Ford 4500 trans is running Hot

[City Farmer]

Hi guys.
I hooked up the BH to the 4500. Running at 2000rpm I started digging. The trans is getting so hot after 15min I can't even touch the filter. It doesn't wanna move until it cools for a minute or 2. After it cools, everything is good and drives like it should. It has the Power reversing transmission in it.

The engine was getting hot a few weeks ago and I noticed the radiator hose collapsing. I drained/replaced the antifreeze and installed a spring. The antifreeze that came out tested and looked ok. The engine gets hot but not into the red anymore.

I only want to take this thing apart once so I ordered a new radiator from NH.
Would you guys replace the water pump and thermostat while your in there?

On the up side, this old tractor can dig! I'm still getting use to the 4 stick controls but I ditched (75') 3' deep in about 45min. The 24" bucket is about all it wants.
Andy

 

[Jerry/MT]

Hi guys.
I hooked up the BH to the 4500. Running at 2000rpm I started digging. The trans is getting so hot after 15min I can't even touch the filter. It doesn't wanna move until it cools for a minute or 2. After it cools, everything is good and drives like it should. It has the Power reversing transmission in it.

The engine was getting hot a few weeks ago and I noticed the radiator hose collapsing. I drained/replaced the antifreeze and installed a spring. The antifreeze that came out tested and looked ok. The engine gets hot but not into the red anymore.

I only want to take this thing apart once so I ordered a new radiator from NH.
Would you guys replace the water pump and thermostat while your in there?

On the up side, this old tractor can dig! I'm still getting use to the 4 stick controls but I ditched (75') 3' deep in about 45min. The 24" bucket is about all it wants.
Andy

Before you start throwing parts at it, you might want to consider doing some analysis of the problem!

You say the radiator hose was collapsing. If it was the lower hose, there should be a spring like device in the hose to keep that from happening due to the water pump suction. you checked for that and found it wasn't there so you put one in and the cooling improved. Good for you. Changing coolant won't help that problem.

Is the air side of the radiator core clogged? Pretty common when any machine that works in a dirty environment. If the air can't get through the rad then the coolant won't get cooled and if you have a radiator contained oil cooler for the tranny, the tranny oil will get hotter than it's supposed to. Blow the air side out with air or a low pressure water hose when the engine is cold. Might save you the cost of a new radiator.

Check the water pump drive belt for slipping, and make sure the radiator cap has the correct pressure rating for your machine. Check to make sure it's working., or replace it -they're cheap.

Make sure it has the correct thermostat and test it to make sure it's opening properly.

Check the air filter to make sure it isn't clogged. this can cause high peak temps in the cylinders and lead to overheating.

 

[City Farmer]

Jerry, I did do some trouble shooting before I asked the question. Radiator & air cleaner is clean as a whistle. The OEM lower hose doesn't come with a spring in it but this hose is pliable. If I remember right, it collapsed with the cap off but I'll double check today. I know changing the coolant won't fix anything but I wasn't putting the old stuff back in. This is the first time I've worked this machine hard.

Before you start throwing parts at it, you might want to consider doing some analysis of the problem!

You say the radiator hose was collapsing. If it was the lower hose, there should be a spring like device in the hose to keep that from happening due to the water pump suction. you checked for that and found it wasn't there so you put one in and the cooling improved. Good for you. Changing coolant won't help that problem. Pump belt is good, just put a new generator on it.

Is the air side of the radiator core clogged? Pretty common when any machine that works in a dirty environment. If the air can't get through the rad then the coolant won't get cooled and if you have a radiator contained oil cooler for the tranny, the tranny oil will get hotter than it's supposed to. Blow the air side out with air or a low pressure water hose when the engine is cold. Might save you the cost of a new radiator.

Check the water pump drive belt for slipping, and make sure the radiator cap has the correct pressure rating for your machine. Check to make sure it's working., or replace it -they're cheap.

Make sure it has the correct thermostat and test it to make sure it's opening properly.

Check the air filter to make sure it isn't clogged. this can cause high peak temps in the cylinders and lead to overheating.