Kubota overheating

[WyomingBorn]

More importantly what are you cutting?

Grass, but it's long this time of year. The tractor has always done this though.

 

[RickB]

Running in 3rd and it's a 5' shredder.

Not an inappropriate size cutter. I literally can't count how many we've sold behind L2501's. Focus back on the radiator.

 

[nybirdman]

Not an inappropriate size cutter. I literally can't count how many we've sold behind L2501's. Focus back on the radiator.

We have that exact tractor L3000DT and run a 5' Bush-Hog branded cutter with no problem;so we are back to a radiator/water-pump problem.

 

[TimberHole]

A very high percentage of folks that think their radiator cores are clean are mistaken.

When I overhauled my JD950 I had the radiator boiled at the radiator shop. Still wanted to get hot when the air temp was 90 plus degrees. I bought a new radiator and my problem went away. Even “properly” cleaned o wonder if these older radiators transfer the heat like they did when new.

 

[mobilus]

One thing that I didn't see mentioned: make sure to soak the radiator fins with a cleaner from a spray bottle ( Simple Green or Purple Power, etc) and give it time to work before washing it out with a stream of water. I saw a lot more dirt release after doing so.

 

[Sportsman762]

I would combine Hay Dudes advise.

No just flush it with a garden hose with pointed stream of water.
Get ready to be surprised at what comes out
Chocolate milk comes to mind.

Stay on it until water runs 100% clean. takes a while

And Mobilus

One thing that I didn't see mentioned: make sure to soak the radiator fins with a cleaner from a spray bottle ( Simple Green or Purple Power, etc) and give it time to work before washing it out with a stream of water. I saw a lot more dirt release after doing so.

Spray radiator with water, then put some detergent on it. let it sit for a few minutes and then give it a steady stream of water like Hay Dude says. Then repeat a few times. The dirt has been cooked on, detergent and soaking is needed to clean it up.

 

[repete]

At one time my L2550DT had a screen behind the radiator core. Being a "pusher" fan, it caught debris on the engine side of the radiator.
I removed the screen due to the fact that I had to remove the loader to get the screen out to clean it. I regularly flush the core with a garden hose from the front.
I can run a 5' bush hog and it warms up higher than normal but not excessively. The 2550 has 6100 hours on it and it seems to do ok with likely an engine with a few challenges.

 

[Smokeydog]

Radiator Genie - Water & Air Cleaning Wands for High Efficiency Cooling Systems and Radiators - Blow Out / Wash Out Kit Amazon.com: Radiator Genie - Water & Air Cleaning Wands for High Efficiency Cooling Systems and Radiators - Blow Out / Wash Out Kit : Automotive

Have to use radiator genie tools regularly to keep our radiators and oil coolers clean.

 

[Hay Dude]

Radiator Genie - Water & Air Cleaning Wands for High Efficiency Cooling Systems and Radiators - Blow Out / Wash Out Kit Amazon.com: Radiator Genie - Water & Air Cleaning Wands for High Efficiency Cooling Systems and Radiators - Blow Out / Wash Out Kit : Automotive

Have to use radiator genie tools regularly to keep our radiators and oil coolers clean.

Has this product worked well for you?
im considering buying, but I don’t know if it’s a gimmick or legit?

 

[K5lwq]

Has this product worked well for you?
im considering buying, but I don’t know if it’s a gimmick or legit?

It works well. I like mine. Atwood's here carries them in the store but you can order online.

 

[Smokeydog]

Works great. Works cleaning air filters too. Also use for blowing off the dust and debris on the tractors and equipment. Even use it to sweep dirt out the shop floor. Use the water wand to flush external fins. Wash equipment. Lasted several years now. First saw and cheaper at the local Kubota dealer many years ago.

 

[SKELLER02]

Check the cap too.

 

[Sidney71]

While removing the radiator and flushing it out may be the answer I would install a new thermostat and change out the suction hose on the tractor. The hose may be collapsing a little and you may not be getting the flow rate needed to cool - the new thermostat because the engine was designed to run with one .

 

[Railroadman1]

If your radiator is really clean a can see through it like a screen,,, also have the correct coolant mix & check the cap

 

[kpsp50]

Sounds to me that you're radiator is clogged take the radiator out take it to a radiator shop let them flush it out core it and get it back should only cost you around $100 or so once you get it back fill it up with antifreeze and distilled water do not use tap water tap water has calcium and other particles in it that will clog it up again good luck

 

[lpakiz]

I worked in a truck shop way back when. Put a trouble light in behind the radiator, by the fan blades. Best done indoors or on a cloudy day so the ambient light isn’t too bright.
Then go to the front and look thru the radiator. If it’s clean, you’ll see lots of light thru the fins.
In second place is a loose belt. Grab a fan blade and try to rotate it, both directions. If you can turn the fan without turning the motor, the belt isn’t gripping.
Also, if the fan belt IS gripping, you will hear a distinct roar or buzz when at WOT. Just feeling “some” air blowing thru the radiator isn’t good enough.

 

[tbergman]

I had the same problem on my Branson 4720H. I had rinsed with a water hose, but still overheating, so I complained to my dealer that the radiator seemed undersized...he was shocked and suggested strongly that I do a more thorough cleaning. I found a wand at Atwoods that fits the end of a water hose and lets you reach in behind the oil cooling radiator and blast the water at 90 degrees right into the fins of the radiator. That did the trick. It is the perfect tool for cleaning my radiators.

 

[Robert walker]

Radiator Genie - Water & Air Cleaning Wands for High Efficiency Cooling Systems and Radiators - Blow Out / Wash Out Kit Amazon.com: Radiator Genie - Water & Air Cleaning Wands for High Efficiency Cooling Systems and Radiators - Blow Out / Wash Out Kit : Automotive

Have to use radiator genie tools regularly to keep our radiators and oil coolers clean.

I looked at this and may order one. I always spray from the engine side of the mine, L3400DT but it’s hard to get to around the fan. I think if you spray from front you just push the dirt further into the radiator.

 

[lpakiz]

Robert,
Nope, ideally you must spray until the dirt is pushed completely THRU the radiator, one direction or the other. Ya gotta be able to see the trouble light all the way thru the rows of tubes in the radiator. Not a 5 minute job.
Best to remove any screens, oil coolers, AC condenser, etc and get directly to the radiator. Some equipment is set up that you can de mount the oil cooler or condenser and swing it to the side without unhooking hoses.
Maybe in some cases, it’s more efficient to pull the radiator, lean it against the picnic table bench or a tree and spray it out. Careful if you use a pressure washer, stay back several inches and keep the spray angle exactly 90* to the fins so you dont bend them.
You will be amazed how long that water keeps coming out green or brown until it finally runs clear.

 

[NUTTERDW]

My Kubota L3000dt is overheating when I run my shredder via the PTO. I have checked the coolant, cleaned the radiator/grille and pulled the thermostat and still overheating very quickly. Any ideas on next steps would be appreciated.

I'm not familiar with your model Kubota but I have a 1993 B1550HST That I have had the same problem with. I took it to my dealer and he determined that it only overheated when I ran the PTO. It seems my PTO has a hydrostatic drive and it is bad. when it gets hot it is bypassing the fluid. I tried adding another transmission cooler but that did not help. 4000$ just for the replacement unit so I'm living with it the way it is. That did not include the labor to install it. Mine will run about an hour until it gets hot enough and the engine looses power. Never blows any water out of the radiator. I tried everything you tried before i took it to the dealer. I moved it to my farm where I can usually finish mowing in an hour. I can use a water hose to cool the radiator and continue mowing.