BX2200 temp hitting the red

[5.0 Hatch]

Now that outside temps are hitting the mid 90s, my tractor looks to be running hot. I bought it used so i can't compare it to anything in the past. After about a hour of cutting the needle is touching the red on the gauge. If i shut the mower off and lower it to idle the temp falls to just above halfway.

So my question is do you really think its getting that hot or maybe the gauge is just off? nothing ever boiled over.

btw, all screens and radiator are clean.

 

[salopez]

Are you brush hogging or mowing the lawn? Is the humidity high? and how full is your coolent?

I know when I brush hog my temps rise in the summer, but not mowing the lawn.

 

[5.0 Hatch]

Are you brush hogging or mowing the lawn? Is the humidity high? and how full is your coolent?

I know when I brush hog my temps rise in the summer, but not mowing the lawn.

I'm mowing, and yes humidity is HIGH like 75% and temp is around 93-94 degrees.

My coolant is also full. If this is normal for my conditions then i guess i can stop every 30min. are so to let it cool, but to me thats not acceptable.

 

[Tollster]

Perhaps a flush and refill of the coolant is needed. Be sure all air is purged from the system.
I have a BX23 and am always concerned as my needle never seems to even move off the bottom, if so, rarely does it go past 1/4. Is there any additional drag on the system? I don't want to mention the waterpump, but something just doesn't sound right. I take your are running at full throttle as this will aid in cooling. Also check all your fans ( tranny fan underbelly as well) for obstructions or damage, its been a while since I have been under the hood, but also check any belts as well, if there are any on the waterpump or fan.

 

[RonR]

Ooops, saw that you've checked the screens and they are clean.

I'd flush and see if that helps.

Mine never has run hot on 100* days and heavy use.

ron

 

[mjarrels]

Check the back of the radiator... screens may be clean but with the reverse air flow the back of the radiation can collect alot of trash and is hard to see.

mark

 

[johnk]

Make sure the radiator cap is making a seal allowing it to pressurize.

 

[HomeBrew2]

Any chance the radiator is full of 100% antifreeze, instead of 50-50 mix? Not sure if that would account for all the heat though.

 

[SeymourBota]

Last summer, my 2200 (525 hours) would hit the same spot on very hot days when I was mowing. I just kept an eye on it to make sure it didn't land solidly in the red zone and there were no ill effects.
I do run Amsoil full synthetic oil, so I'm not as worried about high temps.

The other option is to sharpen the blades and tone the RPM down a bit.

 

[KPatrick470]

I also have a BX2200 (200 model) with chronic overheating during mowing with the 60-inch mower. I run at approximately 3/4 throttle, PLENTY of air moving thru the radiator, which is clean (verified by local Rad shop), and screens are closely watched and cleaned during the mowing process, sometimes every 15 minutes in "seedy" cutting. Bought it used last Dec, 640 hours. Determined it had a blown head gasket, confirmed and repaired in Late May. Still overheats in about 45 minutes of mowing over 90 degrees ambient temp. Replaced stat with 195 unit, merely postponed the problem. New 13 lb cap. 50% mix in coolant, and added SuperCool (which made a small difference (slower temp rise). Inserted thermometer in stat output line, Climbs to stat temp and hovers for a bit, then climbs slowly to 245, where it starts blowing into the coolant overflow tank (and I shut down). Tranny fan clean and working fine. Oil change every 100 hours. Now has 790 hours. Grass depth may have a small decreasing effect on the time it takes to overheat.

I've fabricated an PVC expansion tank holding 2.5 more gallons of coolant, inserting it into the cooling loop from the thermostat output, thru the new "tank", and out into the radiator. Mowed three hours today in 108 degree heat, and it stayed at thermostat temp.

Possibility: 3.5 quarts is NOT enough coolant to cool this diesel in the hot summer climate. Did Kubota offer a severe weather package for it? Have they improved cooling in the later models? If so, can the changes be retrofitted?

Possibility: Radiator (two tube) is insufficient to cool this moter in 90+ degree temps. (Would be hard to believe, but the most likely problem). Does Kubota offer an upgraded radiator (like one from the BX2660) that will fit this tractor? Is there an aftermarket radiator that promises better cooling than the stupid plastic-tanked vertical flow one they've fitted? I have a quote of over $1000 (!) to have a new, custom, three-tube copper and aluminum unit made to order.

Possibility: D905 engine might be running lean, which would make it run hot. Is there a way to check this without spending $500 (or increments thereof) at the official Kubota dealer?

Possibility: Fan is too slow for high-temp applications. Is there a smaller pully available from Kubota or aftermarket?

My Fab looks kinda kludgey, but it works. Perhaps Kubota would like to feature it on their sales brochure cover?