Tractor Over Heated

[Lloyd_E]

About a week ago I was snow blowing 6" of heavy snow. RPM's set around 2000. Mid range in 3rd gear. Did lane - about 1000' plus a few neighbors small driveways. Everything working fine. I went to do a bit of clean up before calling it a day. Tractor use about 3.0 hours. I was blowing a large pile of snow - driving backwards and looking backwards. Turned forwards and steam, smell of anti-freeze everywhere. Temp gauge in the red. Shut tractor down. I let the tractor cool down and checked overflow tank - full. I toped up rad and restarted tractor - took about 4 litres. Gauge shows normal - finished clean up - everything fine.

I used the tractor very little over the last 3 or 4 days but every time I do I smell a mild smell of anti-freeze - gauge shows normal. Today I opened the hood and took a look and there appears to be anti-freeze on top of the rad. Overflow tank is full and gauge shows normal. Rad cap is tight.

Am I missing something? Also, there doesn't seem to be al lot of heat coming out of the
heater - some but not a lot. Before I call dealer for check is there anything I can do on my end? Dealer is about 2 hours away....

Many thanks... what could have caused the over heating?

 

[Steve_Miller]

Thermostat stuck closed? Start tractor with rad cover off and let heat up until thermostat opens and you should see circulation. If not hot water pushing back into overflow tank or out the rad opening.

Steve

 

[kenstrac]

I would check the radiator cap and line going to overflow tank,overflow tank should not be full.

 

[Lloyd_E]

Will check in the morning.

Thanks.

Lloyd

 

[wallace]

Make sure you didn't bump the aux remote lever into one of the on positions that will heat things up like you can believe.

 

[Lloyd_E]

Wallace,

Thanks. I did that once...

I found the problem. Not sure why it over heated but the plastic housing - top of rad - that connects to the rad hose is cracked.

Will call my dealer.

Wallace - can you order separate parts or do I need a new rad?

Thanks Lloyd

 

[wallace]

It is the whole thing

 

[wallace]

You might want to go to a radiator shop and see if they can fix the tank cause you looking at almost a $800 bill

 

[Coyote machine]

Lloyd_E,

Sorry to hear of your misfortune. I thought it sounded like a header issue. How old is the tractor; how many hours on it?
I'm wondering if you might have had some kind of impact to the tank header at some point that might have gone unnoticed?
Any chance the pieces are still in the radiator housing or on the frame somewhere- (assuming it is broken and pieces are missing or is it just cracked)?
The reason I ask is if there are pieces missing it may be impossible to fix if it is just cracked it might be able to be repaired by a skilled plastics welder...
Unfortunately, my experience has been that once a plastic header fails the entire radiator usually needs to be replaced- not what you want to hear- I know, but they don't usually make header parts available for repairs to be accomplished.
I could be wrong though since things may have changed as to what is available to radiator shops for aluminum core plastic header radiator repairs.
Usually the tank headers are crimped onto the radiator at the factory and that may be the repair issue in the field.
You might be able to have the shop size an all aluminum radiator without the plastic header to your rig. It would be a better radiator and might actually cost less.
Good luck,
Post back how things progress - and I'd suggest replacing the thermostat as well due to its being exposed to the extreme heat of an overheat situation. Its cheap peace of mind going forward.

 

[Lloyd_E]

The top is cracked - no pieces missing.
I am assuming this is under warranty. Something failed causing the tractor to overheat and cracking the rad. What I don't understand is why it would crack. Is there not an over flow pressure release somewhere?

The tractor has 416 hours and they just completed a service about 3 weeks ago.
Up to now it has been working flawlessly for the most part. There is still 2 years left on the warranty.

I tend to baby this thing. Always wash it and grease and do a check of things. Most of the manual charts I scanned and enlarged and printed and tacked up in the shop as a visual reminder of maintenance...

Will post back later...


Lloyd

 

[Coyote machine]

I can't speak for tractors but with foreign cars aluminum core radiators with plastic tank headers are prone to failing at the weakest link- the seal between the header and the gasket where the tank connects to same OR a defect or impact to the plastic header which causes the type of problem you are experiencing.
Glad to hear it is under warranty!
Make sure they replace your t-stat and all of the coolant- once its boiled/ turned to steam it is useless. Coolant is a poor lubricant straight out of the jug- it is rendered useless by scalding it when a radiator blows off due to excess pressure from lack of enough liquid.

 

[Lloyd_E]

Dealer just called - warranty item. Will order and replace at my residence next week.

I will be sure to have the shop warm and the coffee and donuts/pizza flowing....

I will ask the mechanic, but any idea why the tractor over heated - thermostat failure?
Just curious.

Lloyd

 

[Oldtrout]

Glad to hear they are looking after you Lloyd, I have found your dealer to be A1, in customer service, I had a few issues,nothing serious and problem was resolved over the phone, I plan on taking mine to them of have them come here,in April or May,just before my 2 year bumper to bumper expires, I suspect by than will have 600 hours on,dealer hasn't seen since he delivered it so its soon time I re aquainted him to the tractor....
I'm seriously thinking of upgrading a few sizes, my son says just give me the CK25 and go buy a bigger one...that is not going to happen..,I just want something heaver to play in my woodlot in the winter,I borrowed a logging wench from a friend for a few days,lots ot PTO power but a good sized pine,pulled tractor all over the place.

 

[Lloyd_E]

Oldtrout.

Yup. Dealer and product seem to be A1! I would love to have a logging winch... if you find a good used one !!!
Great gift if you can swing it - son would be proud and you would have a back up if need be.

I had 3 warranty issues over 2 years and everything was serviced fine. Although I have a fair bit of hours and accomplished a lot with it - it is certainly not over worked or abused - the running joke in the family is when I Armor-All everything only to get it dirty within a few hours - till the next time.

You will be impressed with the DK line. When I first looked at them about 6 years ago I was impressed with the castings, over all weight increase compared to comparable units in size and colour and the price point.

Like my good friend says "the only thing better than owning a tractor is having a good friend with one!!!"


lloyd

 

[Oldtrout]

LOL, Problem is son has been spending a lot of time in Afghanistan. Its good to hear that overall you are a happy camper,I am more than happy with my purchase.
I must admit that my tractor could use a good cleaning,actually hasn't been washed in almost 2 years,well I did pick a bit of mud off after I found a sink hole,mud was up over the floor boards,had to call in a small dozer to pull me out.., I'll save that story for another day...My customer took pictures,will post them when he sends them to me.

Bottom line I am glad you are being looked after,and hopefully you will be up and running by the weekend as it looks as if we are in for a tad of snow.

Have a great New Year....W

 

[Hoosier Hay Man]

I knew a guy plowing snow with his pickup and cracking the top tank on his radiator. That has been 15 years ago or more. I guess it wasn't that uncommon when they started using plastic tanks on pickups. They were basicaly junk as you couldn't find anyone to repair them I think the dealer thought the cause was snow getting on the tank. With you snow blowing and it hitched on the rear that shouldn't of been the case. Interested in hearing what the dealer thinks caused it. It sounds like you are getting very good support. Having a good dealer is priceless! Good luck!

 

[Egon]

Is there not an over flow pressure release somewhere?

That should be the radiator cap.

 

[Coyote machine]

When the tank's header cracked and it went unnoticed because you were looking in the opposite direction- it was like removing the radiator cap under full load (which the snow moving operation definitely is) and it allowed expansion caused by heat from the engine to blow out antifreeze all over the place and lowered, I suspect, the overall fluid level- thus overheating the engine.

Anecdotal data:
You know how people say to not remove the radiator cap when an engine is hot or overheating - the same applies when a thermostat sticks closed- I know from when that happened on my Isuzzu truck and I just cracked the cap but could not get it back on and had to literally duck and run away only to get hit with scalding hot antifreeze and steam! OW! Never again- I hope.

 

[Lloyd_E]

Thanks for the replies... so it is sounding like a stuck thermostat causing the initial problem.

Oldtrout... I got stuck a couple of times. Once in my own field while digging a trench. I was amazed I could get out - back hoe couldn't budge me and I could not go forward due to the mud and a 3' trench I just dug. I extended the hoe out for more weight over the back and put it in Low 1st gear and let the clutch out with no throttle - low and behold it drove out - mud was just over the floor of the cab on one side. Called it a day and spent a few hours washing and re-greasing/oiling everything.

Weather network now calling for rain - keep my fingers crossed.

Coyote - watched a person get burned really bad by doing the rad cap thing...won't happen on my watch!


Lloyd

 

[Thomas]

Lloyd.
Thats great news and thumbs up to dealer.

"I will be sure to have the shop warm and the coffee and donuts/pizza flowing...."
And what day might that be.