Hot Dog

[rdsaustintx]

Took an IR photo of my tractor after digging about 30' of trench. By "digging" I mean wedging your BH under rocks and roots, listening to your relief valve sing and flopping the FEL against the ground. I was flailing.

It was a little over 90 here and the cylinders are about 160 deg. No telling how hot the innards of the HST get. The rule of thumb that the hydraulic fluid runs about 100 above ambient looks pretty valid at this point.

 

[BigD23]

Very interesting photos...Thanks for sharing!

Don

 

[actionaj]

Thats cool, what kind of camera are you using? Something like that would be excellent for electrical panels.

 

[rdsaustintx]

ICI toughcam. Yeah, if you dial it in close enough (minimum span), ALL electrical panels look scary.

 

[RedDirt]

Cool photos , thanks.

I use an infrared no-contact thermometer, fairly cheap these days, <$40. Every so often I check out various components on my equipment and its a great troubleshooting tool. Radiator, thermostat, intake/exhaust manifolds, engine block at each cylinder, crankcase, alternator, hydraulic pump/cylinders/hoses, wheel bearings, you name it. Very interesting stuff to compare the various operating temperatures.

Also works good in the house for checking hot/cold spots, eg measure an inside wall then various components on the exterior walls: walls, window frames, doors, brick wall behind the wood stove, water heater enclosure, etc.

 

[Dr. Bob]

Yes, very interesting. Where do you get one of these "no contact thermometers" for less than $40? I'd really like to use it for the tractor AND the house when considering insulation.

 

[RedDirt]

Yes, very interesting. Where do you get one of these "no contact thermometers" for less than $40? I'd really like to use it for the tractor AND the house when considering insulation.

I bought mine from Kragen when I was trying to diagnose an overheating problem on my Toyota. I think I paid $56. I was half way through a 5 hour trip and didn't have time to shop around. Since then I've seen them for around $40 or less at Harbor Freight and sometimes the local Kragen and Auto Zone stores has them on sale for around this amount.

I use it in the shop too to check operating temperatures of motors I've put under heavy load for long periods like planing a unit of lumber. I've also checked the temperature of my welders to make sure I was not overheating them.

 

[BX2230Dude]

Yes, very interesting. Where do you get one of these "no contact thermometers" for less than $40? I'd really like to use it for the tractor AND the house when considering insulation.

Sears has one for $49.99. Page 103 of their new 2008-2009 tool catalog.

"Craftsman Laser-Directed Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer. Measures surface temp from -58 to 518 degrees with 2.5% accuracy. Accurate to 6 feet"

Their top-of-the-line model measures -58 to 1832 degrees but it's $179.99

 

[FullBucket]

Bx2230Dude,

Got to be an interesting story behind your avatar. Do you know and want to share?

 

[easygo]

That kind of stuff happens around here when people from out of state park on the wonderful beach, go for a hike and the tide comes in. Although I must admit they don't tend to travel in commercial TLB's.