Mowing Mahindra tractor over heating, Please Help

sammie · Oct 7, 2018

I have a 2014 Mahindra 6110 with 800 hours on it, that has been over heating every time I cut my grass with my 12 ft. Rhino bush hog. This problem started in the first of July this year when the plastic fan and belt broke for no reason. Right after my dealer replaced the fan and belt I started getting a Squealing sound coming from my AC compressor because the compressor was locking up. If I turned the AC on and off 3 or 4 times the Squealing sound stopped and the AC would work, BUT my tractor would over heat within 30 minutes of grass cutting with the AC on. I always ran my Tractor in Medium and the gear in number 1. I have run my tractor for the past 4 years like this with out it ever over heating. My Dealer told me to run my tractor in Low and number 1 gear till they figure out what is going on with my tractor and its over heating problem. I did as my dealer suggested and ran my tractor in Low and 1, and now it took 40 minutes this time for my tractor over heat again. I found if I run my tractor in neutral at 1700 rpm and with the pto shut off and the ac shut off that I can get the Temperature down from hot to 1/2 in 4 or 5 minutes and I can continue to cut my grass for another 10 minutes before the tractor over heats again. Now out of Frustration I tried something new. I got my tractor temperature back down to 1/2 now, and when I turned the ac on the temp immediately when to 3/4 before I shut the ac off, I did this 4 times and each time it did the same thing, it immediately when from the 1/2 to 3/4 before I would shut the ac off, because if I didn稚 shut the AC off, it go up into the hot. This all happened while my tractor was sitting in neutral. So I thought ok lets try running the tractor with the ac off. I put the tractor back in medium and number 1 in the gears, and I had to open all the windows like I have had to do many times before, but with the ac off I was able to completely cut all 6 acres of grass around my house with the temperature now just below 1/2 and no over heating. I am Sorry for the long post, but I believe my AC compressor is BAD AGAIN? If this AC compressor is bad and this is what is causing my over heating problem, This will make the THIRD AC COMPRESSOR in 4 years that had to be replaced. If any of you think my AC compressor is bad, My Question to you Is this NORMAL for Mahindra tractors to burn up the AC compressors? A new AC compressor is around $700.00 to 800.00 for the compressor alone, not counting labor to put it on. Please Help me, Is this NORMAL for Mahindra tractors to burn up the AC compressors in such a short time? I Thank you all for any help.

searcyfarms · Oct 7, 2018

first of all great troubleshooting - process off elimination and yes it is pretty clear your AC compressor is possibly bad again. Question, is your compressor adjustable that takes up the belt slack or is it an idler pulley that you adjust.

Belts too tight can cause compressors/bearings/idlers/ to fail prematurely - I am not familiar with your tractor setup so I do not have any idea if this is common among them but I would also google your model and AC compressor issues.

You could also call another dealer or their home office and get a better perspective on that particular model and potential issues or something they have noticed that your local dealer may not know about.

Just some thoughts.......

CincyFlyer · Oct 7, 2018

When a given part fails repeatedly, it's more than likely that it is merely a symptom of the actual problem.

gimmodog · Oct 7, 2018

the A/C condenser sits in front of the radiator therefore it will heat up the air a little before it gets to the radiator. It is common for them both to collect alot of debris. Give them both a good cleaning and try again.

sd455dan · Oct 7, 2018

gimmodog said:
the A/C condenser sits in front of the radiator therefore it will heat up the air a little before it gets to the radiator. It is common for them both to collect alot of debris. Give them both a good cleaning and try again.

That would be my guess to, pulling a whole lot of heat out of the cabin and dumping it right in front of the radiator as you posted
Wonder if there is a bunch of chaff trapped between the condenser and engine rad?

ps

(when I turned the ac on the temp immediately when to 3/4 before I shut the ac off, I did this 4 times and each time it did the same thing, it immediately when from the 1/2 to 3/4 before I would shut the ac off, because if I didnç¨š shut the AC off, it go up into the hot)

If you are saying the temp on the gauge rises Immediately after turning on the AC
where there is a voltage shift caused at the gauge for some reason
but if this was the case you should be able to cause a temp change on the gauge by starting up the tractor cold and then turning A/C on and Off which would also cause the temp gauge to change by activating the A/C

aczlan · Oct 7, 2018

gimmodog said:
the A/C condenser sits in front of the radiator therefore it will heat up the air a little before it gets to the radiator. It is common for them both to collect alot of debris. Give them both a good cleaning and try again.

Excellent suggestion. We had a similar overheating issue with one of our Kubota's and cleaning out the radiator fixed the overheating issue. It was amazing how much crud came out up there, you couldn't see through it before but you could afterwards.

Aaron Z

searcyfarms · Oct 7, 2018

A/C condenser clogged is a possibility there is a limited amount of air going through the system regardless on/off in neutral sitting still - the AC condenser might be causing more drag than normal on the engine - radiator restriction/thermostat function reduced - ac condenser restriction - grill/airflow restriction - fan blade not rotating properly/loose belt ( worn belt from squealing/glazing it ) - a 12' mower and 48HP is a stretch and would be loading the tractor a lot - says you are mowing grass around the house - not sure how tall that is or what part of the country you are in but I can understand why 1st gear would be required - in the fall there is fall more clippings/dry stuff to clog a radiator so I would check all of those things first - sitting still getting warmer is common when not moving air especially if outside temps are high - not sure what type of temps you are operation in either -

LindenBruce · Oct 7, 2018

Okay, if you have had a compressor fail, was the receiver/dryer changed at the same time? Or does your system use an orifice tube? In any case, they should have been changed at the same time as the compressor. Those devices are also filters for debris in the system. If they were NOT changed, then your system was re-contaminated with the debris from your failed compressor.

Also, an overcharged system can cause a compressor to lock up, which will cause your belt to slip. A slipping belt gets burnt and glazed. And a burnt/glazed belt will slip and slip and slip. And that will effect the water pump and the engine cooling system.

Have you thought about installing a reversing fan to help keep the radiator and condenser clean of grass and debris? Bruce

sammie · Oct 8, 2018

searcyfarms Thank you for your reply. I believe my dealer has checked all that you have said, but I am going to copy your reply and save it just encase it has not been checked. Thank you again for your help. This is a great forum with great members. I Thank all of you for your help. Sammie

sammie · Oct 8, 2018

Thank you CincyFlyer

sammie · Oct 8, 2018

gimmodog Thank you for your reply

sammie · Oct 8, 2018

sd455dan Thank you for your reply. When I first start my tractor cold, everything is fine with the temp gauge even with turning on my AC. This over heating problem takes about 1/2 hour of cutting my grass which is only about 6 inches tall considering I cut my grass every week. once my tractor over heats my cutting is done for the day. This is a new problem I have had since the first week in July when my fan blade broke cutting the belt also. My dealer changed the fan and belt and from that point my AC would start Squealing and I would have to turn the AC on and off 3 or 4 times before the Squealing would stop. My dealer has checked the belt tension 2 times and said that is good.

sammie · Oct 8, 2018

aczlan Thank you for your reply. We always clean the radiator and screens often.

sammie · Oct 8, 2018

searcyfarms Thank you again sir for all your help. Right now this is the second A/C condenser that I am on in 4 years and this condenser is less that 1 year old. I personally believe this AC condenser is dragging after I get it from squealing by turning the ac on and off 3 or 4 times. You might have a point on the thermostat being part of the problem. I told my dealer along with the ac condenser might being bad that I also thought my thermostat might not be 100%. grill/airflow restriction I don't think is a issue because my tractor is cleaned along with the radiator and screens every time I use the tractor. searcyfarms my tractor has 60 HP. and has not had this over heating problem in the past 4 years till the fan broke in July of this year. I am in Mississippi and the grass I cut in front of my home is about 6 inches tall. In the past I been able to cut my deer food plots that are 3 ft tall and never had a over heating problem even in my medium and number 1 gear that I have used for the past 4 years.

searcyfarms · Oct 8, 2018

hey sammie - ok so usually a thermostat is easily accessible, not sure on your unit BUT - no more expensive than they are and the cost of a seal and antifreeze they are a easy/inexpensive repair and again I say usually........some can be a booger to get to - if I suspect heating/cooling issues I usually change them by default and I boil the replacement in the kitchen with my wifes cooking thermometer before installing and also boil the old one and usually u can see why you are having issues if that is the problem - if not its been eliminated of suspicion. IF the AC is loading the motor you should be able to tell to some degree by reduction of engine rpm especially when idling - its also possible that the compressor is causing more friction at higher RPMs. You tractor is 60hp max but only 48 on pto to the mower so that is where I came up with that number - big difference but if you have not experienced problems in the past I would say you should be good.

Someone already mentioned the possibility of contamination of the system from the first failure due to filings still being in the A/C system causing the second AC compressor to fail. Its not entirely impossible to have that happen OR to just get a bad AC compressor - it does happen......usually they fail quicker if they are a marginal one and it sounds like your climate warrants regular use.

When running does the AC seem to be cool like always or take longer to get cool - any variances there?

Whatever increased load/reduced air/water that has changed in the tractor is small enough that it takes time to get things heated up - as temps cool I bet you find it will take longer to heat up as well.

It could be a SMALL reduction in Fan Blade rotation that is causing less air to be pulled because of a slipping belt, due to glazing ( already mentioned ) or the ac load causing the belt to heat up/stretch and slip causing the fan to pull less air - again its a small issue that is taking time to show its face - makes logical sense at idle because its slipping enough to cause reduction in airflow due to less rotation and at higher speeds there is more momentum that will keep it spinning faster however it also makes sense that at reduced rotation speed the water pump is going slower/slipping/moving less water AND a poorly functioning thermostat that is limiting water flow could also be contributing.

does the engine water pump get turned by this same belt?

sammie · Oct 8, 2018

searcyfarms Thank you so very much sir for all your help. My dealer talked about changing the thermostat this week. I will post if that has solved my problem. Now searcyfarms like I said in my first post, I put the tractor back in medium and number 1 in the gears, and I had to open all the windows like I have had to do many times before, but with the ac off I was able to completely cut all 6 acres of grass around my house with the temperature now just below 1/2 and no over heating. As for the 48 HP-PTO my dealer sold me the 12 ft. bush hog and it has worked great for the past 4 years without any problems in over heating or anything else. You asked about contamination of the system, My dealer takes care of my tractor for me, because I have Polio and its everything I can do just to pull myself up into my tractor with the help of a 2 step ladder. The AC does cool good right from the start.

Whatever increased load/reduced air/water that has changed in the tractor is small enough that it takes time to get things heated up - as temps cool I bet you find it will take longer to heat up as well.

Answer, once my tractor gets hot, even after I get the temp down to 1/2, it will heat right up quickly if the ac is turned back on while cutting my grass.

searcyfarms I am not sure about the water pump. I did ask my dealer about that. As far as the belt, in July my tractor got a new belt when the fan was replaced, and that is when all this over heating problem started. Again I thank you searcyfarms for all your patience with me and for all your help.

searcyfarms · Oct 8, 2018

ok so I found a video of a 6110, it was a 2013/cab so presuming they are the same as yours? there are two belts - which could or could not contribute to the issues, lets say they both run against the fan blade and water pump or one/other, the AC compressor could be loading the belt with drag thus causing slippage of either or both - since you are not able to do a lot of troubleshooting I am glad you have a great shop that is trying to help you - sounds like they are trying to eliminate things - I do see the water pump indeed runs off the belt and also runs the fan - I saw on a non A/C 6110 the single belt runs around the crank pulley/water pump/alternator/fan which is direct drive off the water pump - so if one is slowing down they all are - thus creating your issues - if that belt has EVER squealed to any extent, the belt is like glazed/stretched/worn so I would call it suspect especially since things are only showing up after a bit of time and things start loosening up and getting hot etc.......I can tell the alternator bracket takes up tension in the one belt but cant tell how the AC belt functions for tension.

if everything is clean which I suspect it is since the guys at the shop have been all over it more than once - I would be heading as you are down the road of thermostat function, ac compressor defective causing issues due to drag then heat then slippage - or any of the combination to the fan/water pump performance due to that slippage - hopefully they get you fixed up in short order at least its cooling off some here so maybe for you too soon!!!!