L4150 blows hot air in face

bobw88 · Sep 15, 2009

I recently purchased a 1986 Kubota L4150DT tractor. I am using the tractor to twitch logs out of my woodlot for firewood. Its running well except that the engine compartment blows hot air directly in the face of the driver. I reversed the slotted vents in the cover of the engine compartment and that helped only a little bit... still strongly blows hot air.

A friend of mine suggested installing a reverse fan that would blow air the opposite direction. Does anyone have experience with this problem and know about possible solutions like a reverse fan?

Thanks very much,
Bob

rbargeron · Sep 15, 2009

Is there missing sheet metal at the back of the engine compartment ? Can you post a pic looking from the front with the hood open? I've had 3 of this type machine (L3) - the only hot air is when the cab tractor's heater is on in winter. Normally the warm air from the radiator flows down and out at the sides of the engine. There's a piece they call the shutter plate (see pdf) in front of the instrument panel. Might blow warm if that was missing.....

bobw88 · Sep 16, 2009

I have attached some pictures I took of the engine compartment.

Thanks for your help,
Bob

atgreene · Sep 16, 2009

I have a 4150 as well. I don't see anything missing in your pics and I don't believe mine blows on my face, there is a little warmth from the engine, but not like the fan blowing on me. I bushhog and log with it alot, in the winter I wish it would blow on me.

I know of 3 other 4150's within a 5 mile radius of me. Ask around, there are probably others near you that you could go look at to compare and see what the issue may be.

Other than being a loud tractor, mine is good. I just always carry headphones, otherwise a 4-6 hour day of bushhoggin will numb your ears pretty good.

Good luck.

rbargeron · Sep 16, 2009

Ok, the shutter plate is there - so that theory is no good. So it's back to basics - where does your temp gage run? Should be down near the gap on the scale - about 1/3 range. If it's higher maybe your thermostat is opening late or not enough. You could try taking out the thermostat to see what difference it makes. It won't hurt anything running a while that way. Does the transmission get hot to the touch? It should get warm but not hot - unless it's 90 degrees and you are working the machine hard. Possibly a partially plugged radiator? Maybe a loose fan belt? These machines are not known for running hot.