4110 radiators

[coffeeman]

Yea, I think I might try a filter of some sort this summer on mine too, see if it works. This time of year I have no problem - the grass is always moist and don't have much seed & dust flying around, I can do my whole 6 acres without blowing the rad. out. In summer I usually have to stop twice or 3 times and hit it from the engine side with the blowgun, have to watch the gauge. About every 4 or 5 cuttings I take the battery out and go at it with the pressure washer, carefully. My washer is set on 2100 psi but it is a 5 gpm and will knock the snot out of anything it touches - of course I use a wide fan nozzle and keep back from the rad. to avoid damage. Also, if you use one of the good 'ol non-safety blowguns with the 12" metal nozzle like I do, take a short piece of 1/8" vacuum hose and stick on the end so you don't stab your rad. fins and bend them. I just can't imagine sitting there with a paper clip .....

Since it's spring again....I wonder. I wonder if those who cut a lot of grass every year and have this problem often; is there a replacement rad that might have more space between fins and clog less? A rad for something else that can be made to fit Mahindra with minor changes. It might be worth cost to change rad if it costs them enough hours every year cleaning rad. For me I don't get into high grass often enough to make any changes. Geeze, I could cut all the high stuff in rain if I have to. How this for an idea? I could cut all the high stuff in reverse.

Cheers.....Coffeeman

 

[Tim_in_IA]

my 6500 has a screen in front of the radiator that was getting clogged finally. I had never cleaned it. The hard part was getting it to slide off. It looked like it was designed right but there were 2 joints (folds) in the metal frame that were getting stuck on the retainers when I tried to slide it out. Took some bending with a flathead screwdriver and it slid out finally. I was pleased to see a nice clean radiator underneath. I'd say if you have a radiator that dirty and there isn't a pre-screen go get some metal window screen fabric and make one with a simple metal frame. some heavy wire might be enough to make it rigid. Then just put it between the radiator and fan flush on the radiator. You can remove it periodically and spray off and prevent all that crap from getting lodged in the radiator.

 

[skipmarcy]

Sure, my radiator has the factory screen but it is way too coarse and doesn't seal the perimeter very well. And when my radiator is clogged, it's down deep - it doesn't appear to be very dirty on visual inspection. I'm thinking along the lines of the furnace filter idea and expecting to change it after most every cut during the very dry months. Most of what clogs the radiator is fine clay dust and very small weed parts and the fins are so close you can't see it in there, only when you start blowing it out do you see how much is really in there.

I'm certain another radiator could be fitted with a little ingenuity. I was an auto mechanic for 34 years and I can recall many auto rads that had very tight fin spacing - especially older British & Italian cars. The fins would get smashed very easily and cut airflow, had to get the old fin comb out. Same thing with some a/c condensers. Nowadays most autos use wider spacing so bugs will break-up and pass thru easier and the fins seem to be sturdier too. When the day comes I need a rad for mine, I'll probably try to fit something different from the aftermarket.

 

[Jsupport]

With the screens out first I blow it out from the engine side with compressed air first, that gets rid of the bulk of the loose particles and the not so loose particles. I've got one of those two foot wands to blow it out with. Then I take the water hose with a sprayer set to push a hard stream of water and push it out, again from the rear. I then start the tractor, everything else has been done with the engine cold, and shoot the water to it from the front. This takes care of 98-99% of the particles between the fins.

The instructions from Keith_B are the best way to clean these radiators. Many customers try to clean them by using water in the direction of the airflow. You need to clean you radiator like you would clean an air filter, against the normal direction of the air flow.

If you have dry conditions and any of the fins are even slightly plugged, water in this direction will pack dry debris in like concrete. If this is the case, when you pull the radiator out of the tractor you will not be able to see through most of the radiator.

The best solution is to take it to your local radiator shop. They will put it in a tank and boil out the debris from the fins. It would also be a go idea to have them check the water flow on the inside in case you have mineral deposits that may restrict coolant flow.

Several people have suggested larger fin spacing or modifying the radiator. This may work in the short term but if the cleaning habits are the same, the problem will return. The trip to the radiator shop and these cleaning tips are also much cheaper that a new radiator. Best of Luck.

 

[cdude]

I had constant problems with my rad, I had to blow it out or wash it out all the time. I had a local rad shop build me one with bigger holes. It was the best 500 bucks Ive spent in a long time.

 

[BobF]

OK ... I've read this thread and others. A different radiator is prolly the best answer. Until then though ...

I completely get why a radiator should be cleaned from the inside. How the heck do you do that without removing the radiator?! With the shroud and fan I don't see how to get very much done. Are you guys actually removing the radiator every few hours?

 

[Browneyesvictim]

I think I might be able to help you. I happen to work for a heavy equipment manufacturer for equipment that is used in the aggregate, mining and recycle markets. There are many product lines we build that are self contained with engines that operate in very nasty environments. They work in very dusty and dirty air and in all weather extremes. Particularly with the asphalt and recycled asphalt units, plugged radiators like this are a common issue. The ground up and processed asphalt dust in the air will melt upon contact of the radiator and many of the hot engine components, and is very difficult to remove. Even radiator shops don't get them clean without the use of one specific product we have found called Excel Clean HD. Any other modern solvent simply doesn't work. Its not cheap. but it works. Now most of our distribution is using this stuff for cleaning a lot more than just asphalt out of radiators.

 

[RalphVa]

It's a lot easier to blow with compressed air after each use. I remove the outside screen and blow from the engine side. You never want to use water. it'll just pack the stuff in there.

Did this on my 4010, 1025R and now on the 2025R. The 2025R is especially wide open.

Ralph

 

[BobF]

It's a lot easier to blow with compressed air after each use. I remove the outside screen and blow from the engine side. You never want to use water. it'll just pack the stuff in there.

Did this on my 4010, 1025R and now on the 2025R. The 2025R is especially wide open.

Ralph

Yeah, I get that it's easier the cleaner it is to begin with. I'm questioning physical accessibility. I take it blasting a bunch of air as best you can between the fan blades, inside the shroud is what folks are doing.

I guess I need to get one or two of those air tanks to fill and take along on client jobs.

 

[coffeeman]

OK ... I've read this thread and others. A different radiator is prolly the best answer. Until then though ...

I completely get why a radiator should be cleaned from the inside. How the heck do you do that without removing the radiator?! With the shroud and fan I don't see how to get very much done. Are you guys actually removing the radiator every few hours?

Hi Bob.....I just came in from grass cutting. The temp running up near peg. just read to search old info and here it is.. Had a leak in rad few yrs ago. To the rad shop and back with tractor always running at way lower temp. Now again starting to run hot.

I wonder if an electric temperature controlled fan added to front would make difference? Also, I still have battery in front of radiator. I'v heard some make a new place for it.

Cheers...Coffeeman