Engine over heating/radiator problems(4540)

[hadrosaur]

I have A Montana 4540 that I bought in 2003, as new. It is a good stout tractor, and I use/abuse it probably more than Montana had in mind when they sold it to me. I primarily use the tractor for bush hogging my 250 acres of hilly wilderness in Tennessee. My description of mowing a briar patch with 10 foot tall wild blackberries on a hill is easy stuff. I frequently mow fields that are so steep that I must go up and down, instead of around, because the tractor will slide down the hill sideways. Did I mention rocks? My neighbor claims that I am liming my fields when I bush hog.

Here is my problem. The radiator screen, which I must clean every 30 minutes, does not stop the finer fuzz, pollen, and dust that filters through the screen. The result is that the radiator it's self gets clogged up with the fine stuff, and requires a thorough cleaning with a high pressure air hose every 8 hours or so, else the tractor engine runs hot. This vigorous cleaning results in bent fins between the radiator cores, which just complicates the problem.

Let me state that when the radiator is clean, there are no over heating problems.

Is any body aware of higher capacity radiators or filtering devices or options that might address my problem?

I am also contemplating an upgrade from a 5' bush hog to a 6' bush hog, which will put my recommended tractor house power at the maximum level for the bush hog of my choice, which will result in more stress on the tractor's cooling system.

All suggestions are gratefully solicited. The only option not acceptable would be to upgrade to another tractor.

If there is a related thread that addresses this issue, I did not find it, so please let me khow if that is the case.

PS. Yes, I could bush hog earlier in the year, thus avoiding the fine radiator pollution, but then I would run the risk of beheading baby deer and wild turkeys. I did that to a deer a few years ago.The biggest problem was not in disposing 0f the dead fawn, but watching it's mother trying to find it for the next four days. Ouch.

 

[Dallas_Lilly]

I took some fine screen like the kind you would put on a window and zip tied it to the original radiator screen. It helps allot. I still have to clean that screen frequently but am not having to clean the radiator fins nearly as often.

Can you take your radiator screen out easily. On my 3040 the loader brackets get in the way. My only complaint about the tractor is that. It was a really poor design.

 

[JDeerekid]

I have the same problem on my 4340C. Either when tilling dry soil or bush hogging tall grass. The front screen keeps alot the big stuff out but the small pollen and dust particles plug up the radiator bad so it wants to overheat. So at least twice a day I have to stop and take the air cleaner off, then take the front screen out which is a pain just like Dallas Lilly said with the loader bracket in the way. Then get in there with some compress air to blow it out.

The air doesn't seem to mess up the fins but taking that front screen off kind of messed some up.

I did hear someone on here that was taking about putting a 2 direction fan on their tractor to blow the radiator out every so often. Might be something to look in to.

 

[hadrosaur]

Thanks for your friendly responses. The only impediment to removing the radiator screen is the right front tire, but it is not a big deal. With the tractor parked on the right kind of incline to lower the tire, or just turning it all the way to the right works.

Regarding the reversing fans, I am interested. can you provide any additional info?

The use of window screen wire is a good one. I will try that to see if it helps me.

 

[blueriver]

My 4340C does the same thing ... I go to Wal-Mart and buy Furnace filters ....strap one to the front of the radiator screen with two bungie cords ... when the temp gets in the uncomfortable range ... I switch it out.

 

[Tul01]

we have the same thing on our 5740c. the loader bracket is a PITA. I use a section of soft window screen which I hold in place with a bunch of magnets around the outside to seal it up. Just pop the magnets off and slide the screen off to shake it out.

 

[Unclebuck257]

Like Tul01 said, I have the same thing with my 5740C too. In Texas here, it's usually very dry and dusty when I'm mowing my pastures, so it doesn't take very long to clog up the removable screen with pieces of dry weeds, grass, and dust. I too am stopping several times a day and compressor blowing out the A/c, the portable screen and the radiator. I like the suggestion of the furnace screens in front of the removable screen, but I can see me going through a bunch of them by the time I finish mowing my acreage. I'll probably try that though and see.

I've also noticed that the radiator itself, even with the screen and A/C in front of it, get's dirt in it and after a while, the dirt gets caked in between the fins at the very top and very bottom of the radiator.

I'm about to remove the A/C screen and pressure wash the radiator screen itself. We'll see I guess.

 

[Jerry/MT]

Like Tul01 said, I have the same thing with my 5740C too. In Texas here, it's usually very dry and dusty when I'm mowing my pastures, so it doesn't take very long to clog up the removable screen with pieces of dry weeds, grass, and dust. I too am stopping several times a day and compressor blowing out the A/c, the portable screen and the radiator. I like the suggestion of the furnace screens in front of the removable screen, but I can see me going through a bunch of them by the time I finish mowing my acreage. I'll probably try that though and see.

I've also noticed that the radiator itself, even with the screen and A/C in front of it, get's dirt in it and after a while, the dirt gets caked in between the fins at the very top and very bottom of the radiator.

I'm about to remove the A/C screen and pressure wash the radiator screen itself. We'll see I guess.

I would think twice about pressure washing it. The fins on the radiator aren' t too hel for stout.

 

[dry_creek_farm]

Same problem on my 5740C.

I made a device to clean the radiator from the back side. I took a piece of 1/2" PVC , 20 inches long and drilled 1/16" holes about 1 inch apart. All in line at the end of the pipe. Capped the pipe on the end with the holes and then connected a garden hose fitting to the other end.

Loosen the 2 bolts holding the fan shround on the back of the radiator and then give the radiator a good blasting from the back side. The low pressure from the garden hose would have a hard time bending any fins. It takes me about 10 minutes and I usually do this 2 times per season.

 

[Dallas_Lilly]

I tried reversing the fan tonight. I just took it loose and turned it around. MISTAKE it complicated the problem severely. It just tries to blow the junk through the radiator the other way now and clogs. It does not have the cool ambient air too boot.

I mentioned it in an early post and thought I would let everyone know that does not work!