Do vented hoods prolong engine lifespan?

[California]

Air cooled is acceptable technology when properly engineered. Here's a photo of an Eicher farm tractor that must be in the 50hp class at least. Its maybe twice the weight of a MF35.

And the thread where I described the photo.

 

[Vigilant]

The pre-2014 X500 hoods have large open vents on each side of the hood that run the entire length of the hood. I'm sure the little vents in the top of the hood let out a little bit of heat but I doubt it has any effect on actual engine temperature. Keep in mind that inside the hood is a plastic cowl that only allows air to flow from the flywheel fan.

Where the little vents may have a bit of effect is when you park the tractor after use. The top vents would allow more air to rise out of the engine compartment. During the summer when it is really hot, I always open my hood when I park the tractor in the garage to better allow the heat trapped under the hood to escape quickly.

Thanks for the input. I'll take your word for it, but I opened the hood on my 2007 X500 to see where it vents, but I could not see where the open area above and below the yellow strip could vent from inside the engine compartment. Am I missing something?

 

[two_bit_score]

The ZTRs sold for commercial use have no hoods over the engines. Is that to help keep the engines that are sometimes running for many hours at a time cooler? Are the hoods on lawn tractors functional or just cosmetic because not having a hood on a lawn tractor would look ‘odd’?

 

[5030]

From what I have read, an air cooled Kawasaki lawn tractor engine, with proper maintenance, should run at least 2000 hours before anything major goes wrong. That's all I need. For me, a liquid cooled engine would just be more of a pain in the *** to maintain. I should still be able to mow my .9 acre lawn to age 87 or so. During that time, I would put an estimated 1200 hours on a mower. 2000 hours is plenty for me, and I suspect the engine and trans would still be running strong with proper care and maintenance including Mobil 1 full synthetic engine oil and transmission service every 200 hours or so at our local John Deere dealership. They have won my loyalty, and I recommend them to others.

While I'm not impressed with John Deere anything, I will say the Kawasaki 26 horse vertical V twin in my zero turn (not JD) lawnmower is at 1200 hours and runs like a top. Set the overhead myself every 250 meter hours (takes about 15 minutes), change the oil every fall and run good fresh gas in it. Still has the original plugs. Uses no oil but is a pig on gas...lol

My wife also has her own zero turn with a Kohler V twin. Burns oil and I don't expect it to last even 1000 hours. Will be getting a Predator when it pukes.

My first hand experience tells me the Kaw is a good motor, the Kohler isn't.

ooops, better add I change my Hydro-Gear pump oil and filters every other year.

 

[5030]

Air cooled is acceptable technology when properly engineered. Here's a photo of an Eicher farm tractor that must be in the 50hp class at least. Its maybe twice the weight of a MF35.

And the thread where I described the photo.

Air cooled is very acceptable for a medium duty fatm tractor. Have a buddy with a Deutz 4 cylinder air cooled utility tractor than runs and runs. Only issue with an air cooled motor is they are noiser than a water jacketed engine.

 

[jgayman]

Thanks for the input. I'll take your word for it, but I opened the hood on my 2007 X500 to see where it vents, but I could not see where the open area above and below the yellow strip could vent from inside the engine compartment. Am I missing something?

You are correct. The big vents on the side are above the black cowl inside the hood. My point was the little vents on top of the newer hoods are also above the cowl and also only vent the air that comes from the flywheel fan. Below are some photos I took of my X500 this morning. One is showing the view looking in one of the side vents.

 

[Kish318420]

That design is to draw clean, cool air for the engine with allows the carb to draw it in for combustion and then sit via the engine tins to cool the engine and force it out the front cooling the muffler also.

 

[Vigilant]

You are correct. The big vents on the side are above the black cowl inside the hood. My point was the little vents on top of the newer hoods are also above the cowl and also only vent the air that comes from the flywheel fan. Below are some photos I took of my X500 this morning. One is showing the view looking in one of the side vents.

Thanks for the photos. I just opened the hood on mine and shined a light up in the air duct. I see what you mean now. I had my heart set on finding a low-hour '14 or '15 because of the "improved" hood, but the only benefit I can see now would be the "newer" look. Again, I thank you.