Kubota BX25 Seems to Run Hot

[Briyon]

Hi Everyone,

I did a search of the forum on this subject and didn't find anything. I apologize if this is a repeat. I have a 2010 BX25 with about 650 hours on it and it seems to run hot when using one of the PTOs. Typically it occurs when I am using the mower deck. I live in the Atlanta area and avoid mowing in the heat of the day. Seems like after about 20 to 30 minutes of mowing the temperature gauge get fairly close to the red zone. I am not sure about the accuracy these temperature gauges. I thought I would see if anyone else on the forum has experienced this issue and if there was something that could be done?

Thanks,
Brian

 

[butlmd]

Have you blown out the radiator lately? Mine tends to get caked up after mowing, so I'll blow it out with a long blow gun before mowing again. You'll also want to clean off the outside and inside grills. Note that the air flow is away from the operator, so you want to blow the radiator out from inside the engine compartment.

 

[wupham]

There isn't a lot of room to easily blow out the radiator. If you have trouble, you might try the Radiator Genie (Radiator Genie Cleans out Clogged Radiators) I use it on my BX24 and Cub Cadet 782D that tend to get hot if the radiator isn't clean.

 

[rjkobbeman]

Yup, both the radiator and intake grill get plugged.

I blow my radiator out with an air hose. You can look down the slot where the secondary screen goes and see all the chaff.

 

[oldballs]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there are several either comments or actual thread about the BX models running "hot" according to their gauge. I had a BX2660 (2009) and it ran hot when mowing....be it a clean or a slightly "fuzzy" radiator/screen.

I think it is the nature of the design. However, I never heard of any damage due to this usage. IIRC mine had 450 hrs when traded for a bigger tractor and it ran the same when brand new or at 450 hrs.:2cents:

 

[Briyon]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I am going to get myself a longer reaching air gun and see if blowing out the radiator helps. I do keep the screen cleaned out (the removable one in front of the radiator) but I have never blown out the radiator fins themselves. Thanks for the tips.

oldballs, I have never had an issue with the tractor but that needle approaching the red zone has a psychological affect I guess. It makes me a nervous.

Thanks,


Brian

 

[My Hoe]

There isn't a lot of room to easily blow out the radiator. If you have trouble, you might try the Radiator Genie (Radiator Genie Cleans out Clogged Radiators) I use it on my BX24 and Cub Cadet 782D that tend to get hot if the radiator isn't clean.

wupham,

Looks like a great product--thanks for posting!

But since it's only $35. (for the pair!), paying shipping of almost $18. (for lightweight items, no less) seems excessive to me.

May I ask where you got yours? And what shipping you paid? I'm in the N.E. U.S.

I looked on amazon and Tractor Supply online--no dice.

Thanks much!

My Hoe

 

[Henro]

My BX2200 is about 13 years old. About 800 hours on it if I remember correctly.

I think it used to run cooler than it does now. On a 90 degree day when cutting grass in the sun it will run close to the Red Mark on the gauge, but maybe 1/8 inch to a 16th of an inch below the Red mark. I want to recall that when it was new it would not run that close to the Red Mark. Maybe two thirds of the way up from zero.

A year or two ago I didn't pay attention to my temperature gauge or the amount of debris on my radiator. When I stopped the tractor, after mowing on a hot day, it overheated. I quickly restarted the engine and let it cool down properly, and refilled the coolant up to the proper level.

I also cleaned the radiator very well, and the temperature when mowing dropped quite a bit. But now the radiator is still clean and the temperature seems to be running higher than it used to be

So I'm wondering if the temperature sensor has aged and maybe is giving an erroneous reading as compared to when new.

I use my BX mainly for grass cutting as I have the larger B2910 for other uses. The larger B2910 does not seem to run hot at all, always about the same temperature as when new. But I usually don't run it at full RPM.

I wonder if a non-contact infrared thermometer might give an idea of the engine temperature. I also wonder if there's any information on the calibration of the BX temperature gage

After I post this I'm going to go look at my anti-freeze level in the BX to make sure it is proper. I think I have checked it in the past though and found it normal.

Bill

 

[Briyon]

I just received the Radiator Genie today. I am going to give it a try this weekend. I agree with My Hoe...the shipping was pretty pricey but I figured it was because it was coming from Canada. I couldn't find it anywhere else. It looks like a well made tool. I will let you all know how it works out.

Thanks,

Brian

 

[KenB2920]

I just received the Radiator Genie today. I am going to give it a try this weekend. I agree with My Hoe...the shipping was pretty pricey but I figured it was because it was coming from Canada. I couldn't find it anywhere else. It looks like a well made tool. I will let you all know how it works out. Thanks, Brian

Good luck, it should blow out a ton more than you'd expect. I don't have the genie but a similar style that blows air out its side. Works wonders over just a straight air gun.

Ok, after you blow out the radiator, you should also blow out your air filter or replace it. They suck in a lot of dust which chokes the engine.