Kubota BX 1850 Question

[gilldawg79]

I have used my tractor about 3-4 times this season to cut grass.....Due to extreme drought conditions here in Alabama, it hasn't been as much as I wanted. However, When I cut my grass ,about 3-4 acres, My tractor doesn't ever get all the way to the red on the temp guage, but it gets close to it....Has anybody expereinced this and where it should typically run....It just seems to get pretty warm.....No ill effects to the tractor or performance. It has been mighty hot when I was cutting, but I don't think it would have contributed much. All the coolant levels seem fine....Anybody else experiencing this??

Thanks!!

Jimmy

 

[Dusty]

Take the cowl screen off and blow out the fins of the radiator. The fins are probably clogged with grass clippings, dust, dirt, and other debris. A clean radiator is a happy radiator. Don't forget to change the anti freeze every other year, since the lubrication properties of the anti freeze wear out. Failure to do this can lead to premature failure of the water pump.

 

[KeithInSpace]

Not sure if the 1850 has the 'crumb catcher' before the radiator...on my 2230 it has a little tab right by the hood release you can pull to lift it out and blow THAT out. Tough to get to the radiator fins without going under the steering wheel cowling. On mine at least.

I've put mine through some reasonably hard work (60" mower and PTO bagger wide open) while sucking up hay and dust and everything else on a 100 degree day and the temp doesn't crack 1/4 of the way up the gauge.

I assume your fan is spinning, right? Some other basic automotive culprits would be a stuck thermostat thingy, lack of water, collapsed/pinched hose, a chunk of sealant in the seat of the previously mentioned thermostat thingy (wish I remembered what that was called...you know...the springy thingy).

 

[nh_bota]

Jimmy, I just noticed the same thing happening today on my BX2350. The needle was sitting just under the red zone. I don't have any debris in the screen and my coolant levels are ok too. We I talked to the dealer today, he was concerned and said it shouldn't be running that hot, even when mowing and bagging in 90 degree heat. I'll keep you posted on what I find out.

 

[TGD]

I have a BX2230 with the 'crumb catcher' screen in front of the radiator and it seems pretty much worthless at catching anything. I noticed after several mowings that the temp guage was a little higher than it usually is. Inspection found the radiator about half packed with grass clippings. Cleaned out with a hose and all is well.

I would check your radiator fins for clogging.

Phil

 

[gilldawg79]

When you take yours to the dealer, let me know what you find out.../I am concerned.

Thanks!!

Jimmy

 

[nh_bota]

The dealer just picked up my tractor. He mentioned that they've had problems with the BX radiators in the past -- apparently they have plastic tanks and metal cores. A few of their other customers' tractors have leaked coolant unnoticed while running because it vaporized before hitting the ground.

Should have kept my old Scotts tractor as a backup.

 

[gilldawg79]

so you had to have the radiator replaced??

Dang....That sucks!! Mine is going to the DR. thurs....I think mine is a bad sending unit or a bad gauge....It jumps up to normal operating temp right when you crank it...Then it goes up from there. I hope that is all it is.

Jimmy

 

[nh_bota]

The dealer did a complete pressure test on the system (for about 4 hours) and found no leaks. He then ran the machine and made every effort to get it hot (even blocked airflow with cardboard and ran rear and mid pto's). When the gauge was just under the red zone, the temp was between 185 and 195, which is definitely safe. No conclusion from the dealer other than the system is working fine.

As you said, hopefully you're dealing with an electronic issue.

 

[jlangton]

The dealer did a complete pressure test on the system (for about 4 hours) and found no leaks. He then ran the machine and made every effort to get it hot (even blocked airflow with cardboard and ran rear and mid pto's). When the gauge was just under the red zone, the temp was between 185 and 195, which is definitely safe. No conclusion from the dealer other than the system is working fine.

As you said, hopefully you're dealing with an electronic issue.

Sounds like the sending unit for the temp gauge is out of range,or it's got a gauge that's bad.
JL