Is this a normal temperature while mowing?

[SandburRanch]

While mowing (gator mulching blades) on my bx1860 (loader attached), is this a normal temperature? It was a hot day, maybe 80s.

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This original post was on 5-9-11 with the ambient temperature - "maybe 80s" - as the post reads.

Today's temperature is forecast is to be 106°F at Wichita so that would be a good time for some testing. If you can duplicate the work load fairly close and the temperature gauge reads the same the odds are that the gauge needs calibrating.

If the coolant temperature increases significantly, on a thermostat controlled cooling system, as the ambient temperature increases it's an indication the cooling system is dirty or came from the factory on the light capacity side.

 

[moeh1]

You might want to check for proper fan belt tension also. I had mine loosen up enough once that it was OK for running around, but was slipping enough under heavy load that I was approaching an overheat condition.

 

[newdeal]

I ha e a bx2360 and yes it gets that hot. When ihave the 60" mower on with throttle at about 2900rpm it gets that hot mowing. It will get almost in the red when using a 4 foot bush hog in dense grass. I clean the rad screen all the time but it always runs hot

 

[casolorz]

I did one final test before I call the dealer to tell them it is still having heat issues. I had to take the mower out because I wanted to use my box blade and also I wanted to look at the mower blades. Also I cleaned the radiator with the compressor, and made sure the tires high the right amount of air.

I used my 4 feet box blade for a little bit, about 20 minutes into using it at about 2200 rpm on the slow gear 4x4, the temperature was fairly high (see attachment). The temperature got a bit higher later. I wasn't using the rippers, just the blade to level loose soil. Has anyone seen temps that high with a box blade?

 

[kuboman]

Unless you have checked your engine temp with a infrared thermometer how do you know what the actual temp is? To go by the gauge without checking it's accuracy you are just uniformed:confused2:

 

[casolorz]

Unless you have checked your engine temp with a infrared thermometer how do you know what the actual temp is? To go by the gauge without checking it's accuracy you are just uniformed:confused2:

Well that is part of my problem, I need to find a way to get my dealer to admit there is a problem. When they've looked at the tractor they have just said they can't reproduce the issue. I am fairly new to owning a tractor so I keep thinking maybe I'm doing something wrong.

 

[dodge man]

Your temp gage when mowing looked almost identical to mine. I don't have a box blade so I can't compare, but that looks high to me for using a box blade, but I don't know how hard that works the tractor.

I can tell by my temp gage, and my fuel usage, that mowing with my BX works the engine the hardest. I can't compare that to using a box blade since I don't have one, but using a end loader, rear blade, my temp gage stays in the middle, that stuff just doesn't work it very hard. I'd get one of those point and shoot thermometers if I was you. I think you can pick one up for less than $100. To be honest, I think that is the only thing that will give you peace of mind.

 

[casolorz]

Your temp gage when mowing looked almost identical to mine. I don't have a box blade so I can't compare, but that looks high to me for using a box blade, but I don't know how hard that works the tractor.

I can tell by my temp gage, and my fuel usage, that mowing with my BX works the engine the hardest. I can't compare that to using a box blade since I don't have one, but using a end loader, rear blade, my temp gage stays in the middle, that stuff just doesn't work it very hard. I'd get one of those point and shoot thermometers if I was you. I think you can pick one up for less than $100. To be honest, I think that is the only thing that will give you peace of mind.

I bought a laser thermometer yesterday, waiting for it to arrive. Does anyone know the temperature ranges I should be seeing?

 

[wrooster]

I bought a laser thermometer yesterday, waiting for it to arrive. Does anyone know the temperature ranges I should be seeing?

Where on the engine will you be measuring?
What is the distance you will be measuring from?
How large is the IR measurement aperture on the thermometer at that distance?

I ask because you can get very varied results depending on the above.

Wrooster

 

[casolorz]

Where on the engine will you be measuring?
What is the distance you will be measuring from?
How large is the IR measurement aperture on the thermometer at that distance?

I ask because you can get very varied results depending on the above.

Wrooster

I have no idea. I don't know all the technical details of the thermometer yet, but where on the engine should I be measuring?