Mowing Tractor Overheating with Finish Mower but not Bushhog

[Flinx]

I have a Massey Ferguson 1433v that works fine when I use the Bushhog on any speed (Turtle or Rabbit); however it quickly overheats when I use the Finish Mower in Rabbit gear 1 and slowly overheats in Turtle gear 4. I've cleaned the radiator screen and that doesn't seem to be the problem. When I first purchased it (used) I had an overheating problem and a mechanic came out and replaced the thermostat. Now it never overheats unless I use the Finish Mower. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[MHarryE]

You've cleaned the screen but is it possible the radiator is still partly plugged? My tractor has 3 coolers and 2 screens. Even though the first screen (air conditioner) is very fine, I also always find significant dirt in the second screen (radiator). Yesterday my tractor was running hotter than normal after cutting so I had to clean both screens plus blow out the radiator, oil cooler, and air conditioner condenser. You are probably overheating using the finish mower because it sucks up the most power. That is the most logical reason, that and mowers always create chaff to plug the cooling system.

 

[Dozernut]

Could be the bearings on the spindle shafts of the mower are bad. Raise the mower up and turn off the tractor, unhook the pto shaft then see if you can spin or move the mower blades easily by hand. If you can then they are probably okay, if not and you have drag, then you need to pull the spindles and replace the bearings.

 

[jenkinsph]

MHarryE and Dozernut have both provided you with the most logical answers, I recommend you check out both.

 

[Leejohn]

I well add, check air intake filter.

 

[Flinx]

Thanks guys. It's finally dry enough to drive the tractor on my flood plain fields. I checked the screen again, the radiator and the air filter. Couldn't see anything in the radiator, but just in case I hosed it off, trying not to bend any fins (but some are bent). I only have one screen and then the radiator (it's only a 33 hp tractor). The air filter is discolored but clean. I then cut the grass, but sure enough, after awhile it started to heat up in rabbit 1, so I put it back in turtle 4 and it slowly cooled down while I continued to cut the grass. The finish mower is all greased up, but I did put a new belt on it last year so maybe it's too tight? I'll see how the blades turn. I'm not sure what spindles are, but I have replaced bearings before in a lawn tractor, so I'll take a look. If that's not it then I guess I'll have to call a mechanic to come and take a look. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[yelbike]

Spindles are what the blades attach to. The bearing are seated in there as well.

 

[petegoud]

When I first got my used tractor the owner complained about it overheating, turned out to be that most of the radiator fins were plugged with mud. I simply just used a garden hose nozzle to clean it, no overheating after that!

 

[yelbike]

BTW you can buy a fin comb to straighten out those bent fins. The combs are dirt cheap also. A small flat screwdriver works as well.

 

[Flinx]

I checked the finish mower blades and they turn freely, so the belt's not too tight and the bearings seem to be fine. I was talking to John Deere salesman who said . He mentioned blowing out the back of the radiator, which I'm not sure I can get to, but I'll take a look. We spoke for about 20 minutes or so on the subject. If cleaning it doesn't solve the issue then he's thinking it may be a faulty thermostat.