Too much work for a compact tractor?

[TNGP]

While I'd love a M108S with a FEL, or even a M7060 - right now I've got a nice little B7500. I use it to pull out large logs and concrete debris from the hollar on my property. I use it to mow with a 3pt. and other "heavy" pulling needs (moving trailers around etc.). It does all of these things very well and runs out of traction before power 99.5% of the time.

But, here's the issue. When working hard and in hot weather (90F+) in low gear, my HST transmission gets incredibly hot. Though I don't have a temp gun yet, it's safe to assume that its about the same temp as the "in" side of the radiator. It's hot enough to make me wonder if I need to install a large after market (flex-a-lite) oil cooler. I know this sounds like an amateur post and a quick answer is "things get hot when worked", it still leaves me curious if this is a true issue with this tractor or HST's in general. The hydraulic cooling system as it sits is a tube array about 3/4" in front of the radiator with no discernible airflow. This and the heat of the HST are the same with the engine cowling on or off.

So, should I look into an actual oil cooler instead of the stock bent tube array? Should I leave the oil cooler and instead stuff a large fan in there to move 2x the air? I know my hydraulic oil won't shear below several hundred degrees, but how will the actual HST fare with high heat? Do they fall apart like a automotive transmission? To note the oil hasn't burnt or discolored - Its brand new Syntractor III.

Sorry for the novice questions - I love tinkering with machines but tractors are new to me. I need the wisdom from the people here before I upset my wife by breaking our only tractor.

 

[4570Man]

Can you post a picture of the oil cooler? My B7100 has an actual oil cooler, but the fins are pretty bent up so I doubt it does much good.

 

[TNGP]

The black tubes is what is supposed to pass as a HST cooler.

 

[bdog]

Does it not have any kind of temp gauge or warning light? I have got the hydraulics hot on my full size backhoe when working it hard in 100 degree weather. Extra cooling can't hurt but you really don't know if you need it or not without knowing the temps.

 

[TNGP]

It does have a temp warning light, but I haven't checked the sensor. I'm sure it's working but I don't know for sure. Would it be wise to nip it in the bud with a cooler or let it be and see if the light comes on? I've got to get myself a temp gun....

 

[jeff9366]

You should discuss this with your local Kubota dealer, familiar with both your tractor and your conditions.

 

[bdog]

A temp gun would be cheaper than adding a cooler. Don't get me wrong a cooler is never a bad idea but you may be trying to fix a problem that doesn't exist. With no way to measure the temp and no warning lights going off your tractor may very well be operating right in its normal range. Tractors are designed to work and with no signs that it is overheating it probably is ok.

 

[TNGP]

Jeff, bdog - you've both got a good point. I don't trust my local Kubota dealer after thy delivered a used tractor they were trying to sell me as new (After the second part rusted off and allowed the entire deck to drop they were more willing to talk). So I'll have to rely on this forum for tractor intel. There really is no way to feel temp - I'll have to invest in a gun. I've been needing to anyway.

Thank you all for the replies.

 

[jim44]

I would think that the "no discernible airflow" through your radiator might be a good place to start. If the fan is working, it should be sucking plenty air through there.

 

[flusher]

My 2005 Kubota B7510HST was very prone to overheat if the radiator air passages were more than about half clogged with debris when brush hogging my 7 acre place. An easy thing to check and fix if that's the problem.

Good luck.