Tractor OVERHEATING Mystery...

[genusCastor]

Re: Tractor OVERHEATING Mystery,,,

With the extreme Texas heat (heat indexes beyond 110F) I'm not surprised when my tractor runs hot if it's during one of the heat waves. But I learned something one day...

In the past I would often clean the radiator protective screen on my Mahindra. The radiator fins themselves never looked dirty, but for some reason one time I blew some compressed air from the engine side and was surprised (shocked?) at the amount of dust that blew out the front. The fins had quite a bit of dust embedded but it didn't look like it from a visual inspection. Needless to say I noticed it ran cooler afterwards that day. So now this is a routine thing I do.

- djb

 

[Ford850]

Re: Tractor OVERHEATING Mystery,,,

My first guess would be fine dust/dirt built up deep between the fines. But my GH mowers' radiators are both being taxed these past few weeks. They are both clean but when mowing my normal lawn areas, in the heat and humidity, they temp is up in the 'green' but close to the top. I don't know if I have ever seen it go that high, but has on both mowers this past month. My DX55 while running the rotary in heavy weeds and grass is requiring extra attention too, needing a pit stop hourly to blow the radiator clean so it has full capacity.

 

[D2Cat]

Re: Tractor OVERHEATING Mystery,,,

Many folks think their radiator is clean because they blew off the chaff and everything visible. Really need to spray some "Purple Power" or similar cleaner on the fins and let it set for 10 minutes, then rinse off. When the material gets on the fins it requires soaking to get it ALL off.

 

[1010]

Re: Tractor OVERHEATING Mystery,,,

Being an older tractor a water pump might not be a bad thing to replace, if you change the thermostat.. I have seen machines run hot that didn't have a 50/50 mixture too.. Almost pure AF probably.
I'm guessing the air cleaner is good too..

 

[CalG]

Re: Tractor OVERHEATING Mystery,,,

The hot weather may have passed, so "fixing" the overheating issue may have passed with it. But.....

You might try a 90:10 water to anti-freeze ratio during these troubles. Water is about 20% better heat transfer medium than the anti-freeze is.

Just don't forget to switch to a stronger mix before freezing weather hits. (if it does where you are) If you don't see temps below about 25F, You should NEVER need to mix stronger than 80:20. There will be no corrosion issues at that ratio either.

 

[Oldpath05]

Re: Tractor OVERHEATING Mystery,,,

If radiator is clean on out and inside then over heating would be caused by thermostat and or water pump. Sometime the radiator cap can be taken off and watch as the tractor warms up, should be able to see the coolant moving and as you rev the rpm's up the coolant should move faster and lowered as the thermostat opens.

 

[CADplans]

Re: Tractor OVERHEATING Mystery,,,

WOW, 10 foot flail on a 52 PTO hp tractor is asking a LOT especially since 4L according to tractor data is right at 5mph im surprised it hasnt overheated before now

we run 2 to 3 mph tops iwth 100+ hp tractors in CRP on 15 foot batwings mowing at 10 to 12 inches and the 105 white overheats at 3mph and we have to gear down to 2.2 on it to get it to cool down

I think that lil 584 is running its heart out for you

The JD 390 flail mower is a 10+ year old mower that is 8 feet wide,,, yea, some times it pulls really hard,,

I would not doubt that the 584 is going more than 5 MPH in 4L,, the 4WD version seems to be geared faster than the 2WD version,,

We have clocked the tractor several times on paved road,, in high gear,, it travels considerably faster than specified!!

 

[RickB]

Re: Tractor OVERHEATING Mystery,,,

Buildup on the inside of the radiator tubes will inhibit heat transfer before it inhibits coolant flow enough to notice.

 

[zzvyb6]

Re: Tractor OVERHEATING Mystery,,,

Is the motor really overheating, or does it get vapor locked? Is a fuel filter clogged just enough or is the tank vacuum locked, After a few minutes all these symptoms would disappear. 10% over normal temperature seems like it should be OK.

 

[CADplans]

Re: Tractor OVERHEATING Mystery,,,

Is the motor really overheating, or does it get vapor locked? Is a fuel filter clogged just enough or is the tank vacuum locked, After a few minutes all these symptoms would disappear. 10% over normal temperature seems like it should be OK.

The engine overheated, it even forced a pint of antifreeze out of the overflow (onto the shop floor) as I drove into the shed.

I think I am going to have to believe I was just pushing the 584 a little too hard,,,
I have run a half dozen tractors near overheating conditions in the past, but, they were all big John Deere machines.
This IH is very different,, I guess all machines act a little different,,

It is supposed to rain a lot tomorrow, I think I may check a few more things so that I know I am not abusing the old girl,,,