Cub Quietline tractors overheating with side panels on?

[gdechatham]

I had noticed that most pictures of Quietlines that I have seen are missing the side panels. I was told by a gentleman that some people feel that the side panels cause the Quietline series tractor to overheat. (Although there is no evidence of this) I am inclined to agree with this gentleman, as he has experience with these tractors having the side panels on and hasn't had a problem.

But I am curious to hear from other Quietline owners- what are your experiences regarding the difference between having the cover on and off? Has the performance degraded when the side covers are on them? If anyone has experienced overheating, was there a solution/modification found for it- aside from removing them altogether?

I looked all over the internet, but it seems that this is not a topic that is usually covered?


Thanks,
George

 

[CCinCT]

I've had my 1250 since early summer and not had any issues with overheating. I've mowed my lawn several times in temps above 80F, and never felt the tractor getting too hot. I think as long as you keep the air flow areas clean heat isn't a problem.

 

[Dascro]

Several years back I owned a 1650, which is a Quietline. I used it for many years mowing, rototilling, blowing snow and a bunch of other miscellaneous jobs. I always kept the side panels on and never had one problem with the engine overheating or poor performance.

Those tractors have been around a long, long time. I seriously doubt there is any objective truth or evidence to support engine overheating due to side panel use. The most likely cause of seeing Quietlines with no side panels are that they have been lost or simply broke after all these years.

 

[Fordlords]

This was actually tested long ago. If the air passages are kept clean, the Quietline engines run cooler with the side covers ON, as the system works like a ducted tunnel. I think what was said above is mainly the case today- as those tractors are so old, many of them have just lost or broke the side covers, as there is no benefit to removing them. Old men tend to do silly things, convincing themselves in their own minds that they are doing good when they really aren't. I once bought a car from an older man who ground all the manufacturer logos off the keys, so if anyone found the keys they wouldn't steal his car. All I could do was shake my head

-Fordlords-

 

[gdechatham]

Thanks guys, for your input. Much appreciated... Here are some quotes from another site for your guys benefit:

My Dad has a 1450 that he purchase new in 1977. He still running the side pannels and not having any problems.

The key to keep any air cooled motor from overheating is to keep the fins on the motor clean.

From another poster:

I ran a 782 for 22 years mowing my yard (1 1/2 acres) in all types of heat. The side panels were never off during operation and I never had any overheating problems.

From yet another poster:

I have noticed on most of my used cub cadets that they needed new headgaskets. On a few of my cub cadets the flywheel screen and fins on the head and engine block were plugged up with grass too. Both of these problems surely can cause the engines to run much hotter than the normal running temp. I just picked up a few tractors were the flywheel screen was completely gone too. I just got replacement ones from Ebay. I also noticed that on some tractors the little belly pan is missing too that allows grass to get up into the tractor frame and engine. I'm thinking that pan is put there for a reason. My CC108 was running hot because of the head gasket while my CC122 was overheating from the screen filled up with grass(no air flow to cool it)

Another quote from yet another poster:

The quietlines where built to run with the side panels on. If all the correct ducting for the engine, muffler, etc. is in place you should have no problems with overheating. Make sure the screen is clear of grass and debris and check everything over. They were designed to cool better with the side panels if I'm not mistaken.

Thanks again,
George

 

[art]

We see panels left off for the next time they need maintenience, not totally fixing a reacuring problem, hear what's going on with the engine better and a whole host of other reasons.
The ones that really hurt is the safety panels being left off and someone sticking their hand in!

 

[2manyrocks]

The quietlines are set up to pull air through with the panels on. Just need to be sure to keep the engine air fins cleaned out.

 

[artfull dodger]

Both of our 82 series, that came after the QL series, run thier side panels all the time, keeps the heat and noise away from the operator. The overheating is lack of proper maintance in keeping the engine cooling fins clean, any belly screens clean and clear of grass build up. I have seen rear engine ZTRs with plugged up cooling fins overheated and burnt up, and they had no side panels. Mike