Electric Radiator Fans

BobCorazza · Aug 17, 2004

Has anyone installed an electric fan on their machine? I am interested in picking up a little horsepower and am considering installing one to replace the stock fan.
Also, it has been discussed at TactorByNet elsewhere, but I am concerned about the hydraulic/trans fluid temperature in my L3410 HST. After a few hours of mowing the fluid gets up to 180 deg. The hydraulic fluid cooler is clearly not able to remove enough heat to keep up. Anyone consider a larger cooler, fan or another location? Suggestions?

ronjhall · Aug 17, 2004

<font color="blue"> After a few hours of mowing the fluid gets up to 180 degree </font>

Most CUT's will have a temperature about 100 degrees above the air temperature.

Here is a thread on transmission oil temperature. Click Here

I'm not sure you would gain much power by replacing the fan.

Bird · Aug 17, 2004

Like Ron said, if the ambient temperature is 80 degrees, then 180 for your hydraulic fluid is quite normal.

MMM · Aug 17, 2004

I've plumbed a 24" X 12" cooler with 12v fan(auto salv) into the Case's loader return line. I added a 23gpm loader front pump with 2 adjustable flow dividers (extra remotes) and heat from both systems was more than stock cooler could handle. Temps run about 150 @ 90 ambient.

RichNJKubota · Aug 18, 2004

Bob,
Electric fans are common on cars these days and I've replaced mechanical fans w/ electric on several older cars BUT
I'd be careful about doing the same on a tractor. You must look at the design of the cooling system. Do you think that any of the constant air flow from the fan cooled anything besides the radiator?
Can your stock alternator run a 10-15amp electric fan in addition to the other loads?
To get the benefit of an electric fan you must turn it off when the coolant temp has dropped. A tractor does not move very fast and therefore has very little forced air coming in from the front grill. So a properly sized electric fan would probably be on most of the time in warmer ambient temps anyway.
If you are concerned about trans oil temps and oil failure then use a synthetic trans/hydraulic oil. They can withstand higher temps with less problems than non-synthetic.
An add-on trans cooler available at any auto parts store for less than $50 would probably help alot. Just check pressures (I assume the cooler is on the low pressure side) and proper hose connections to avoid a failure down the road.
I also have found the oil temps high. After many hours of using the tractor I went to pull the rear remote hoses out of the couplers and wow - did I get a surprise. Those connectors were HOT.

Rich

jinman · Aug 18, 2004

I've done some reading of specs from hydraulic component manufacturers, and they generally want the fluid temperature to be below 180°F. Above that, the oil's life is shortened. I think that's a generic number for generic hydraulic oils. Some oils may be able to handle operating temperatures above 200°F, but even aircraft hydraulic systems have overtemperature alarms in the 190°F - 210°F range. Most of those use Skydrol as their hydraulic fluid.

One fellow on here recently had problems with his Dingo-style loaders having measured temperatures above 250°F. I suspect his hydraulic fluid had a very short life, and at those temperatures, you have to worry about deterioration of o-rings and other seals/gaskets. Even some plastic components would have a short life as you approach the high 200s.

slowrev · Aug 18, 2004

Bob,
I don't think you will gain any noticible HP. I am considering putting a reversible electric fan on my tractor. Have it blow forward in hot weather and pull back in cool weather. Whatcha think ?

kensfarm · Aug 18, 2004

They make replacement electric water pumps for cars.. suppose to give a few more hp.

I've thought about adding an electric fan in addition to the existing fan.. maybe installed on the hood's top vent to keep the air flowing. Probably not needed for the winter.. so a switch would be nice to turn it off.

Soundguy · Aug 18, 2004

One thing I've noticed is that as you move to 24v and 36v electrical systems on vehicles.. many conventional mechanical items are outsourced to electric. For instance.. that 12v fan that uses 10-12 amps.. uses half that on 24v.. and even less on 36v.

Soundguy