Heat Controls

Sixshooter · Nov 17, 2011

Hello....I'm new to the site today. When we bought our ranch, it came with some machinery, among which is a Branson B30 tractor, which is fairly new and has a Degalman blade which we use to move snow. Well, the problem is that I cannot get heat to the cabin. The only control is set to the Red band which indicates heat, but no heat. The blower works great though.

The manuals that came with the tractor does not mention anything about heat, not even a hint. I cannot locate the heater core physically, but the parts manual does show one as well as a valve.

If anyone has a clue, please help. We have always operated with Deere, so the Branson is a new experience for me. The mornings are a tad on the frosty side here in Montana.

Thanks,

Sixshooter

Glen Watkins · Nov 17, 2011

Sounds like the valve is off. Did you locate the valve?

Sixshooter · Nov 17, 2011

Thanks for the reply....I think I have the valve located, but I did not put my paw on it yet because I had to move snow and did not take the time to check it out. I did not see a way to physically turn it on or off and there is not control from the cabin other than the one I mentioned. The valve could be malfunctioning I suppose.

Glen Watkins · Nov 17, 2011

Cab without heat is almost worse than no cab. Got to have heat!

Sixshooter · Nov 17, 2011

Thanks Glen....yeah, you got that right. The forecast is calling for 18 to 24 inches of snow tonight, so I know what I'll be doing tomorrow. The wind today was terrible and blowing around the snow we had earlier in the week. We did have a shinook most of the day, so the snow and ice melted with that and the 46 temp which means lots of ice tomorrow under the new snow.

Before I take the tractor out of the shop, I am going to check that valve. Obviously it is electrically activated, so I may be able to apply power to it and get it to open. I'll keep you posted.

Sixshooter

Jerry/MT · Nov 18, 2011

Sixshooter said:
Hello....I'm new to the site today. When we bought our ranch, it came with some machinery, among which is a Branson B30 tractor, which is fairly new and has a Degalman blade which we use to move snow. Well, the problem is that I cannot get heat to the cabin. The only control is set to the Red band which indicates heat, but no heat. The blower works great though.

The manuals that came with the tractor does not mention anything about heat, not even a hint. I cannot locate the heater core physically, but the parts manual does show one as well as a valve.

If anyone has a clue, please help. We have always operated with Deere, so the Branson is a new experience for me. The mornings are a tad on the frosty side here in Montana.

Thanks,

Sixshooter

On cab tractors, the heater core and the control valve are usually located in the roof of the cab. There are a couple of possibilities for your cold cab. When the antifreeze was changed, the control valve was feft open and the procedure for getting the heater core filled was not followed. The other possibility is that the the connection between the control knob and the valve is not connected.
The usual procedure for filling the heater core is to remove the rad cap and start the tractor, allowing it to warm up. Then speed the engine up and open the control valve, observig the coolant going down as the heater core fills. The core is usally about 1-2 quarts of coolant. Shut the heat valve off, shut the tractor off and top off the radiator.

You'll have to check the owners manual, the shop manual, or check with a dealer to get find out how the valve works mechanically.

Where abouts in MT are you located? We're in the Mission Valley, NE of St. Ignatius.

hr3 · Nov 18, 2011

Not sure about your tractor but mine has a Curtis cab and the heater has a manual valve that I turn off in the spring and back on in the fall.. This is so that the hot water going through the coils don't heat the cab in the summer.. If you have AC you probably do have an electric valve .. When you turn your knob to the red as you say does the fan come on ???

Sixshooter · Nov 19, 2011

Thanks for the info, no the fan does not come on when red is selected. There is a separate knob for the fan. Do you know the location of that manual valve of which you mentioned?

Sixshooter

Sixshooter · Nov 22, 2011

Hey Jerry and hr3,

Finally found the shut off valve for the heater. It is located on the left side of the engine by the large radiator hose. There is a tap there which take coolant to the heater core. The valve has a small lever, really can't miss it unless you have you specks on.

Thanks for you help, happy turkey day,

Jerry/MT · Nov 22, 2011

Sixshooter said:
Hey Jerry and hr3,

Finally found the shut off valve for the heater. It is located on the left side of the engine by the large radiator hose. There is a tap there which take coolant to the heater core. The valve has a small lever, really can't miss it unless you have you specks on.

Thanks for you help, happy turkey day,

Glad you found it! Now you won't have an excuse to not go out and clear snow!
Best wishes for a BLESSED AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING.