Is this a normal temperature while mowing?

[dodge man]

I don't know why the heck Kubota hasn't fixed this issue after all these years. If it isn't over heating, which I think is probably the case, then they should calibarte the gauges so they read lower.

 

[kuboman]

You need to establish a base line for your particular temp gauge. After it has warmed up idle it at a fairly high idle 1500-2000 rpm for 10 minutes and then check the gauge. That will establish where the gauge will run as the thermostat starts to open. From there you can decide if it is running too hot.:thumbsup:

 

[YotaBota]

My BX25 thermostat runs at the same place when I am mowing on a hot day. I have a 54" MMM deck as well. As for cleaning it is pretty much a necessity before you put it away I find. There is a spot in the lower corner of the rad that you really can't get to without removing the battery, and the rad will "look" clean until you take the battery out. I've never over heated the unit, and great advice as previously mentioned was to just idle to cool down when you're really concerned. While you're waiting for it to cool down, that is a great time to take a beer break, and assess your progress to that point :thumbsup: Happy mowing!

 

[BXpanded]

I usually mow like at 2300 or 2500 or so which isn't full throttle. I have blown the radiator with my compressor, even taken the battery out although when I took it out I just looked because I didn't have my compressor with me but it looked so clean.

I think I'm going to have the dealer take a look at it again, as far as I know it has been getting that hot since I first bought it.

Owners Manual says mow at full throttle. Fan moves more air at higher RPM.

 

[casolorz]

Owners Manual says mow at full throttle. Fan moves more air at higher RPM.

Thank you for that info. I looked on the manual for the proper rpm and could never find it, guess I missed it somehow. I ready somewhere 2600 rpm, it just worried me going that high so I always kept it around 2300 or so. I will try higher from now on then.

 

[oldballs]

Just for another reference, mine runs about half way on the gauge at WOT when mowing 6-8 inch growth with standard blades. But when the temp get over 100 degrees, it'll run a little higher...almost where your needle is. BX2660 model year 2009. I do use compressed air to clean the screens, but never have taken the battery out for that purpose.

 

[OrangeRidge]

These are engine rpm vs pto speeds from page 3 of your manual !
As you can see , 3040ish is the MMM engine speed for 15000fpm
blade tip . Never rev a diesel flat-out. The torque curve doesn't
require that abuse , and the MMM is sufficient at recommended.

 

[BXpanded]

From the following manual...

Operator's Manual
Kubota Rotary Mower
Models RCK60B-23BX
RCK54P-23BX
RCK54-23BX
RCK48P-18BX
RCK48-18BX

Page 18

"Operation"
"1. Keep the engine running at full throttle for best results. Control ground speed by using the control pedal of the tractor."

 

[jonyyuma]

I don't like full-throttle, so my Pto speed for tilling I use 2300 rpm, I don't have a mower. It will go past 2600, but why strain it?

 

[BXpanded]

The above is from the BX mower manual. It doesn't reference anything but mowing, which was the OPs original discussion.

 

[SandburRanch]

While mowing (gator mulching blades) on my bx1860 (loader attached), is this a normal temperature? It was a hot day, maybe 80s.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
This original post was on 5-9-11 with the ambient temperature - "maybe 80s" - as the post reads.

Today's temperature is forecast is to be 106°F at Wichita so that would be a good time for some testing. If you can duplicate the work load fairly close and the temperature gauge reads the same the odds are that the gauge needs calibrating.

If the coolant temperature increases significantly, on a thermostat controlled cooling system, as the ambient temperature increases it's an indication the cooling system is dirty or came from the factory on the light capacity side.

 

[moeh1]

You might want to check for proper fan belt tension also. I had mine loosen up enough once that it was OK for running around, but was slipping enough under heavy load that I was approaching an overheat condition.

 

[newdeal]

I ha e a bx2360 and yes it gets that hot. When ihave the 60" mower on with throttle at about 2900rpm it gets that hot mowing. It will get almost in the red when using a 4 foot bush hog in dense grass. I clean the rad screen all the time but it always runs hot

 

[casolorz]

I did one final test before I call the dealer to tell them it is still having heat issues. I had to take the mower out because I wanted to use my box blade and also I wanted to look at the mower blades. Also I cleaned the radiator with the compressor, and made sure the tires high the right amount of air.

I used my 4 feet box blade for a little bit, about 20 minutes into using it at about 2200 rpm on the slow gear 4x4, the temperature was fairly high (see attachment). The temperature got a bit higher later. I wasn't using the rippers, just the blade to level loose soil. Has anyone seen temps that high with a box blade?

 

[kuboman]

Unless you have checked your engine temp with a infrared thermometer how do you know what the actual temp is? To go by the gauge without checking it's accuracy you are just uniformed:confused2:

 

[casolorz]

Unless you have checked your engine temp with a infrared thermometer how do you know what the actual temp is? To go by the gauge without checking it's accuracy you are just uniformed:confused2:

Well that is part of my problem, I need to find a way to get my dealer to admit there is a problem. When they've looked at the tractor they have just said they can't reproduce the issue. I am fairly new to owning a tractor so I keep thinking maybe I'm doing something wrong.

 

[dodge man]

Your temp gage when mowing looked almost identical to mine. I don't have a box blade so I can't compare, but that looks high to me for using a box blade, but I don't know how hard that works the tractor.

I can tell by my temp gage, and my fuel usage, that mowing with my BX works the engine the hardest. I can't compare that to using a box blade since I don't have one, but using a end loader, rear blade, my temp gage stays in the middle, that stuff just doesn't work it very hard. I'd get one of those point and shoot thermometers if I was you. I think you can pick one up for less than $100. To be honest, I think that is the only thing that will give you peace of mind.

 

[casolorz]

Your temp gage when mowing looked almost identical to mine. I don't have a box blade so I can't compare, but that looks high to me for using a box blade, but I don't know how hard that works the tractor.

I can tell by my temp gage, and my fuel usage, that mowing with my BX works the engine the hardest. I can't compare that to using a box blade since I don't have one, but using a end loader, rear blade, my temp gage stays in the middle, that stuff just doesn't work it very hard. I'd get one of those point and shoot thermometers if I was you. I think you can pick one up for less than $100. To be honest, I think that is the only thing that will give you peace of mind.

I bought a laser thermometer yesterday, waiting for it to arrive. Does anyone know the temperature ranges I should be seeing?

 

[wrooster]

I bought a laser thermometer yesterday, waiting for it to arrive. Does anyone know the temperature ranges I should be seeing?

Where on the engine will you be measuring?
What is the distance you will be measuring from?
How large is the IR measurement aperture on the thermometer at that distance?

I ask because you can get very varied results depending on the above.

Wrooster

 

[casolorz]

Where on the engine will you be measuring?
What is the distance you will be measuring from?
How large is the IR measurement aperture on the thermometer at that distance?

I ask because you can get very varied results depending on the above.

Wrooster

I have no idea. I don't know all the technical details of the thermometer yet, but where on the engine should I be measuring?