B2650 and very cold weather

[HEC]

I had to go out in 0 degree weather this morning to take care of 6 inches of new snow . The tractor is in a heated area so starting was no problem . I noticed when I drove it outside the temp. indicator wouldn't even stay at the 1 bar level even while working the tractor . I read on this forum about using a piece of cardboard with a 6 inch hole cut out, so I tried that and I could then get 1 bar most of the time but never anymore than that . Does running this cool do any harm , or should I just cover the entire front of the radiator with cardboard ?

 

[dodge man]

Is your thermostat working correctly. I'd think it would warm up better than you are getting.

 

[HEC]

Is your thermostat working correctly. I'd think it would warm up better than you are getting.

It seemed to be working just fine up until this morning , not sure if it was the weather or thermostat . I wasn't cold in the cab as I was getting some warm air from the heater, but not tee shirt hot for sure .

 

[Kanook]

HEC.....

I wouldn't be concerned. I managed to get mine up to 2 bars after clearing 14 driveways (working hard). Did you have plenty of heat inside the cab to keep you warm? If not, then there may be an issue but the B's have a pretty efficient cooling system and zero degrees is getting into 'better put on a jacket weather'..and the snow blowing back at you and into the grill adds to the cooling. A piece of cardboard to block airflow and snowflow will help if lack of cab heat is an issue.

 

[HEC]

HEC.....

I wouldn't be concerned. I managed to get mine up to 2 bars after clearing 14 driveways (working hard). Did you have plenty of heat inside the cab to keep you warm? If not, then there may be an issue but the B's have a pretty efficient cooling system and zero degrees is getting into 'better put on a jacket weather'..and the snow blowing back at you and into the grill adds to the cooling. A piece of cardboard to block airflow and snowflow will help if lack of cab heat is an issue.

Thanks Kanook for the reply as that makes me feel better . I did have enough heat to the point that I wasn't cold and didn't need gloves etc.. In the other storms I had to shut the heat off at times as it would get to warm .

 

[dodge man]

When its that cold, the cab heat might be all the engine needs to keep itself cool, the radiator might not even be doing anything.

 

[HEC]

When its that cold, the cab heat might be all the engine needs to keep itself cool, the radiator might not even be doing anything.

I think you may be right Dave , I know when it is really cold here even my car heater will cool down the engine if turned up to high .

 

[firemanmike69]

I think you may be right Dave , I know when it is really cold here even my car heater will cool down the engine if turned up to high .

My diesel truck does the same thing,add some cardboard in front of the radiator and see how it does.

 

[HEC]

I will cut another piece of card board and cover more of the radiator for next time . Glad I didn't have to go out this morning as it was 23 below when I got up . I think I need to move south , my good friend and neighbor just left for Fl. yesterday for good .

 

[oldballs]

My B2620 doesn't even get much warmer when running in the summer, using the MMM for several hours. But in past winters ( no snow this year) it even runs cooler than that when doing snow. Below zero F, I might put something in front of the radiator however. I don't have a cab.
Warm Cheers,
Mike

 

[HEC]

My B2620 doesn't even get much warmer when running in the summer, using the MMM for several hours. But in past winters ( no snow this year) it even runs cooler than that when doing snow. Below zero F, I might put something in front of the radiator however. I don't have a cab.
Warm Cheers,
Mike

Thanks Mike , I cut out a piece this afternoon that will cover the entire radiator . In the summer I will register 3 bars most of the time if working it hard .

 

[Chad450r]

No cab here, and when it's this cold I still get three bars, so long as the blower is moving snow.
I have more issue with the filter plugging up (snow- powder- ice), than anything else. Working on a fix ..

 

[HEC]

No cab here, and when it's this cold I still get three bars, so long as the blower is moving snow.
I have more issue with the filter plugging up (snow- powder- ice), than anything else. Working on a fix ..

I have used a hint that was given earlier on this forum of just moving the air intake over to one side and down a little , as you face the front of the tractor it would be to your right on what I did . It has worked for me thus far with no problems . I have checked the filter after coming in from blowing some snow and thus far it has stayed dry . Not sure how good it will work on a really windy day .

 

[tk tom]

Just over a week ago we registered -22° here and I was able to get the single temp bar to show up, and I wasn't working the tractor overly hard. Non-cab model here. If the cab heater is simply a second radiator blowing heat off the coolant lines, that may be the issue. I would bet if you left the heater fan low and heat setting lower until the engine warmed up fully, then turned up the heat you'd be fine. Same thing in my truck on the way to work. Keep the fan on low setting and keep the truck a gear or two lower and it warms up in half the time, then blast the heat. If I blast the heat from the start just to get what I can from it, it takes nearly forever to get up to temp. In your case, you could block most of the radiator off and use the cab heater to keep the engine temps down