3010 Operating Temp

dkalmoe · Mar 31, 2003

I purchased my L3010 last fall so almost all of the hours have been at low temps. I have a block heater that I have been using when it has been real cold. We have not had a lot of snow this winter so much of the use has been moving round bales, piling up some brush and windfall trees in addition to clearing some snow. My question has to do with the indicated temp on the guage. I generally let the tractor warm up about 10-20 minutes depending on how cold it is. The temp guage moves halfway between the far left line and the very next line. The tractor runs just fine, but this seems a little low. My only other experience with a diesel was a Massey Harris 44 that we had on the farm a long time ago. It had a mechanical shutter that you closed to let it warm up, but once warmed up and working it ran a lot hotter, at least on the guage, than the 3010. Also, one other question regarding the mid-pto. Is it supposed to come with a cover? The manual shows one, mine did not. Thanks for the help. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

MDNick · Mar 31, 2003

dkalmoe,

I purchased my L3010 in Sept of 2001. My regular operating temp is about what you describe. Keep in mind, every gauge is different. Your memory of the Massey was probably fine for that tractor, and your temp of the L3010 is fine for that tractor, and while the needle location may be different, the actual temp may be exactly the same. I prefer a temp readout, but at least a gauge is better than an idiot light. Use the warmed up location of the needle as a baseline, and be worried when it changes significantly. Usual cause is dust, etc on the grill/screen/radiator. I ran an L2850 at a golf course. When brush hogging, it would really heat up. Clean off the grill, let it cool for 15 minutes, and go back at it.

As for the mid pto, yep, mine came with a cover. It should have one, a bolt on steel thing. Mine has never been off.

Hope I have helped.

BobinCols · Mar 31, 2003

My 3010 acted the same as yours as far as the temperature reading low. Bought it new and always read low even when outside temperature was in the 90's.. Should have a mid mount pto cover.

markie61 · Mar 31, 2003

You know, Class III Boomers from NH have a constant issue with running cool. Everyone was reporting their guage read just under the green/operating area. Turns out the coolant was bypassing the thermostat thru a drain hose and they DO run cool (a fix has been found).

The point is...it needs to be checked out. Over in the NH forum, the advice is to run the engine for a while (like an hour.) Then feel the radiator hose. You should not be able to comfortably place your hand for any length on the hose. If you can, the engine is probably running too cool, which apparently can damage a diesel long-term. If you can't keep your hand on the hose, the it is probably the nature of the guage/sending unit.

Mark

Bird · Mar 31, 2003

My B2710 temperature gauge always stayed low; maybe a quarter of the way up. Whenever it got to the halfway mark (and that was only when brush hogging weeds and grass), I knew it was time to stop and clean off the debris on the radiator screen and grill. And that was true even when the ambient temperature was near 100.

boustany · Apr 1, 2003

I have a 3010 HST and posted the same question soon after I got it. The answer seems to be that the gage stays pretty low, even when the engine is fully warmed up. Kind of like those gas gages that go from half full to almost empty in one gallon. You should be OK.

An I would make sure the mid-PTO is covered, or it'll rust to heck.

kevincook · Apr 1, 2003

I have an L3010 also and the temperature never gets very warm. I think I have only seen it get to the midway mark once when I was rototilling sod when it was 95 degrees out.

The cover for my mid PTO was in the toolbox behind the seat. Until the mechanic told me to look there I didn't even know I had a built in toolbox.

Good Luck,
Kevin

BobinCols · Apr 1, 2003

Yes, the TC Boomer's did have the bypass problem but this is not the problem on the 3010, the gauge reads low.

grandad · Apr 1, 2003

Pretty much the same with my 4610, which acts just like Bird's 2710. Watch the temp periodically during long hours of operation, particularly in warm weather, and you'll know when to de-bug the radiator or if something else needs attention.

dkalmoe · Apr 2, 2003

Thanks for the replies. I feel better about the operating temp. I am going to send my dealer an e-mail about the pto cover to see what happened to that. I found this forum just after buying my tractor. I continue to be impressed with the level of knowledge, willingness of folks to share their experience and respectful nature of the participants.