ASV-Loftness Oil Cooler? Reversing fan?

groundhawg · Jul 7, 2007

I have talked to people who say cooling is a major issue w/ ASV 100 used for mulching, anybody else experiencing this or is it false information, and what have yall done to correct it? The Loftness cooler is designed to mount on the roof which would pose a problem since ASV mounts AC up top. I was thinking it could be mounted between the risers on forestry pkg. w/ maybe an extra guard added. Several dealers I have talked to are installing reversing fans, but at around $5,000 I was wondering how effective they are, and if they eliminate the need for frequent radiator cleaning? Any info would be much appreciated.

Terra Firma Scott · Jul 7, 2007

I was quoted 4K for the Loftness Hydraulic Oil cooler installed on my CAT 257B High Flow..I too am in search of anyway to get the temps down on my machine..Every 2 hours shutting down to blow out the radiator and oil cooler is tedious BUT NECCESSARY!!!! I just got her back yesterday from a New engine install and nervous to mulch again....I called loftness to speak with the engineer who designed the add on oil cooler package and we have been playing phone tag..Understanding the add on cooler is for HYDRAULIC oil not COOLANT..My question for him is will the effect of cooling the hyd oil ALSO help bring down the coolant temp since the oil running through the hyd portion of the radiator is cooler now...It may be different on ASV or other machines but the CATS share the same cooling fan and grill for both Hyd oil cooling and Radiator...The radiator and hyd oil cooler are built together side by side not stacked one on top of the other...It looks like one big radiator..2/3rds being for coolant and 1/3rd being for hyd oil...I was told CAT utilizes high Hyd oil capacities versus the other manufactures? My machine hyd oil capacity is nearly 14 gallons..I have never seen the hyd oil temp overheat lamp on ...Only the COOLANT overheat lamp....So will the add on cooler benefit me?? The add on fan kit seems right and I like the idea of it self reversing every 10 mins..very cleanable looks like...I dont have the issue you have with not being able to roof mount...May be a challenge for you...The VP of Loftness told me they have been using these coolers on Alot of ASPLUNDH's equipment...They love em he said...I am looking for real world feedback or testimonials from someone mounting the cooler on the same machine as I...Cat...And yourself ASV..

groundhawg · Jul 8, 2007

What happened to your last engine, did the heat kill it? You would think that the companies especially the ones who offers a forestry package and cutter head would solve this problem. They are improving protection, but not cooling capacity. Anyway I think by cooling hyd fluid it will also keep coolant levels down since they are circulated to the same fan. I think your hyd. overheat lamp doesnt come on because hyd fluid can operate at higher temps, but not positive. I presently dont have a mulcher, I do a lot of bush hogging. I frequently have to blow the radiator out. In tall weeds that are seeded out, you can watch the temp rise, but stop clean out the radiator screen and by the time you climb back in the seat the temp is back down to normal. Wondering if it is the same w/ the mulchers, as soon as you blow out the radiator does your temp immediately drop, or do you have to let it sit idle to get it down. Dont know if you have seen the cleanfix reversing fans Cleanfix reversible fans they replace your existing fan, and at set intervals the blades rotate on the hub reversing airflow essentially blowing out the radiator and coolers automatically. This seems like it would fix the problem to me what do yall think, anybody using one?

Kenneth A Skoczen · Oct 11, 2007

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