Hot Hoggin', or "i think i killed the tractor!"

ning · Jul 6, 2019

So last year I picked up a rotary cutter (LP RCR1260) almost new at an auction. It was missing the top link attachment, and I finally got around to putting it together and tried it out today .

Let me tell you, coming from only using a riding lawn mower, this rotary is just amazing how quietly and quickly it cuts!

I was having so much fun... I forgot to watch the temperature gauge.

First there was a bunch of steam. Oh, s***, **** it down. Key off, engine stops. Steam noises, a little gurgling. Ok. Then, *bang*!, and lots more gurgling, coolant all over.

I waited about a minute and then popped the hood. The coolant overflow had lost its lid and was sitting on the battery... strange. That's not what caused the noise.

The top of the radiator ruptured - I've never seen that in my sheltered life. The cap of the radiator was still in place (on the broken radiator top).

I'm hoping it's not too tough to remove the radiator - my first glance makes it look simple, a few bolts on the front, disconnect the hoses, remove the shroud (presumably?), and lift it out?

Does this look like something a radiator shop can repair (replace the top), or do I need a new radiator?

TL;DR - when hogging, watch the temperature gauge, or your fun will come to a rapid end.

aczlan · Jul 6, 2019

Re: Hot Hoggin', or "i think i killed the tractor!"

That's impressive, I would probably contact your dealer and see what they want for a new radiator. Many (most?) radiator shops will not be overly interested in rebuilding a radiator with plastic and tanks.
Be sure to replace the cap on the top of the radiator that is likely what failed. It is supposed to allow coolant to exit the radiator and go into the overflow bottle when it gets too much pressure. It appears that in your case it did not allow coolant to exit and so the top blew off of the radiator.

The other thing you want to do on occasion (once you get your new radiator in) is to blow the chaff, dirt and other crud out of the fins on the radiator so that you can get enough air flow through to cool off the tractor.

On the old radiator, once you get it out see if you can see through the fins of the radiator or if they are plugged up with crud.

Aaron Z

LouNY · Jul 6, 2019

Sorry to see that, most shops around here won't even look at the plastic tanked radiators.
That is going to be expensive I'm afraid.
One thing I try not to do is shut down an overheated engine, reduce the load then let it run at a fast idle (half speed),
try cooling by using externally applied water or an air hose to remove dirt and chaff.
Shutting down a hot engine stops the water circulation and lets the engine build up heat in the water jacket till it boils and generates steam and pressure.

ning · Jul 6, 2019

Yeah, I realized that after I realized what had happened. Unfortunately at the time I wasn't certain that it was steam, and I was in fairly dry grass and freaked out (brilliant, if it was fire, driving further into the cut area would've probably been wiser too).

I'll check with a local radiator shop in town (good luck I know, small area, do we even still have a radiator shop?) on Monday, and contact my dealer / try to find a replacement.

At least the radiator came out easily enough (it put up a bit of a fight but not too bad) and I won't have to pay labor!

BertZegers · Jul 6, 2019

Replace the thermostat too, it might be out of specs after the hot adventure, and maybe is was not working correct in the first place. Check the belt. After the new radiator is in place, run the tractor and check for air bubbles in the radiator (if it has a cap) or in the reservoir.
Was the implement too big for the tractor?

ning · Jul 7, 2019

BertZegers said:
Replace the thermostat too, it might be out of specs after the hot adventure, and maybe is was not working correct in the first place. Check the belt. After the new radiator is in place, run the tractor and check for air bubbles in the radiator (if it has a cap) or in the reservoir.
Was the implement too big for the tractor?

The implement (5' rotary) is a fine size (35hp engine / 29hp pto). The tractor would handle 6' nicely. The cutting was not high intensity either (30" grass and some blackberries).

The overheating is almost definitely my fault of not paying attention to chaff buildup on the radiator screen (... there was a lot where it wasn't washed off by the splashing coolant).

ericm979 · Jul 7, 2019

Wow, that's the first time I've heard of the end tank coming off like that. I'm glad it was only the radiator not the engine.

Slowpoke Slim · Jul 7, 2019

Oh man, I'm really sorry to hear this. It does seem that your radiator cap didn't vent pressure like it's designed to do. I do try to stop my tractor periodically and blow out the chaff, because with the tight cores and fins of today's coolers/radiators, it does plug them up rather quickly.

I would see if a radiator shop can just make you a new one from scratch, using your existing one as a template. It should still come in cheaper than a new factory replacement, and you can get one made with aluminum tanks instead of plastic.

Just my 2 cents, but good luck.

ruffdog · Jul 7, 2019

ericm979 said:
I'm glad it was only the radiator not the engine.

If the OP gets by with only the radiator/cap/thermostat replacement to repair this, he will have dodged a bullet. Engines do not like to be overheated and a cracked head or head gasket leak may still be lurking.