2025R Temp Gauge

[jsb2b]

I have a 2018 2025R with 17 hours that has a temp gauge that never gets above 1/4 when warmed up. Can someone out there tell me what their gauge reads when it's warmed up? 3 times after mowing on 80-90 degree days, I've pulled back in the garage to find antifreeze on the boot of the 4WD shaft and on the floor. The hose above the boot leads to the coolant expansion tank. The radiator screen is either partially blocked or totally blocked with debris. I've never seen the expansion tank full but it obviously was because the overflow hose is at the top of it. The idiot light on the dash NEVER comes on and the temp gauge NEVER gets to the red area. I'm thinking the sensor in the thermostat housing is defective. Anything else to think of?
Thanks
Added: The coolant level, when cold was on the Full-Cold line since delivery. Now it is about 1/8 inch below the line.

 

[beenthere]

I think there is no problem, and the expansion tank is doing its job.. but was too full to begin with. A pic of the level of coolant in your tank would help.
Only is what I think and from my experience, so others may see it differently. My yanmar diesel doesn't get above that 1/4 on the temp gauge regardless of air temp or how hard the engine has been worked.

 

[jgayman]

My 2720 didn't come with a temperature gauge - just an idiot light. I was originally planning on installing a gauge but since I don't use it for mowing I figured there wasn't any point in going to all the trouble to install a gauge only to have it read cold all of the time.