massey 4253 overheating troubleshooting.

citrustaco · Mar 4, 2011

Hello,

I am a citrus grower in southwest florida. During the summer where I spray almost continuously my tractor runs hot, reaching nearly to the red. I was just wondering if you guys had any possible ideas.

I must say I do believe it is strongly due to the heat, as when I spray through the night in the summer, or as I finish my application this weekend the needle rides in the middle.

I did take out the thermostat in an attempt to aid the flow, however this did not accomplish anything.

My sprayer is in spec for my tractor's ratings.

Thank you,
David

slowzuki · Mar 4, 2011

Do you have a steep nose / hi-vis model? The rad is very small on those models and can cause overheating in very hot climates.

If not have you blown out the rad? Often the rad will look clean but the little fins are clogged in the middle.

Have you been using proper coolant? If you are on straight water, rust from the block will plug up the radiator passages.

I assume your fan belt is tight and turning. You should put the thermostat back in too.

Have you checked the temp with a handheld ir gun or thermocouple? The gauge may be the culprit.

Are you in a cab? Is there AC?

Have you added any fairings to push branches out of the way like some orchard guys do?

citrustaco · Mar 5, 2011

I do not know, but I have to agree the rad looks a little on the small side. Here's a picture if interested, minus the sprayer: ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

I do blow out the radiator every week, if not it does get super, super hot,

Coolant is 50/50 the green stuff.

The fan belt should be tight, I will re check it after I'm done spraying tonight. **** wind.

I have not checked the temp with an IR gun, but the gauge seems to move around like it is working. I'll bring my ir gun next time.

There is a/c. Last summer, it went out and I sprayed the whole day without the a/c running (really ******) and the temp gauge was down by about 1/5.

I have no added any fairings or similar attachments. My trees are hedged, and have never had trouble with such a problem.

The more I think about it, it's just gotta be that summer heat.

One smart thing to do would be to invest into getting my radiator rebuilt. My irrigation pump's radiator at one point was super clogged, and we had to run a little hose from the water outlet to spray onto the radiator. The shop said it was something stupid percent clogged. It runs nice and cool now.

Thank you for all the ideas,
David

MFRED · Mar 5, 2011

You've got a regular visibility model. Have you changed the anti-freeze in the past? Have you tried to flush the system? It's probably partially blocked as you suggest, hence why it happens when it's real hot during the day.

Sometimes we have to actually clean the outside between the fins with a good cleaner & hose to get more than just blowing with compressed air.

slowzuki · Mar 5, 2011

Ok no you don't have the hi-vis/droop snout version, your version does not normally have cooling problems. I would get a mirror and check the fins after cleaning the screens and blowing out. I had some trouble where I was blowing both sides of the rad but it wasn't cleaning the core of the fins. Would run consistently hot, couldn't use A/C in the hot parts of the day.

I had to build a long air gun with a 90 deg fitting at the end to get it tight to the rad. Otherwise your rad is likely plugged up internally.

JerryG · Mar 5, 2011

If the radiator is brass and not aluminum, wet the fins with water. Then spray in them good with oven cleaner. Wait about 10 minutes, then wash out with the garden hose. You will be shocked at what comes out. Do it again if you need to.

citrustaco · Mar 7, 2011

I will buy a radiator flush product, and try to do a deep clean on the radiator fins.

That has to help, as theres nothing else other than I'm truly working the massey to it's max.

Thanks,
David

slowzuki · Mar 8, 2011

My Massey has basically the same rad only with 100 hp, and in 100 F, with my 10 ft disc mower conditioner keeping the motor running wide open, and the A/C on, will only overheat if the rad is blocked.

citrustaco said:
I will buy a radiator flush product, and try to do a deep clean on the radiator fins.

That has to help, as theres nothing else other than I'm truly working the massey to it's max.

Thanks,
David

citrustaco · Mar 8, 2011

I do not know how demanding a disc mower conditioner is, but I do know my new holland 5900 would overheat also with a smaller fan on my rears sprayer.

At this, do you guys have any favorite radiator flush products?

Thank you,
David