Is this a normal temperature while mowing?

casolorz · May 9, 2011

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

k0ua · May 9, 2011

I dont think so..I dont have a BX, but I am betting that the radiator is obstructed. Check it out closely for trash in the fins, or if it has a screen in front check that. That would be my first guess.

James K0UA

klrobert · May 9, 2011

I have a BX 2350 and that is not normal. Mine never runs that hot, even in 100+ temps. Check the radiator, the fins are probably clogged. I blow mine out regularly with the air compressor.

TripleR · May 10, 2011

Sure not normal for my BX2660.

RoyJackson · May 10, 2011

k0ua said:
I dont think so..I dont have a BX, but I am betting that the radiator is obstructed. Check it out closely for trash in the fins, or if it has a screen in front check that. That would be my first guess.

James K0UA

Do this...

I keep a 2" paint brush (bristles cut down to about 1/2" for stiffness) with me when brush cutting. And I clean the grills off periodically while doing that chore.

BTW, when the engine gets hot...do not shut it down! The block will act as a heat sink. Just disengage the PTO and let it idle at 1200-1500 RPM for a few minutes.

kevinj · May 10, 2011

That is where mine runs. The 60 series gauges seem to run on the high side, my older units run on the low side.

bellweather · May 10, 2011

My BX temp doesn't get that high, even when mowing on a hot day and engine at max rpm. I suggest you check radiator as others have said, also coolant level.

casolorz · May 10, 2011

I guess I am going to check my radiator tonight.

TripleR · May 10, 2011

Got this idea from another member and it works great on all our equipment.

Campbell Hausfeld 2 ft Extended Blow Gun - 3324160 | Tractor Supply Company

RoyJackson · May 10, 2011

TripleR said:
Got this idea from another member and it works great on all our equipment.

Campbell Hausfeld 2 ft Extended Blow Gun - 3324160 | Tractor Supply Company

Yeah, these are great for cleaning up the grilles, radiators, implements and other things...got one (Harbor Freight) and use it quite frequently.

But they don't do so good out in the field when you're overheating...unless you've got one seriously long airhose!

casolorz · May 10, 2011

TripleR said:
Got this idea from another member and it works great on all our equipment.

Campbell Hausfeld 2 ft Extended Blow Gun - 3324160 | Tractor Supply Company

Cool I'll have to check that out.

dodge man · May 10, 2011

BX's tend to run on the high side of the gauge when mowing on a hot day. Mine will get close to that high, but when mine gets that high, its time to clean out the radiator. Stuff gets caught in there, and it can be tough to get it all cleaned out.

Lockport · May 10, 2011

Probably your radiator screen is clogged. Under the hood between the 'firewall' and the rad just slide it up. I've seen mine that hot and it was when the dandelions turned to white fluff and when I finally pulled the screen out it was absolutely covered in them

casolorz · Aug 22, 2011

So I cleaned everything I was told to clean, it didn't help. I also had my 50 hour service and they claimed everything is perfect but of course they couldn't reproduce the problem. What am I missing? What RPM should I be mowing at? Could there be some other kind of problem?

wrooster · Aug 22, 2011

Same saga:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/216864-bx1860-overheats.html

As an informational note, my BX1860/54 MMM/FEL has never had the temperature gauge up in the "near red" area shown in the first post in this thread.

Wrooster

casolorz · Aug 22, 2011

wrooster said:
Same saga:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/216864-bx1860-overheats.html

As an informational note, my BX1860/54 MMM/FEL has never had the temperature gauge up in the "near red" area shown in the first post in this thread.

Wrooster

I'm going to look into removing the battery and see if that helps although I would hope the dealer looked into that, but I guess it's always possible they didn't do anything and just said they couldn't reproduce it.

casolorz · Aug 28, 2011

At what RPM do you guys usually mow? I have a 54'' mmm.

dodge man · Aug 29, 2011

I mow with the throttle wide open. I mowed Satruday, temps in the mid 80's, and my gauge got pretty high, just like your picture. I pulled the battery and blew out the radiator. There was a section of it that was clogged and you wouldn't see it without pulling the battery. It takes about 10 seconds to pull the battery so no big deal, you don't even have to disconnect the leads.

legbuh · Aug 29, 2011

That's about where mine sits on 80+ days mowing at 3k RPMs with my 48" MMM. I noticed it because just working with it (loader, blading, etc) it never gets above the middle. But mowing it does. No biggie.

casolorz · Aug 29, 2011

dodge man said:
I mow with the throttle wide open. I mowed Satruday, temps in the mid 80's, and my gauge got pretty high, just like your picture. I pulled the battery and blew out the radiator. There was a section of it that was clogged and you wouldn't see it without pulling the battery. It takes about 10 seconds to pull the battery so no big deal, you don't even have to disconnect the leads.

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.