adding a temperture gauge.

[NewClimber]

Has anyone added an aftermarket temp gauge to your tractor. I have a B7100 and it doesn't have a temp gauge. I am new to this and after brush hogging for some time I noticed the radiator was very full of seeds and stuff. Hopefully I didn't go to long....Anyway, I was looking for any help on where to install it...where did you get your parts needed..etc..

 

[ronjhall]

I never put a gage on my B7100. But the B7100 has a whistle in the overflow line that will let you know when engine is getting hot.

 

[NewClimber]

Thanks very much for this information..I didn't know that.

 

[johnday]

Hey Ron; How did you find that out? /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[ronjhall]

When I filled radiator after flushing and cleaning with new antifreeze, I overfilled it. Antifreeze overflowed and made the whistle go off. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Bird]

The lack of a temperature gauge concerned me, too, when I had a B7100. One of Kubota's factory service reps told me not to worry about it, that it would whistle if it ever started overheating. I can't say I was entirely satisfied, but at least mine never whistled at me. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[AntrimMan]

To be honest, I do look at the temp gauge but very ocassionally. I would bet that most operators look at the temp gauge as the very first course of action once they notice steam or anti freeze spouting forth. My advice is save your money and get in the habit of cleaning the screen often. The addition of a temp gauge won't stop the machine from whistling at you.
Hmmm, that sounds kind of heavy handed, that's not me.
Should you decide on adding a guage, may I suggest the type that has a "bulb" on the sensor end. Pretty much a thermometer in construction. It requires no electrical connection to operate and thusly simplifies installation and is inherently reliable due to reduction of working parts. I added one on my air cooled motorcycle, no complaints.

All the best, post us some pics please if you go with one.
Martin

 

[B7200E]

I have added a mechanical temp gauge to both of my tractors. One is a B7200E and the other is a B6200 hst
Personally, I can't imagine putting so much at stake on a whistle.
What if your water pump goes out and your whistle fails? Anyone here gonna tell me you can't have two malfunctions at once?
For $25.00 and an hours worth of time, you can tell exactly what your engine is doing.
On my engines in the front RH of the cylinder head, there is a threaded plug that goes into a water jacket. If you remove that plug, drill and tap it for a 1/8" NPT, the sending unit will install right there. You can tap into a power wire out of the column so the gauge comes on with the turn of the key.
I know a cylinder head repair cost me $800.00 and I did the work so I will never own a tractor without gauges again.
Have ya ever saw a cylinder head that has had water damage? It is ugly. And the cracks in the exhaust valve seats were not to pretty either. So you tell me theirs little value in a temp gauge?

 

[B2400]

It would be interesting to see what kind of engine temps the B7100 operates at. This model doesn't use a water pump, but relies on the thermo-cycle principle to cool the engine. Warmer water rises and cooler water falls thus starting and maintaining some form of circulation thru the engine. Food for thought ,huh? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[boatright56]

Looking to see if anyone can tell me the size I need to put a temperature sensor in a L275 kubota I found the plug just need to know which is the best fit for it