TC45D Burning Rubber Odor

burtrl · Apr 3, 2010

When I push large amounts of earth with the FEL in the lowest range and the tractor bogs down, I start to get a burning rubber smell. Has anyone out there had a similar experience? Anyone know what might be causing this?

Thanks

Eagleview · Apr 3, 2010

Are you sure it's not a clutch plate smell ? It could be slipping under heavy load . A rubber smell is usually belts slipping but the hydraulic pumps are gear driven and the water pump and alternator would not cause it when you are noticing it .

dave1949 · Apr 3, 2010

Clutch is most likely if you have one. Have you checked the clutch adjustment?

Another thing I have noticed, the exhaust smells more and a little different when the engine is really loaded and it puts out a little black smoke. You could be smelling that. It's not the same as cold engine start black smoke smell wise.
Dave.

Ford850 · Apr 4, 2010

Check your tire pressure. You could be spinning a rim in a tire when you are pushing as you described.

jinman · Apr 4, 2010

The TC45D doesn't have a clutch. The only driveline "slippage" is when the HST goes into bypass. I think the two most likely culprits are a small leak around the power steering reservoir that is allowing hydraulic fluid to leak down on the hot engine or the under-hood exhaust system has a pinhole leak that is heating something up.

I have a small leak in my power steering hoses (a tiny seep) that allows fluid to collect on the engine. When I work my tractor hard, there is a definite smell of hot hydraulic fluid that doesn't smell anything like motor oil. It is a smell all its own and somewhat like rubber.

You might also check that no foam or rubber is coming in contact with your muffler on the left side of the engine. While there, start the engine and look to see if you hear or see signs of an exhaust leak.

I would also check the fanbelt for slippage. If you shut the tractor down when you smell the smell and sniff around the fanbelt area, you should be able to smell it if it's a slipping belt. You can easily check belt tightness too.