Radiator care

[Smokeydog]

2013 Kubota M59 with 1460 hours. First coolant change. Old coolant had some whitish color while flushing. Did several plain water flushes bring each up to operating temperature and getting diminishing color. Inspection of core looking down from radiator cap opening looked clear. Cleaned overflow tank. Thin layer of gunk on bottom.

Added bottle of Peak radiator cleaner/flush and water. Per instructions operated 3-6 hours at operating temp over several days time. Drained and again flushed with water several times. Not much color or solids seen. Core looked about the same.

One flush with distilled water.

Added fresh coolant diluted with distilled water. Coolant says it’s good for 10years or 300,000miles.

Know this contrary to Kubota 2year coolant replacement maintenance schedule. Wondering if improved coolant formulas could extend coolant life while protecting the engine? Flushing like I did does take considerable time over several days.

Can’t tell any difference in operating temperature but it’s been hot and humid.

 

[5030]

Tractor and automobiles are 2 different things. Me, I stick with the 2 year flush and refill. Coolant is cheap anyway.

 

[Tinhack]

Did you clean the outside too? That made a HUGE difference in the temps I saw afterward. I had my radiator out of the Ford while restoring. I made it a point to spray it with a cleaner and let it soak. I used a soft "bench brush" to clean between the fins. I was amazed at all the caked-on dirt that came out of it during the brushing and rinsing. It was visibly more open. The Ford will run at thermostat temp all day now. It shows pretty low on the temp gauge. I haven't seen it hit the red even with chaff on the grill.

 

[2manyrocks]

A little East TN moonshine probably clean the outside right off.

 

[Smokeydog]

Didn’t have any overheating problems. Regularly have to clean radiators and oil coolers exterior with Radiator Genie tools. Sometimes every day when fall mowing. Yes, a radiator can hold tremendous amount of hidden dirt.

 

[jyoutz]

Did you clean the outside too? That made a HUGE difference in the temps I saw afterward. I had my radiator out of the Ford while restoring. I made it a point to spray it with a cleaner and let it soak. I used a soft "bench brush" to clean between the fins. I was amazed at all the caked-on dirt that came out of it during the brushing and rinsing. It was visibly more open. The Ford will run at thermostat temp all day now. It shows pretty low on the temp gauge. I haven't seen it hit the red even with chaff on the grill.

Amazon.com

 

[Thomas]

Also check air filter if running hot.

 

[5030]

Didn’t have any overheating problems. Regularly have to clean radiators and oil coolers exterior with Radiator Genie tools. Sometimes every day when fall mowing. Yes, a radiator can hold tremendous amount of hidden dirt.

That also applies to your car or truck as well. I've seen some downright fugly radiators and ac heat exchangers on motor vehicles. When I was our buggies, I make an effort to hose out the rads and ac heat exchangers as well.

 

[rScotty]

I spray from the back side using a garden nozzle set on soft spray, an old soft brush, and dish soap... at least that's the go to kit for most everything with a radiator. I don't recall if I can get to the M59 that way. It's been a lot of years since I did anything to the M59 radiator except check coolant. Maybe this year.....

 

[jyoutz]

I spray from the back side using a garden nozzle set on soft spray, an old soft brush, and dish soap... at least that's the go to kit for most everything with a radiator. I don't recall if I can get to the M59 that way. It's been a lot of years since I did anything to the M59 radiator except check coolant. Maybe this year.....

The radiator genie product that I posted allows you to spray out the radiator from the backside in tight areas like most tractor engine compartments.

 

[Tinhack]

The radiator genie product that I posted allows you to spray out the radiator from the backside in tight areas like most tractor engine compartments.

I have a long air nozzle similar to your example. That's really not enough. Dew can form on the radiator overnight and if you hit the field(s), the dew collects dust and dries hard while running. I always blew mine out after cutting but that doesn't remove the caked-on dirt. And that typically doesn't get into the corners where the fan shroud covers.

 

[Smokeydog]

Tractor and automobiles are 2 different things. Me, I stick with the 2 year flush and refill. Coolant is cheap anyway.

Your practice and tractors with many hours speaks well for Kubota’s recommendation. I do better with all the fuel, air, oil maintenance recommendations. Coolant changes in all my vehicles have been extended past the manufacturer’s recommendation with no ill effect. 5X past is probably too much. My BIL has a 40+ year old little Kubota with original coolant!

Jay Leno was asked what maintenance was most important for his vast collection? Switching from water ethylene glycol coolant to waterless type coolant like Evans. Pricey but cost effective in the long run. Many parts for his cars are no longer made justify the conversion. Another benefit is the cooling system doesn’t have to be pressurized like with water based coolant so potential for leaks is less. No water no corrosion.

 

[jyoutz]

I have a long air nozzle similar to your example. That's really not enough. Dew can form on the radiator overnight and if you hit the field(s), the dew collects dust and dries hard while running. I always blew mine out after cutting but that doesn't remove the caked-on dirt. And that typically doesn't get into the corners where the fan shroud covers.

The set I showed has both an air nozzle and water hose attachment.

 

[2manyrocks]

Does it make a difference in radiator debris whether you cut with the bucket up or down? I tend to think that the bucket knocks stuff off the vegetation that is then free to float to the radiator, but wonder what others think about it.

 

[5030]

I take my bucket off entirely. Been my experience that the bucket pushes over the vegitation and when it spring back, the loose stuff gets sucked into the radiator, which is why I carry a cordless blower in the cab with me and blow the rad and air to air cooler out often.

 

[rScotty]

I take my bucket off entirely. Been my experience that the bucket pushes over the vegitation and when it spring back, the loose stuff gets sucked into the radiator, which is why I carry a cordless blower in the cab with me and blow the rad and air to air cooler out often.

So do I. As a bonus, reducing the loose stuff and better visibility will give 2manyrocks and any others a good excuse to put a QA on the FEL bucket. If they don't already have it.

 

[5030]

So do I. As a bonus, reducing the loose stuff and better visibility will give 2manyrocks and any others a good excuse to put a QA on the FEL bucket. If they don't already have it.

SOP for me. Always has been.

 

[5030]

Dew can form on the radiator overnight and if you hit the field(s), the dew collects dust and dries hard while running.

I'd have to disagree with that actually. In the summer months (at least with me), my thermostat is open and the radiator is hot, long before I ever get in the field plus I always warm up the tractors before moving them anyway. I check the fluid levels, kick the tires and then fire them up and allow the fluids to circulate prior to moving them.... and kick on the AC as well. I like a cool cab versus a hot one.

 

[jyoutz]

I take my bucket off entirely. Been my experience that the bucket pushes over the vegitation and when it spring back, the loose stuff gets sucked into the radiator, which is why I carry a cordless blower in the cab with me and blow the rad and air to air cooler out often.

I think that’s a good idea, but I tend to leave my bucket on because I’m always finding limbs and things that I want to pickup and take to the burn pile.

 

[5030]

Non issue with me as I either own or lease the fields and I always walk the perimeter prior to cutting, especially where their are property owners next to them. Seems as though adjacent property owners have no respect for land they don't own. I always get their trash on the borders which I throw back on their property.

Think I mentioned it before but one of the leased fields, the adjacent property owner actually dug a hole for a BBQ pit in the field and the property owner (not me) took the clown to court and he had to remediate the issue at his own expense plus reseed it. People today are either stupid or ignorant or both.