'hope I didn't break it already

[Uglyhat]

\'hope I didn\'t break it already

Hi folks - 'been lurking hereabouts for a while and recently picked up a 3054 w/FEL and 220 hours on it. Kioti dealer serviced the unit prior to sale, it looks sunfaded but practically new, with only minor wear on brake/clutch pedal paint. I also picked up a new Bush Hog Razorback mower.

Last time I spent any time on a tractor it was my Dad's 8N with a flail mower and no FEL. Today I reintroduced myself to tractoring, wanting to mow our newly acquired 1 acre pasture. I managed to keep all the fences and eaves intact while mowing, but I did manage to overheat the tractor and I hope I didn't damage it ... I'll find out tomorrow.

The tractor overheated because the radiator screen became plugged with fine dust and mowing debris (I was wearing a mask); I didn't figure all this out till I stopped to look at things after noticing coolant bubbling out the overflow tank (seeing the pegged temp gauge after the fact). I shut the tractor down, looked at things and cleaned the radiator screen off, then started it up again at an idle thinking flowing water and oil was better in a hot engine than just keeping it off while overheated.

As the temp gauge came back down, the oil light came on. I headed back to the shed (about 50 yards) and shut the unit down. Oil looked OK but everything was definately hot.

So I'm hoping I didn't do any real damage, I'll change the crankcase oil before firing it up again.

Anyway, ... Hi I'm new here I'll be buggin' y'all and askin all sortsa dumb questions as I learn all about my 'new' tractor.

Greg in KFOR

 

[RoyJackson]

Re: \'hope I didn\'t break it already

After you change your oil and replenish the antifreeze (if necessary), give the tractor a run. Obviously, watch that temperature gage!
After a bit...20 minutes or so, shut it down and check your oil and coolant. See if there's any coolant in the oil (probably be milky looking) or oil in the coolant. That might indicate a warped head.

I'm not saying this happened, but it could have.

If the oil and coolant look OK, just operate the machine normally, but check the fluids after each period of operation for a few weeks. Just keep an eye on that temp gage!

 

[BadDog]

Re: \'hope I didn\'t break it already

I'd put a new thermostat in the thing too... and maybe a new radiator cap. You also may want to flush the cooling system before replacing w/ coolant. I doubt you've broken anything... you'd notice a lot more trouble that you have already.

 

[Highbeam]

Re: \'hope I didn\'t break it already

I would pretty much hit the emergency stop knob if the oil pressure light comes on. That oil light means no oil to the bearings and pretty rapid destruction on a high compression diesel.

Too late for that. Check the fluids and give it a go.

 

[TonyV]

Re: \'hope I didn\'t break it already

Clogged radiator screens are always a threat, especially when clearing brush. I'd follow the advice that others have already posted, along with the advice to check your gauges more often when on the tractor! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

...Tony

 

[Charlie_in_TX]

Re: \'hope I didn\'t break it already

The advice on if there is a problem is good. Replace oil/filter, top off anti-freeze. Run under load for 15-20 minutes. Check for cross contamination of fluids.

One other thing I have noticed comparing the modern tractors to the old 8N. The 8N had a large margin for error in the cooling system, in the modern tractors it's small. I have a modern Mahindra. I clean the screan before each mowing (2-3 hours of use). The radiator still gets clogged. I take the radiator out (because I can't get my hand between the motor/fan and the radiator) and use a water hose to blow all the seeds/dust back the way it came in. You will be suprised how much crud will come out. The neddle barly moves after you clean the radiator. You will be able to tell when it's time to clean again by watching the temp gage. Once it starts moving, give it a good cleaning.

 

[Uglyhat]

Re: \'hope I didn\'t break it already

Thanks everyone - turns out there's no detectable damage; the light on wasn't OP, it was coolant level (the manual doesn't specify which light was for what and the lamp icons are 'nonstandard' as far as I can tell). New thermostat and radiator cap on the way.