What is the advantage of the forward cooling design? I have never understood that. I do know when International decided on using forward cooling for Ag tractors they went bankrupt.
Great question. International went b.k. for other reasons.. But forward cooling of the engine compartment is a big plus in my opinion . . For several reasons:
1. It pushes the heat of the engine away from you instead of aimng it at the operator. Aur flow us pushed forwardvand to the front sides instead of at the operator.
2. Cleanliness. The 2 dirtiest place on a tractor re at the very front and at the very back. So when dust and dirt are in front with traditional cooling . . You pul lall that dust and dirt and and diesel fumes right into the engie comprtment and then at the operator. But with front cooling air comes fromthe center of the tractor which has far less dust and dirt. As a result the air cleaner has less work to do . . the engine and other items get less dust and dirt accumulation . . and an operator like myself stays much cleaner.
3. Sinuses and allergies. Being outside is being outside and nothing changes that. But as an operator . . I don't want to be the target of the dirty exhaust or in the dirt air flow. Its very noiceable if I grass cut with my water cooled lawn tractor that has traditional air flow compared to cuttig on th same day with my massey gc1715. How noticeable ? In kleenex apearance . . In the mirror looking at my face . . On my shirt.
4. The screen before the radiator is much less grass or leaf filled with front flow compaired to traditional.
There is a small amount of tractor builders that use front flow cooling . . But also some of the best and most durable too.
1. Iseki the builders of tractors andvengines for numerous Massey products for 30 years.
2. Kubota in all their BX products.
3. Yanmar in their own tractors like the sc2400 series and numerus others.
I had a friend want to argue with me that exhaust and engine flow all hits "the same air". This was a very weak and ill thought out point on his part because he like myself were/are motorcyclers. So all I had to do is ask him what was the difference when he rode with a windshield on compared to no windshield. Then he said it was a redirection BUT not a barrier. Then it dawned on him the error of his own answer . . Front flow cooling just like a windshield redirects the air AWAY from the operator and engine AND outward away the tractor dynamic . . It it both forward and out to the side so it isn't aimed at you and the tractor.
Big difference in operator comfort except for one thing . . In winter it doesn't blow hot air at you . . However it reduces the snow hitting you to some extent lol.