much it will help, but I have burned myself leaning against a ram by accident after heavy use.
This verbiage is from MaintenanceWorld.com: Solving hydraulic system overheating problems - Insider Secrets To Hydraulics
Hydraulic fluid temperature - how hot is 'too hot'?
Hydraulic fluid temperatures above 180 ½°F (82 ½°C) damage most seal compounds and accelerate degradation of the oil. While the operation of any hydraulic system at temperatures above 180 ½°F should be avoided, fluid temperature is too high when viscosity falls below the optimum value for the hydraulic system's components. This can occur well below 180 ½°F, depending on the fluid's viscosity grade.
Based on the thermal image and my own personal experience, I would bet that the fluid is getting hotter than what is optimal during long use periods. As far as the concern for this thread, I feel the engine is sufficiently cooled by its liquid cooled radiator, the hydraulics on the other hand are a completely different issue.
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