04 Kubota 3830 HST overheating

[treenerd]

Hope someone recognizes this problem - I read an earlier post about a much older Kubota with a very similar problem. My 3830 has less than 400 hours on it.

It just started overheating after using the bushhog for less than 2 hours in normal circumstances. Tested the thermostat - it appears to be good. The hoses appear to be in good shape. No leaking from the water pump. Temps registering from the radiator core after 10 minutes of idling were 118, and after an additional 15 minutes of bushhogging, 160. Engine temps at valve cover at idle were 108, after 15 minutes of use, 190. All seems normal. Yet after 15 minutes of load usage, the temp gauge was one notch shy of overheating.

In the other post, the thought was that there was a bad sensor. How can I check this? Where the heck are the sensors? I only have the manual received at purchase, not a service manual.

Appreciate any advice - I am pretty new to tractors and even though I do all my own maintenance, repairs are a pretty big stretch for me.

Treenerd

 

[geneP]

Have your cleaned the fins on the radiator? Run water or air through the fins in the opposite direction that the fan pulls the air. It is common for seeds, weeds, etc to get in the fins and reduce air flow.

 

[JakeBrake]

Have your cleaned the fins on the radiator? Run water or air through the fins in the opposite direction that the fan pulls the air. It is common for seeds, weeds, etc to get in the fins and reduce air flow.

I agree. My '05 L3830 has a removable screen in front of the radiator. When bush hogging dry weeds late in the season, the screen can become completely clogged with crud which will cause the tractor to overheat. The screen must be cleaned frequently and in addition the radiator fins should be washed out at every opportunity. I have learned to keep a close watch on the temperature gauge. My gauge is digital. When more than four bars appear, it's time to clean the screen.

 

[treenerd]

I do clean the screen regularly, but I admit I've never cleaned the radiator fins. They're probably really clogged by now. That should correct the problem. Thanks!

GeneP, I agree with your watching the digital bars on the temp gauge and stopping to clean the screen at 4. That's a good policy I think I'll adopt.

 

[Farmerford]

My L4330 clogs the radiator screen very quickly if the grass/weeds are a couple feet high or more.

To clean the radiator from the rear is difficult because of the fan and fan shroud, as well as the generally compact design. I took a two foot long 1/4" pipe, put an elbow on one end, then put a square head pipe plug in the elbow after drilling a 3/16 hole through the head of the pipe plug to make a spray wand that discharges at a right angle. If you are using air to clean the radiator, put a quick disconnect on the other end. If you are using water, get a garden hose to pipe adapter. In either case, the "wand" lets you get into most of the nooks and crannies of the backsides of the radiator and hydraulic cooler.