Perkins 248 ci

[GT71]

Hi everyone. I recently purchased a Massey 283 w the Perkins 248 ci. The tractor showed 1198 hours when i bought it. I changed the motor oil, fuel filter and the hydraulic trans oil before i did anything but back it into the barn. The coolant is green. I have only used it pulling a Rhino 272 cutter. I run it about 1700-1800 rpm for cutting. The first time i used it i cut the most overgrown part of my pasture which had alot of 7 ft weeds. I want to say the weeds are maybe "willow weeds" they are soft at the top. Well anyway after 4-5 hours of cutting i noticed the temp gauge was still in the green but close to the red. I used a leaf blower and blew out the radiator as good as i could it had alot of weed tops in it. I have kept an eye on the temp gauge and it seems that its operating temp at 1750 rpm under heavy mowing is always close to the red but never in the red. Does anyone know if this is the normal operating temp? I read that this engine has a thermostat should i remove it since i live in the south? Any opinion is appreciated.

 

[MFRED]

I wouldn't remove the thermostat. I would check the radiator again. maybe wash it with detergent & water, then blow through it. The thermostat will help it stay in operating temp. Once the radiator is clean, it'll probably barely get up to temp.

I would run that cutter a little faster as well. Make sure you're at PTO speed. It doesn't help the engine at all to lug with that cutter on.

 

[jlsmith]

i agree with MFRED. Clean the rad good and then blew it out with a air blower. the leaf blower will not do a good enough job.

 

[Don87]

Just be real careful cleaning the radiator. I've seen people take a pressure washer to them, and bend the 'fins' over. That restricts the airflow through the radiator and causes overheating quicker.