I Won't Operate My Equipment in Wet Weather

[LHF2019]

I mean, this picture was only about 30 min worth of brush cutting to get to that point. In this case, it wasn't getting hot. I just knew with the stuff I was mowing, it was prone to happen very fast. It was just a matter of cleaning the screen too and it was good to go again.

A lot of people don't even realize that depending on what they're cutting, they may need to cleaning those radiators multiple times during the job. Then, they found the expensive way that they really should pay more attention to cleaning the radiator. I've seen others blame the manufacturers for using small radiators or some nonsense like that.

This is all part of owning and operating a tractor.

View attachment 3307493

Looks like my New Holland when I round bale. It is the only tractor that I have that issue on. The old JD I can bale all summer with no over heating but the NH get halfway through the day and the needle will touch red. Stop, pull the AC condenser, and wipe off the accumulation of dirt/dust and go back to work. On a big baling day have to do it twice.

 

[Hay Dude]

Last fall I discovered a patch of Goldenrod about 8' tall (¼A) I used the FEL to knock it down as I mowed with my 6' Bush Hog. I still had to stop midway and clean off the radiator screen in front of the radiator because it was completely covered. The high temp gauge and light never showed hot though.

That happens with mine, too. Depends on the size of the radiator and cooling system. The hood is the 1st line of defense, the screen is the 2nd. The screen can be covered and still maintain acceptable temps. It’s when the radiator itself is clogged that you must spot. 15 years ago when I started in hay on my own, I found my M-series Kubotas were over heated when the screen was covered. You had little time to react. The bigger tractors I run now seem to be more forgiving.

Hopefully that killed the Goldenrod, but I'm watching closely. If I spot any growth I'll be there with my 35G sprayer full of 2-4-D solution ASAP.

I would doubt it. If you cut and it was shedding seeds, that means you spread them.

I suspect the man that harvests the hay carried in the starts.

No matter how careful you are, that can happen. I blow off my hay mower & tractor between each field.

I might be better off terminating that arrangement and mowing 3-4X year instead; whatta you guys think?

Gonna cost you more money and more of your time if you are the one doing the rotary mowing.

When I clean the radiator I use Simple Green Extreme, made for the aviation industry, which is aluminum-safe and cuts grease N oil. A standard garden hose is fine for initial flushing and rinsing after using the Simple Green Extreme.

That’s a good formula. I use the “Purple Power” stuff if I have a little oil from a leaky cooling line going in/out of the radiator.

 

[rockinbbar]

Some here mentioned an electric leaf blower...

I do use one in limited capacity. It can help clear blockage on the screen, and even the dust/chaff in the radiator.

But the main reason I don't depend on one heavily is that I want to blow the debris out the way it came in... Directional blowing is way more effective for my use. If the debris came in from the front, I use that high pressure wand from the back. I can't get a leaf blower nozzle in the back, in most cases.

You'd be surprised just how much more crud you can clear by blowing the opposite direction of the air flow.

My leaf blower is decently effective when using it on my CTL though because when I open the rear door to the engine compartment, the radiators are in easy position to blow everything out because of the fan flow direction.

 

[MossRoad]

As I recall, on our IH2500b, the hydrostatic cooler was in front of the radiator, and took the brunt of the clogging. It was on a hinge, so you could just open it up and shoot a blower through the back of it if you wanted to. I just used the brush I mentioned on the front of the cooler, then swung it out of the way and brushed off what little was on the radiator.

 

[MH8675309]

If I can help it, that is. Of course I get caught by a shower now and then, but really try to avoid that.

With what I do, dusty conditions, as well as fine vegetation particles get into the radiators, and I've had a mess to clean out, before.

I've other people's radiators nearly completely clogged~ solid on the intake side.

Also seen a lot of people who don't know how to maintain/clean a radiator. Caught my brother with the water hose on his Kubota tractor radiator after he said it was getting hot. Told him the radiator needed cleaning, and went around back, and there he was... just hosing down the radiator. Umm... No! I had to soak his radiator and use pressure to clear it. It was packed with mud.

I think he knows how now. I got him a correct high pressure air wand, and showed him how to use it.

Summer's coming. I watch that temp gauge closely.

You guys have any issues with your radiators clogging and the tractor getting hot?

I blow mine out at least once a year. Its crazy how much dust and chaff can get lodged in the fins. I could definitely see how this could cause the machine to run hot

 

[masscity]

My L3540HSTC has two screens, easy to clean. I installed plastic screen on my Kubota B7100DT and my Ferguson TO-35. I brush hog with the T0-35 and after 45 min the screen is covered with junk and the temp is rising, I clean it with my shop vac.

I bought a DeWalt leaf blower and if it works to clean the radiator screen I might take it with me when I cut.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

My tractor hasn't seen rain/snow since I bought it new. Actually, none of my equipment or implements have. I blow dust out often, but that's about it. Regular oil and filter changes, per the maintenance schedule.

 

[MossRoad]

I use mine in the rain and snow as needed. Storm cleanup and winter comes to mind. I don't mow in the rain. Or brush cut either. Makes too much of a mess.

 

[EddieWalker]

I've been out in the rain on my cab tractor while moving dirt. If it's not a heavy storm, or if it's just a passing storm cell, I'll just turn on the wipers and keep working.

 

[big bubba]

yes, to me, a leaf blower is the tool to use for radiator debris. always had radiator debris problem prob esp in blooming sedge with my previous smaller tractors.
fortunately, my M Utility model poses no risk at all in those conditions, due to increased height & efficient radiator screen, never a over heating problem.
compacts are very prone unfortunately