5030 Cab AC

Hootie · Jul 20, 2006

I know this has been hashed out before but I cannot believe that my AC is cooling to its potential. Yesterday it was 103 w/high humidity, I was in the cab for over an hour and it never really got cool. I was running at 2000 rpm's and was set on recirculate. I have:

-lined the roof with foil insulation
-kept the roof filter clean
-kept the condenser blown free of dust (daily)

I raked hay in another brand of tractor over the weekend and ended up having to turn the AC down.

There's gotta be something I'm missing. My dealer tells me that it is not low on freon. I am not asking for it to keep the drinks cold, just keep me cool. I would really like to not have to run it at maximum the entire time I am in it.

Dargo · Jul 20, 2006

We only got to 101 yesterday, but I was out for 5 hours (afternoon hours) bush hogging and I kept plenty cool while in the tractor. You do have two screens in the front. Maybe you are doing like I was and cleaning the screen in front of the radiator, but missing the small screen behind the radiator but in front of the condenser? If both screens are clean and your cab filter is clean, you have the roof insulated, something is wrong.

FamilyFarm · Jul 20, 2006

I haven't had as much experience as either of you in this heat with the cab, but did some work one day this week, late in the day, temps probably 98+. I'd guess the inside temp stayed in the upper 70's and I just now realized I never reached back to flip it to recirculate!
Terry

lawn_king · Jul 21, 2006

the ac in my kubota is so cold, i never need to go above the low setting.

Hootie · Jul 21, 2006

I did as Dargo suggested, I cleaned (with air) the front screen, the back screen (in front of the radiator), the AC condenser coil, and the radiator while I was at it. Did a little work, maybe 45 min, it stayed on MAX/recirculate the whole time. I realize at an outside air temp of 104 that your AC is not going to get really cold but as I said earlier, I think something is amiss. I will call my dealer again. I sure thank you guys for your input. Looks like we are going to get a cool wave starting tomorrow with the temps only reaching in the low 90's! No doubt there will be no second cut of hay for me.

keving · Jul 21, 2006

I echo the other's statements about being very cool in the upper 90's and lower 100's. Sounds like you checked everything. In the upper 90's, I can run the AC on low without the recirc and still be comfortable.

slowzuki · Jul 21, 2006

L5030 / Daryl had to install a ball valve in his coolant line as hot water from the engine was still getting into the heater core ever at the coldest slide spot. He also fabbed some rubber wings to force the air flow through the condensor.

I had a link to the thread but the board upgrade killed all my favorite links.

Hootie · Jul 21, 2006

I drove to the local Chev. dealership, they put the machine on it. The specs say to have a maximum of 2.20 lbs of freon, it had 2.58. They said having too much can work like not having enough. After pulling a vacum, they put 2.20 in it but it still got down to only 86 degrees. They were confident the problem is an expansion valve. I called my Bota dealer (who by the way is very cooperative, 45 minute drive from where I live) and they have one on order for me. Maybe this is the problem.

Hootie · Aug 2, 2006

We have gone through all the possible solutions and now we suspect a bad piston in the compressor. The Kubota regional service tech. is coming to my dealer this morning to check for himself. My dealer has really been thorough and Kubota has been equally cooperative. I'll keep you posted.

keving · Aug 2, 2006

Hootie said:
We have gone through all the possible solutions and now we suspect a bad piston in the compressor. The Kubota regional service tech. is coming to my dealer this morning to check for himself. My dealer has really been thorough and Kubota has been equally cooperative. I'll keep you posted.

It's great to hear that you are getting cooperation between the dealer and Kubota. Look forward to you getting "cooler"

slowzuki · Aug 2, 2006

Ouch bad piston sounds like new compressor which is $$$. I hope mine holds up well. I try to run it once a month even in winter keep it lubed up.

Hootie · Aug 2, 2006

I happened to be there when the Bota service man showed up from Ft. Worth. It was not the compressor, it was the valve. We had it sitting in the shop running at 2000 rpm's on recirculate and the air got to 45 degrees. I will be in hay field tomorrow.

texasjohn · Aug 2, 2006

Wow!!! 45 degrees..... how wonderful! What was cost of replacing the valve if you don't mind?? I may be in same boat.

keving · Aug 2, 2006

Did some work here in Virginia today and I had to turn down the air! It was probably about 95+

You will love it!

Hootie · Aug 2, 2006

Mine was warranty work so I do not know the cost, sorry. Got home from work today, the dealer had delivered the 5030, hooked up the hog and went to cutting. I was amazed at the difference. Since I took delivery in july of '05, it has never cooled like this. Wow!

MODiesel · Aug 3, 2006

I also might need to have my L5030HSTC looked at. It seems to cool very well when running at PTO RPM, but anything less than that and it's only lukewarm. I've cleaned my screens, and last night I pulled the roof and added the foil-bubble-bubble-foil insulation. I noticed that the cab filter was pretty dirty, but a replacement from Tractorsmart is $36!

So, I think I'll just blow it out.

Anyway, I'll see if the insulation and a cleaner filter will help. I've also noticed that the AC clutch squeals intermittently, which makes me wonder if it's not fully engaging. The belt seems tight, so I don't think it's that. Where is the valve that is mentioned here? Is it under the hood, or up under the roof? I'm curious at this point...

Regards,
Jay

jrepp · Aug 3, 2006

I have also installed the bubble wrap, it helped some; however, I seem to get the best cooling by closing all three of the large vents at the front windshield and only allowing the air to come out the vents above the doors and side windows.

Doc_Bob · Aug 3, 2006

Hootie said:
I happened to be there when the Bota service man showed up from Ft. Worth. It was not the compressor, it was the valve. We had it sitting in the shop running at 2000 rpm's on recirculate and the air got to 45 degrees. I will be in hay field tomorrow.

45?!!!!!! Cripes, a few more degrees and you can keep potato salad in there!
Bob

Hootie · Aug 4, 2006

I know I could not believe it. That was the air temp. coming out of the vents.

tom9961 · Aug 4, 2006

Hootie

My L5030 HSTC AC is acting the sameway. I have tinted the glass, bubble foiled the roof and kept all the filters and screens clean. I put a thermometer in the cab this morning while bush hogging and after 1 hour the inside temp was 90 and climbing. I got the tractor in 05 and it did ok in the spring and fall but as soon as the outside temp gets going it want cool worth a ****. My dealership seems more than willing to help but I don.t think they have a clue what to do. I asked them to check they freon and they told me to take to some other shop thet they couldn't checkit. I asked what what temp the air entering the cab should be and you guessed it they didn't know.

Can you tell me anymore about the bad valve that was replaced and how it is working now?

Looks like I have to become a AC ecpert to tell them what they need to fix!

Thanks

Has anybody else had any luck getting their AC to cool theit cab if they were having problems?