Anyone install an oil cooler on a BX?

[rdsaustintx]

I would pick up an IR temperature gauge and run the tractor and shoot the temp to see were temp is at compared to the dash gauge.

Well, that's a good thought, except the gauge is not calibrated at all. Just a cartoon picture.

I got ya covered on surface temperature measurements, just no basis for comparison. Here's my BX backhoe on a 90 degree day:

 

[rdsaustintx]

Good point Jimmer. I have met people who think anti-freeze helps cooling. It has very low specific heat capacity compared to water. One guy I knew was trying to run 100% antifreeze in a drag race motor. Couldn't figure out why his heads kept warping.

I run about 1/3 anti-freeze down here in BubbaLand. Like other posters, gauge never goes much past the middle.

 

[tommu56]

Well, that's a good thought, except the gauge is not calibrated at all. Just a cartoon picture.

I got ya covered on surface temperature measurements, just no basis for comparison. Here's my BX backhoe on a 90 degree day:

The guy that does our IR scans at work can read the temperature pretty well loking at your scan the ~~160 degrees doesn't seam all that bad our air compressors run over 200 normally .

tom

 

[techguy2]

Thanks for all the replies.

For those that had questions:

Runs slightly into the red line during the hot summer months only, and only after 2 hours or so of mowing. all other times runs fine.

I can take off the cowling and everything cools down to below the red line.

I mow FULL throttle. High or low gear doesn't seem to change it much...neither does dull or sharp blades.

No bent fins, no engine issues that I can find, clean radiator. Already replaced thermostat once. Have been reluctant to run without one, but may do so to help water flow.

I am really wondering what it would take to add a better quality temperature gauge? With those reporting their BX always stays in the middle, I am wondering if they changed something? I am also wondering if it would be worthwhile to change the temp sender?

 

[timswi]

Thanks for all the replies.

For those that had questions:

Runs slightly into the red line during the hot summer months only, and only after 2 hours or so of mowing. all other times runs fine.

I can take off the cowling and everything cools down to below the red line.

I mow FULL throttle. High or low gear doesn't seem to change it much...neither does dull or sharp blades.

No bent fins, no engine issues that I can find, clean radiator. Already replaced thermostat once. Have been reluctant to run without one, but may do so to help water flow.

I am really wondering what it would take to add a better quality temperature gauge? With those reporting their BX always stays in the middle, I am wondering if they changed something? I am also wondering if it would be worthwhile to change the temp sender?

I cut grass with the throttle wide open and it runs at halfway on the guage. I haven't touched anything in the cooling system in 5 years. The hand held IR guage is a great idea that others have mentioned. I'd try that before you do anything. They can run a little warm, but not what you're describing.

 

[radioman]

I been mowing both under rated RPMS and at rated RPMS with MMM for 2 hours or more on hot day and temps may get a little above the middle but never at or near red mark. I havent changed a thing, other then doing oil, filters changes at recommended intervals. I use kubota oil, nothing else.
I bought one of those infrared non contact thermeters frm HF and it seems to work. I am planning on taking readings when I work my BX hard, but its not snowing nor its mowing season yet .

jimmer brings a very good point- should check the antifreeze. You can use the 2 dollar ball reader from autostore to check your "freeze" protection and see if you have too much antifreeze or need more water.

 

[BotaBigot]

I'm with those suggesting first verify accuracy of temp gauge. Most gauges are "relative" indicators...especially if tractor has always run hot.

As for pulling thermostat...no. Liquid cooled engines work more efficiently with temp regulated...especially diesels.

Test radiator cap...may not be holding pressure.

Don't know age of your tractor, but antifreeze loses anti-rust properties over time. Look in radiator for any crud which could be restricting flow thru tubes. A flush and new 50/50 mix may be in order.

Adding aftermarket oil cooler could introduce problems...line chafing, leaks, snagging on something... Tractor environment harsher than auto...

 

[rdsaustintx]

I'll try to remember to take an image of the engine bay when mowing season starts. Won't be long (PLENTY of rain this year).

 

[megaboz]

Thanks for all the replies.

For those that had questions:

Runs slightly into the red line during the hot summer months only, and only after 2 hours or so of mowing. all other times runs fine.

I can take off the cowling and everything cools down to below the red line.

I mow FULL throttle. High or low gear doesn't seem to change it much...neither does dull or sharp blades.

No bent fins, no engine issues that I can find, clean radiator. Already replaced thermostat once. Have been reluctant to run without one, but may do so to help water flow.

I am really wondering what it would take to add a better quality temperature gauge? With those reporting their BX always stays in the middle, I am wondering if they changed something? I am also wondering if it would be worthwhile to change the temp sender?

I would get one of those IR guns (someone else already mention this)that you point and shoot and hit the radiator and the engine block and compare to your guauge. I would even try pulling the dipstick and shoot it (if you can, maybe surface area too small). If the guage is off, take a sharpy and mark the area on the guage that is safe and not worry about it.

You could spend too much time and money for something like an idiot guage anyways. (Don't anyone take offense, I only call them that because they are typically unreliable in farm equipment).

If the tractor is over heating your overflow tank would be blowing excess coolant all over the place.

I've ran my tractor in 95+ heat and notice the temp guage rise a little bit because of it, but never redline and I cut for hours in this heat.

Other things to consider for the safety of your engine, is run a slightly high vecosity oil (which from the sounds of it wouldn't hurt if the temps are that high normally.)

SOmething else to look at is your lines running to and from the radiator, check them for soft spots, possibly could be collasping under the extreme heat or maybe there is a kink. Many people have rna into similar issues with those lines.

And Probably the messiest thing to do is drain the system run some water through it, diconnect the line feeding the radiator and check the coolant flow from the pump to the radiator, I don't know what a desired flow rate or pressure should be, but that could point to another issue.

But the IR gun would be your best bet to get an idea if it is just your guage.

I don't think an oil cooler would help that much, maybe but I think it would only bandaid fix the problem if there is one and not really correct the real issue that could get worse.

If you really think the heat is hurting the mower, send off an oil sample periodically to a place and let them test it. The tests would show if the ooil is overly used.

Before I wear out this topic, have you driven the tractor into the shade once it started heating up? I know it is funny, but I know when out in the fields, the fields seem so much hotter and I wonder if the ambient temperature around it could be affecting the sensor or actually warming up the tractor. Maybe this one is out there, but when I used to ride my air cooled motorcycle, when I got out of the city, the temp on it would actually go down because it wasn't as warm in the country from the radiating heat from the pavement. Again, don't give me too much crap for this one, it was a just thought and maybe not a real good one.

 

[evan waa]

I have a Bx2200 and a Bx22 they both tend to run hot and are very sensitive to air flow through the radiator. I have tried many things to improve cooling. The attempts have included new drive belts for fan, new thermostat, clean out grass and leaves this is a must and frequently, antifreeze to water ratio, one tractor bx22 a three row tube radiator (After mart radiator from Honda) shroud needed to be reformed on press brake for fit, and cutting down a five blade fan from Kubota bx2680. Was disappointed with the radiator change seem to reduce air flow and very little improvement in cooling. The best improvement to date is the five blade fan which was installed on both tractors. Wondering if anybody has increased the fan rpm with a crankshaft pulley change and does Kubota have a part like this? Any other ideas to improve cooling?