GT 2550

[WhoDeyTJ]

Hello all! First post here.

I just purchased a GT 2550. I love this mower but I am a bit concerned. This thing runs extremely HOT! Is this normal? If I stop to get off and move something in the yard, the next day I have a brown spot.

I had a Craftsman 42". Ran really bumpy. The GT 2550 runs very smooth. I love the jet wash system. My dealer told me to always spray this after each cut or eventually it will clog.

The dealer explained to me that this machine typically runs at 300 degrees F. Man that is Super Hot. It's no wonder everyone complains about hood melts.

Before I came here to investigate the heat, I checked my oil and it appeared to be a quart low. So I added a 1/2 quart and it seemed to do the trick. Plus the owners manual explained that the oil should be checked every hour up until 5 or 10 hours and before each use. Anyway... After the mower sat over night, it now reflects an overfill of about 1/2" to 3/4". Now i am going to drain the oil back ot which seems to be a huge source of frustration for many here.

Overall I really love this mower and I now look forward to cutting my grass again. Will see how long this last. Oh yeah. My yard is about 1.3 acres.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
TJ

 

[CCinCT]

I would check to make sure you have the extended heat shield installed. It was a retrofit for the '06 models, and came standard as a single lengthened piece on the '07's and '08's. It's possible you have a leftover '06, though I would think your dealer would have told you so.

Also, remove the center vent cover on the top of the hood.

Also also, check your hood piston mounting points for failure.

And most important, enjoy the tractor!

 

[WhoDeyTJ]

The manual reflects a manufacturing date of 1/2007. The following are images so that you can view the heat shield and hood pistons for yourself. You will notice that I also removed the center vent cover.

Thank you for replying.

 

[Fordlords]

Yes, they are hot runners- we had quite a few threads on this subject with the 2000 models last year. But, to be honest no one has come out and said they have had problems with the engines due to the heat. Because the engine heat is ducted down, just don't idle over the grass- kind of stupid IMHO, but because the hoods are plastic and not metal like they used to be, they have to do it to keep the hood from melting. But on some last year, parts of the hood still melted. It's still a really nice machine for the buck, so enjoy!

-Fordlords-

 

[JSharp]

WhoDeyTJ, that's certainly the latest heatshield. Good luck with the hood. We've yet to see ( I think! ) any melted hoods with the new heatshield or the lengthened old one. But they do run very hot. Too hot IMO.

I'm still trying to decide if I want to try header tape on the muffler or some high temperature insulation over the heat shield...

 

[Fordlords]

I swear whoever engineered that didn't even learn in school that heat travels upward. Not only does it cook your grass, it keeps the PTO clutch nice and warm on those hot summer days so it burns out faster than normal too. Perhaps with the high cost of plastic now with oil prices going sky high, they will go back to metal hoods and duct the heat out the right way again in the near future LOL

-Fordlords-

 

[BigBlue]

The GT2550 is at the top of my list. I want a tractor that mows well, but still has enough size to deal with snow blowing. I like the idea of a shaft drive and the heavier duty rebuildable transmission. I'll probably be buying in the next two weeks, but that excessive heat has me concerned and looking at the J.D. 320 instead. I'm sure that much heat can't be good for the engine, so why are they running so hot?
Don

 

[moe1942]

Not much different setup than the Quiet Line series of CC's. Don't for get that air is drawn in from the drivers side and forced across the engine and down through the heat shield. I think heat would destroy the PTO belt long before the PTO clutch is affected. The clutch is all metal.

I have a GT2542 and don't see a problem.

 

[WhoDeyTJ]

Well... I mowed the lawn today after removing the center vent cover, draining the extra oil, which BTW was not that big of a deal when using the plastic tube provided by CC, and applying the Mow Deck Spray that was recommended in some of the other threads. I made sure the air filter was free and clear of any debree, and I was contantly checking the air vent that is directly in front of your feet at the back side of the engine.

Today was 65 - 70 and nice and breezy here in Northern KY...

The 2550 ran nice and cool. I am sure that the 65 - 70 degree temp outside helped as well. But man. This thing ran nice. And I could open the hood and check the oil. It was warm, but not super hot like before. I belive my problems were solved by removing the center cover on the hood, and constantly checking the air vent at the back of the engine for clogged grass and such. Thanks CCinCT for the advise! It worked great!

The Mow Deck Spray worked incredibly well. I used the jet wash and also sprayed water under the deck. The grass washed away like it was mud. It washed away so amazingly easy that I think I am going to invest in this comapny! LOL!!!

Fordlords I was idle in the grass because I never knew a mower could run so hot is would damage the grass. Remember, I was use to a Craftsman. LOL!

JSharp Thanks for letting me know that this mower has the latest heat shield.

I love this mower and now feel very confident that I made the right choice. I just wish CC would have printed off a sheet of recommendations for super hot engine temps.

I am going to post a thread later for the GT 2550 in regards of heat and what I did to releave the hot temps. Images too.

Might I add. Compared to the Craftsman, the deck on this thing came off an on sooooo amazingly easy. With the Craftsman, I had like 6000 pins and washers to remove and risk loosing while changing blades and cleaning the deck. On this mower, it was all heavy duty rods that remained on the mower! That is sweet!

Thanks guys!!!
TJ