BX-1850 runs much hotter than BX-24

montelatici · May 2, 2008

I mowed a field today and it got up to the 80s here in Maryland. In tall grass, with the 54 inch MMM, the gauge was running close (1/4") from the red on the 1850 (running at 2,600 RPM during break-in). With the BX24, it never got closer than 1/2 inch from the red in the hottest days of summer with a 60" MMM. Is just that these step gauges are inaccurate. The 1850 only has 2-3 hours on it so I guess it will run cooler after break-in, but the BX24 never indicated such high temps. Any such experiences.

Hedgy · May 3, 2008

Did you find some earlier threads on this topic? Some are collected here .

montelatici · May 3, 2008

Thanks, but those solutions seem to be for tractors that have had at least some use. This 1850 worked for the first time yesterday, i.e. it is brand new. I will probably call the dealer Monday prior to using it again, I guess that the gauge doesn't lie like step gauges on cars do sometimes.

Taiser · May 3, 2008

From my experience the temp gauge on Kubota's are very inaccurate at the best of times. I use it as a guide and that's it. On my B7800 the thing barely moves, even in the summer in +35c running full bore on the BH it barely registers 1/4 inch above the bottom line.

I wouldn't be too worried about it, but if you are getting nervous about it get an acurate gauge and tie it in to your cooling line. I'd make sure you do the regular checks too, to make sure the rad isnt' gunked up with leaves and grass, oil level, proper level of coolant, etc...

Tom_H · May 3, 2008

The temp. sensors, senders, guages, etc. on BX tractors sometimes have issues. Some seem to work correctly, some not.

If the tractor has never previously been used, it could be any of those or the thermostatic valve.

On a used BX, the radiator fan tends to suck a lot of material through the outer screen (in front of the battery) and then through the square screen behind the battery. Especially when brush hogging, I have to remove both of those screens and vacuum off the face of the radiator every hour or so. The radiator face is square, but on its face is a circle of debris, the same diameter as the fan, embedded in the radiator fins. I use the wand attachment on a shop vac to get it off (some blast with air compressor from the other side). It goes right back to normal temp.

Again, I do hear you. This is a new tractor, so debris should not be the problem here. If you have a radiator thermometer, you might want to check the temp. indicated by that with what the guage is showing.

Good luck. Please come back and tell us how it turned out.

montelatici · May 3, 2008

Spoke to the dealer today (picked up the manual that wasn't delivered with the tractor). He asked if I was mowing at full throttle, I said no as I was doing the break-in. He said that it will run hotter at less than partial throttle. May be the case, but the BX24 (with a 60" mower) in the same grass did not show that high of a temp. on the gauge. Maybe the 6 extra HP make a difference.

Tom_H · May 3, 2008

montelatici said:
Maybe the 6 extra HP make a difference.

That doesn't seem likely. The cooling system should work.

montelatici · May 3, 2008

That's what I thought.

LBrown59 · May 4, 2008

montelatici said:
I mowed a field today and it got up to the 80s here in Maryland. In tall grass, with the 54 inch MMM, the gauge was running close (1/4") from the red on the 1850 (running at 2,600 RPM during break-in). With the BX24, it never got closer than 1/2 inch from the red in the hottest days of summer with a 60" MMM. Is just that these step gauges are inaccurate. The 1850 only has 2-3 hours on it so I guess it will run cooler after break-in, but the BX24 never indicated such high temps. Any such experiences.

I'v experienced just the opposite .
My BX1500 runs a lot cooler than the BX23.
Needle hardly gets off the bottom line.
What do you use 2 BXs for ?
I have 3 BXs
1 for mowng BH and FEL work.
another for Tiller and front blade jobs
and the third one for mowing in tight spots and using rear mounted implements.

Bob_Young · May 4, 2008

I'm sure you've already done it, Monty, but because no one else has suggested it, check the screen in front of the radiator. Mine usually fills up mowing the tall stuff. Once it does that, the temp gauge climbs quickly. When it gets past midway, I shut down and clean the screen.

You might also want to try blowing out the radiator (opposite to the direction the fan moves the air) with compressed air. Might be some fine stuff lodged in there.

Also, let it cool off and then make sure the radiator's full of coolant....not just the overflow tank. Being new, there could be a blockage in the overflow tube. Simple stuff, I know, but worth checking.
Bob