Mowing BX25 overheating while bush hogging

[RaydaKub]

Due to the nature of the fan direction - it pulls the heat from the rad and pushes the hot air OVER the engine. I can understand why it can get hot fast due to direction of fan blowing.

It blows forward, which is the opposite of most vehicles and tractors I've seen, but as near as I can tell, most of them blow toward the engine block.

 

[cajunInExile]

My little BX has had the removable screen clog up on occasion running the MMM. When it's happened temp runs hot. I try to clean it regularly and no problems running hot.

I have the same 4' Bush Hog on a BX 25 and I overheat whenever I'm cutting dry stuff. Usually after a few hours. It doesn't just get in the removable screen, it gets around the screen and into the vanes of the radiator. I usually have to take a break and let it cool off, then get a hose and blast the radiator from under the hood to get the fuzzies out. Then, blast with the hose straight down where the screen goes and knock off what you pushed out. I wish there was a better design, but it is what it is. I'm usually bush hogging some fairly tall weeds and the cutter throws a lot of dust out to the front which finds it's way between the screen and the radiator.

 

[montelatici]

On the BX 1850 that I have, the temperature sensor is very close to the exhaust manifold. It tends to transmit the exhaust temperature instead of the cooling liquid temp. I also have a BX 24 and an L3700SU that never go past the middle of the temp. gauge.

 

[like2wheel]

It tends to transmit the exhaust temperature instead of the cooling liquid temp.

How did you determine that?

 

[itsjustme]

The temperature sensor is directly above the exhaust manifold. Thermal energy tends to expand/rise.

The sensor can be relocated to the opposite side of the engine if you desired too...Per my dealer tech

 

[snpower]

It doesn't take much clogging of the fins on a BX to drive the temp upward; I've included checking/cleaning mine everytime I grease.

 

[Bryan H]

Couple of issues here, first - your running a micro tractor BX through 1' to 3' of grass. Second - your running the BX in "high" gear. The tractor will do the job!!! Pull that decorative engine shroud off your tractor and leave the hood on. You will need to run your rotary cutter all the way up on the highest cut setting to get through the tall, thick grass. RPM's should be at 2900 and your either going slow in the "high" gear or full on in the "low" gear. Your cutter blades on that TSC 4' bush hog need to be sharp. Your temp gauge will run up on the scale with about 1/4" space to the red zone. Do not expect a BX to "MOW" down 3' of grass at full throttle, in high gear without overheating. That would be the same as putting the bass boat on the back of the pick up and running to the next state at 100 mph, truck will overheat! You will need to make a second pass with the cutter adjusted to get that closer cut.
I am maintaining 28 acres of horse pasture with a BX2360 and Land Pride 60" finish mower off the three point hitch. I run the fence line and rain ditches with a 42" craftsman mower and the BX2360 does the rest. Hope this helps, Good Luck, God Bless!

 

[RaydaKub]

I am maintaining 28 acres of horse pasture with a BX2360 and Land Pride 60" finish mower off the three point hitch. I run the fence line and rain ditches with a 42" craftsman mower and the BX2360 does the rest. Hope this helps, Good Luck, God Bless!

28 acres with a BX? Holy smokes! I love my BX but I've also done farm work with bigger iron. A BX must take several days to mow that much.

 

[LD1]

I am just guessing here, but I assume he has alot of horses, and just mows the weeds and areas the horses dont eat????

 

[xzcVAbc5]

This tread was 11 months old before it got revived. Hopefully the problem is already figured out.

 

[oldballs]

This old news is still good news for some of us. Thank you thread police.
Cheers,
Mike

 

[Coyote machine]

At 11 months it's just getting moldy, just like a good cheese!:licking:
And Kubota owner's sometimes take a long time to get round to doing some things- least that's what I heard one time

 

[dragoneggs]

This tread was 11 months old before it got revived. Hopefully the problem is already figured out.

But a great first post from Bryan! I like the 'I'm new here' posts but he dove in with both feet! Welcome.

 

[Bryan H]

Spring thru Fall is not stop mowing, bush hogging, and weed whacking. Yes we have horses. As herds are rotated into pastures or BX2360 is deployed to mow the pastures recently vacated. It is a non-stop process.
After performing recent maintenance, I wish to include some information. The screen below the steering wheel gets removed, the pull out screen in front of radiator gets removed, and battery gets removed. You will be able to see that debris accumulates directly in front of the battery. Covering about 1/3 of the radiator, you cannot visually see the giant birds nest that is caked onto the radiator from above at the radiator cap. This debris can be carefully removed with a vacuum and plastic parts. No rubbing back and forth, just gentle dabbing. You will be surprised how much debris coagulates at this location.
Good Luck, God Bless! Sorry this info did not come to mind on previous post.

 

[mapper]

I did not see anything in this thread about setting up the brush hog. When you are using a relatively low power tractor, set up the hog so that the front is a bit lower than the back. This way you are only cutting with the front of the mower. I used to have an 8N and this little trick made a huge difference in how hard the engine had to work in heavy tall grass.

 

[Berniep]

I never had any problem with my 4 foot bush hog type mower behind my bx23. Well overheating anyway. Got lots of flat tires

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

My '24 started really pushing the red while hogging this season. Main problem was a slipping fan belt. Worn too far to adjust. Fan was spinning, but not pulling enough air. Replacement made a big difference.

As to cleaning the radiator, this helps.

Z.