Kubota overheating

[WyomingBorn]

My Kubota L3000dt is overheating when I run my shredder via the PTO. I have checked the coolant, cleaned the radiator/grille and pulled the thermostat and still overheating very quickly. Any ideas on next steps would be appreciated.

 

[CH4Ohio]

Fan belt and fan in good condition? Fan belt tight?

 

[CH4Ohio]

After that it would be water pump . . .

 

[Hay Dude]

My Kubota L3000dt is overheating when I run my shredder via the PTO. I have checked the coolant, cleaned the radiator/grille and pulled the thermostat and still overheating very quickly. Any ideas on next steps would be appreciated.

So when I had that issue and took the same steps you took, you might discover your radiator isn’t really clean.
I have to clean mine with a garden hose to flush out all the cooling fin openings.
Once I did that, problem was solved

 

[RickB]

A very high percentage of folks that think their radiator cores are clean are mistaken.

 

[4570Man]

Take an ir thermometer and see if the radiator is hot. If you don’t have one just hold your hand on the outside of it. If it’s too hot to touch it’s not loosing heat either because it’s dirty or the fan belt is slipping. If it’s cool coolant isn’t circulating properly. There’s also the possibility the sending unit is bad and it’s not actually overheating. If we’re betting my money goes on dirty radiator or slipping fan maybe both.

 

[4570Man]

So when I had that issue and took the same steps you took, you might discover your radiator isn’t really clean.
I have to clean mine with a garden hose to flush out all the cooling fin openings.
Once I did that, problem was solved

That’s the same problem I had when my mower was overheating. The “clean” radiator wasn’t so clean. Using a pressure washer from a distance being careful not to deform the fins and a scrub brush I cleaned the radiator until it was actually clean and no more overheating.

 

[ptsg]

A very high percentage of folks that think their radiator cores are clean are mistaken.

I also suspect that a decent amount of people think that just cleaning the removable screen in front of the radiator is enough.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Radiator dirty on inside. Put a cup of dishwasher detergent in radiator and use it a while. Fins could be rusted off on water pump impeller. But I wouldn't look at that until I was sure radiator was clean. Next could be head gasket, but you dont seém to have that problem. Or you may need to just slow down.

Id say cruddy radiator. I have gotten lots of crap out of clean radiators.

 

[WyomingBorn]

I also suspect that a decent amount of people think that just cleaning the removable screen in front of the radiator is enough.

That makes sense. My cleaning could have been half hearted. Would you recommend actually pulling it out or cleaning it while in the tractor still?

 

[4570Man]

That makes sense. My cleaning could have been half hearted. Would you recommend actually pulling it out or cleaning it while in the tractor still?

Pulling it out would be the best thing to do. While you’re in the process of that pull the top hose and start the tractor. If it blows the water out pretty rapidly you could confirm the water pump is working. Also put the thermostat back in. It needs it for proper operation.

 

[MoKelly]

Radiator dirty on inside. Put a cup of dishwasher detergent in radiator and use it a while. Fins could be rusted off on water pump impeller. But I wouldn't look at that until I was sure radiator was clean. Next could be head gasket, but you dont seém to have that problem. Or you may need to just slow down.

Id say cruddy radiator. I have gotten lots of crap out of clean radiators.

I never heard to do this - a cup of dishwater detergent in the radiator.

Do all agree this is a good thing to do?

MoKelly

 

[ptsg]

That makes sense. My cleaning could have been half hearted. Would you recommend actually pulling it out or cleaning it while in the tractor still?

If you have things apart already, I would take the radiator off and make sure it's nice and clean on the fins.

 

[Hay Dude]

That makes sense. My cleaning could have been half hearted. Would you recommend actually pulling it out or cleaning it while in the tractor still?

No just flush it with a garden hose with pointed stream of water.
Get ready to be surprised at what comes out
Chocolate milk comes to mind.

Stay on it until water runs 100% clean. takes a while

 

[Diggin It]

My Kubota L3000dt is overheating when I run my shredder via the PTO.

What happens when doing other tasks?

 

[K5lwq]

I never heard to do this - a cup of dishwater detergent in the radiator.

Do all agree this is a good thing to do?

MoKelly

I have done that plenty of times. It works well. I drain it first then use distilled water and dishwashing powder. Run it for a few minutes with thermostat out. Then drain and rinse. It does a great job of getting all the crud out of the system.

Here is a video of the last one I did. Did not use the radiator because it is a new one.

Flushing block

 

[the old grind]

What happens when doing other tasks?

6' slasher? IMO even a 5' is a lot for <30hp at the PTO. What gear and ground speed are we mowing at?

 

[RickB]

6' slasher? IMO even a 5' is a lot for <30hp at the PTO. What gear and ground speed are we mowing at?

More importantly what are you cutting?

 

[WyomingBorn]

What happens when doing other tasks?

No problems. Makes me wonder if my shredder isn't lubricated properly and forcing the engine to work too hard?

 

[WyomingBorn]

6' slasher? IMO even a 5' is a lot for <30hp at the PTO. What gear and ground speed are we mowing at?

Running in 3rd and it's a 5' shredder.