I've just acquired a Yanmar 1700 to replace an old Massey Harris my wife has gotten tired of horsing around for mowing purposes. She really likes the Yanmar, but we've got a couple of issues with it:
1. It's overheating while mowing. I've got a 4' Howse rotary cutter on it and it will mow for maybe about a half an hour in 85-90 degrees before the temp light comes on. I've replaced all the fluids (mixed the anti-freeze properly), pulled and flushed the radiator, new hoses, new fan belt. Any other ideas? I gather a lot of people put water pumps on these. Where would I get a water pump kit for it if I need to go that way?
2. How "tippy" are these things? It FEELS tippier than the Massey, but that may be just the feeling of the smaller machine. Is it reasonable to put the rear wheels on "inside out" to increase stability? I'm thinking this MIGHT help with the overheating as well since my wife says the rear tires are rubbing on the hitch arms a lot of the time. We have mostly just a couple of pretty flat acres to mow, but there are some dicy spots and I'd hate to see it roll over on my wife. Then i'd have to do the mowing. She's not anxious to spend the money for a rollover bar if it's not necessary.
Any insight or comments will be appreciated.
1. It's overheating while mowing. I've got a 4' Howse rotary cutter on it and it will mow for maybe about a half an hour in 85-90 degrees before the temp light comes on. I've replaced all the fluids (mixed the anti-freeze properly), pulled and flushed the radiator, new hoses, new fan belt. Any other ideas? I gather a lot of people put water pumps on these. Where would I get a water pump kit for it if I need to go that way?
2. How "tippy" are these things? It FEELS tippier than the Massey, but that may be just the feeling of the smaller machine. Is it reasonable to put the rear wheels on "inside out" to increase stability? I'm thinking this MIGHT help with the overheating as well since my wife says the rear tires are rubbing on the hitch arms a lot of the time. We have mostly just a couple of pretty flat acres to mow, but there are some dicy spots and I'd hate to see it roll over on my wife. Then i'd have to do the mowing. She's not anxious to spend the money for a rollover bar if it's not necessary.
Any insight or comments will be appreciated.