Overheated my LS XR4140hc while bush hogging. Should I worry about long term effects?

[bulldog81]

The buzzers were tried long ago, Owners would call the dealer and complain about the annoying noise. "It must be a failed bearing or worse".
People just will NOT read the f%%king manual, they won't watch the gauges, and they haven't got a clue as to how an engine cools it's self.

But as long as they sign the papers and make the payments, THAT IS PERFECTLY OK! ;-)

I've understand I was ignorant. Mistakes were made. I meant to read the manual sooner but I just got a place on 20 acres in March and have a thousand things to do. I read it pretty thoroughly and understand I should have let it idle. Ithe is my first diesel of any kind. I've had all manner of mowers, atv'so, boats, as. It took me by surprise as I never thought it would be so easy to overheat the thing so I was not prepared with the knowledge I should have had.

I have throughly cleaned out the radiator, oil cooler, etc with my air compressor and leaf blower. I just hope I didn't do any long term damage

 

[Bavarian]

Just in case, I would change the motor oil. It might have done some damage to it.
Watch out for leaks in the next few hour of operation. You might have burnt a seal.
I assume the engine is running now like it was before. If she cranks and starts easy after sitting a day or two, I'd say the head gasket is ok.

 

[N80]

I've understand I was ignorant. Mistakes were made. I meant to read the manual sooner but I just got a place on 20 acres in March and have a thousand things to do. I read it pretty thoroughly and understand I should have let it idle. Ithe is my first diesel of any kind. I've had all manner of mowers, atv'so, boats, as. It took me by surprise as I never thought it would be so easy to overheat the thing so I was not prepared with the knowledge I should have had.

I have throughly cleaned out the radiator, oil cooler, etc with my air compressor and leaf blower. I just hope I didn't do any long term damage

Don't beat yourself up. Reading the manual is important but hardly the solution to all problems. My manual is a book length document with tons of info on a very simple tractor. The chance that anyone would remember every protocol and process is very unlikely. And yes, a light or a buzzer would be very easy and very practical. Likewise for the brakes. And this has nothing to do with stupid owners who don't read manuals. It is pure cost saving and nothing more.

And while I agree that letting the engine idle for a moment is the right approach, it is also not the only proper approach. If the engine has overheated because of loss of coolant then running it at idle just increases the heat and chance for damage. Also, there is probably a very narrow window in which shutting it off is going to cause damage that had not occurred before you shut it off. Things would have to be right on the very edge of failure for that to be an issue.

Bottom line is, don't worry about it, it is unlikely that you hurt anything. Live and learn. Next time it happens, let it idle, check radiator screen and check fluid reservoir. If screen clogged, remove and clean. If no fluid, stop engine immediately.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I don't know what is more stupid. Overheating our tractors like the OP and I have done or the people that don't realize that many people own a lot of things. Too many manuals are written like that is your one and only possession.

Besides, too many manuals are a hundred pages of safety/liability BS and the important stuff isn't mentioned at all.

 

[Ford850]

It's not a diesel thing, since a gas engine will overheat in the same situation. But it's a good learning experience for all of us to go through something like this. I had it happen to me on a gas tractor while mowing thistle years ago. I used to occasionally monitor the gauges. but after that day I watch them closely especially when mowing tall stuff.

 

[N80]

Besides, too many manuals are a hundred pages of safety/liability BS and the important stuff isn't mentioned at all.

Agreed. Getting to the real operational stuff can be a real challenge. When I got my tractor I read every word of the manual. Still did stuff wrong. I've read the manual and referred to it many times in the last 12 years. I still get stuff wrong. It is a lot to take in and it is easy to forget. No excuse for not reading it but it won't prevent every stupid thing I can think up or neglect.

Fortunately most of these machines are not delicate. They are made for a certain amount of abuse and have some wiggle room in most parameters. Mine has been near flawless for 12 years and it hasn't been babied and in many cases it has been abused.

Still, a simple red light or something when it is overheating would be nice. Same thing with a brake light. I cannot count how many times I've driven the poor thing around with the brake on.

 

[RSKY]

Who hasn't overheated will bushhogging?

Think of it as a learning experience.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I cut a field once where I had to stop every lap to clean the radiator screen, if I went 2 laps it overheated.

 

[N80]

I find that that deep broom sedge type stuff with the fluffy seeds that fly up is the worst.

 

[sd455dan]

Who hasn't overheated will bushhogging?

Think of it as a learning experience.

As odd as this sounds My Chinese Rhino has Never run hot even when i was brush cutting 4 different properties
between 10 and 30 acres each in near 100 degree heat
1 had thick tansy over the hood and it took over 6 hours using 2 tractors.

my Ford 3000 would start to climb to about 200 degrees and I would have to take a small break, the Rhino would just keep cutting and never break 190 degrees

In the Fords defense it never pushed any water out or acted up in any way.

Starting to wonder if some of these new machines are using barely adequate sized radiators.?. Or Could also be the type of weed/grass /whatever the mower is cutting.?