Cold running Kubota

[Stomper]

I was out playing on my Kubota L2501 today in -18c weather and I noticed that the engine temp gauge was still in the cold range. I felt the rad hoses and the the one was barely warm and the other was actually cool to the touch. I know this isn't a big engine by no means but is this normal to run this cool in winter. I typicaly only run it in the 1500-1800 rpm range could this be why. What should I be running it at, I'm new to this tractor thing. The pto is running 540rpm when the engine is idling at 2000 rpm.

 

[Rock Crawler]

You may want to put cardboard in front of the radiator like we all used to do in the coldest parts of winter on trucks and cars up here in the salt belt. Some engine/radiator combinations just do not create enough engine heat to get the water hot as fast as the radiator sheds heat off.

You can also try replacing the thermostat in case it is stuck open, but you may have to cardboard it a bit.

 

[LD1]

A gear tractor......yes they run that cold. Just not burning enough fuel.

A gallon per hour or less fuel being burn isnt many BTUS to keep all that iron, block, radiator with fan blowing....just not enough to keep all that warm when that cold out.

HST would have a better chance.....but thats still real cold.

 

[CobyRupert]

I typicaly only run it in the 1500-1800 rpm range could this be why. What should I be running it at, I'm new to this tractor thing. The pto is running 540rpm when the engine is idling at 2000 rpm.

Not familiar with the L2501, but:
"Idling" at 2000 rpm? Operating at 1500-1800 rpm is probably normal, Running 540 pto rpm at 2000 engine rpm sounds normal.

Like others have said, check thermostat. Engine should come up to temp, eventually, at these rpms, regardless of the fan/radiator if the thermostat is closed when it's suppose to be. Also check that the temp gauge/temp sensor is accurate.

 

[Soldier415]

Not familiar with the L2501, but:
"Idling" at 2000 rpm? Operating at 1500-1800 rpm is probably normal, Running 540 pto rpm at 2000 engine rpm sounds normal.

I have to run around 2600 RPM to get 540 PTO in my L3430

 

[ericm979]

The 2501 is a detuned higher HP Kubota engine. It runs at a low rpm because of the tuning and the PTO is geared to accomodate.

 

[rScotty]

Stomper posted: " I noticed that the engine temp gauge was still in the cold range..."

It doesn't sound like a gauge that reports "Cold" is giving us much useful information. Does anyone know what "cold & hot" on the Kubota temperature guage corresponds to in degrees? That would be a good place to start. Better yet, are there optional readouts?
rScotty

 

[jdom84]

I think the question is... how long were you out playing? Also the radiator hose will only get warm when the fluid flows once the thermostat reaches temp. So the next question after determined how long its been running for, where is the sensor located?

 

[Stomper]

I was out using the tractor off and on for a couple hours with some idle time in there also. Here is a picture of my temperature gauge, it is cold in the picture because it is sitting in my shop but when it was running it was sitting around the red mark that I very poorly drew on there in paint.

 

[Jerry/MT]

I was out playing on my Kubota L2501 today in -18c weather and I noticed that the engine temp gauge was still in the cold range. I felt the rad hoses and the the one was barely warm and the other was actually cool to the touch. I know this isn't a big engine by no means but is this normal to run this cool in winter. I typicaly only run it in the 1500-1800 rpm range could this be why. What should I be running it at, I'm new to this tractor thing. The pto is running 540rpm when the engine is idling at 2000 rpm.

Unlike a spark ignition engine, a diesel won't warm up very quickly at idle. A gas engine has relatively constant peak gas temperatures so it will warm up at idle. With a diesel You have to put load on it to increase the peak gas temperature in the cylinders. Once you get it started, let the idle speed stabilize so it isn't clattering and clunking. Then put it under some load and it will warm up.