Troubleshooting quick heating :

[FMFProperties]

It was the clogged radiator fins, all good now.

 

[asjadkhan]

It sounds like you’ve already learned a lot about how overheating can snowball into other issues, and you’re doing the right thing by gathering all the symptoms before diving in.

From what you’ve described, I’d break it into two separate—but possibly related—issues:

1. Overheating – The fact that it’s better in a lower gear suggests the cooling system can keep up when the load is lighter. That points toward borderline cooling capacity rather than a completely failed component. Still, repeated overheating could have already weakened the head gasket or warped the head, which brings us to…
2. Hard starting + bubbling coolant – Bubbling at the radiator cap while running is a classic sign of combustion gases getting into the cooling system. A head gasket leak (or cracked head) would explain both the bubbles and some of the hard-start symptoms, especially if compression is leaking between cylinders.

Before you commit to a head gasket replacement, I’d strongly suggest:

• Combustion leak test with the diesel-specific fluid.
• Compression test or leakdown test to verify cylinder sealing.
• Check fan and water pump operation (just to be sure the mechanical cooling side is fine).

If the compression is good and the leak test passes, you might be looking more at fuel/air delivery problems or even early signs of mechanical binding from repeated overheating (as Harry in Ky mentioned).

Bottom line: get those test results first. If they point to a gasket or head issue, you’ll be going into the repair knowing it’s not a wild guess.

 

[ning]

What happens if you take a partial cut like 7 or 8 ft vs full 10 ft?

I don't know what you're asking here. I was either using the 5' mower or the 10' mower, I don't have any other mower.

He's asking if you tried cutting with some overlap on the already-cut, so you've only got 7-8' actually being cut at a time.

 

[Harry in Ky]

He's asking if you tried cutting with some overlap on the already-cut, so you've only got 7-8' actually being cut at a time.

If that's what's required he's better off mounting a sun shade on his zero turn and peddling this pile.

 

[LouNY]

Or just drop a gear and enjoy the cab and AC with the radio on.

 

[FMFProperties]

It was the clogged radiator fins, all good now.

 

[Torvy]

If that's what's required he's better off mounting a sun shade on his zero turn and peddling this pile.

It's a trouble shooting step.

 

[oldnslo]

I know he asked before he knew what I was cutting so it's probably academic now, but if the tractor and 10' mower can't handle 5" to 6" grass, then it's not worth it.

Is this a rough cut mower or a finish mower?

We don’t know how the mower is configured. Is it set appropriately level front to back so acting somewhat like a mulching deck recutting the clippings.

Type and moisture of grass. There is a huge variation in how some types of grass cut vs others and same with moisture content.

I could be 100% mistaken but seems like might be expecting a little to much from the tractor since simply dropping a gear and the problem goes away.

 

[Harry in Ky]

As I see it, he's on the right track. The problem will indeed go away. On someone's trailer.

 

[FMFProperties]

Is this a rough cut mower or a finish mower?

We don’t know how the mower is configured. Is it set appropriately level front to back so acting somewhat like a mulching deck recutting the clippings.

Type and moisture of grass. There is a huge variation in how some types of grass cut vs others and same with moisture content.

I could be 100% mistaken but seems like might be expecting a little to much from the tractor since simply dropping a gear and the problem goes away.

I only use it for the Coastal Bermuda runway. The Coastal Bermuda hay fields are done with bigger equipment.

It was the clogged radiator fins, all good now.