MF1758 Overheating?

[JKeane]

I'm hoping to get some input regarding engine temperature on this model. The temperature gauge display is comprised of bars. 3 bars is "normal" according to the marking on the dash so I get nervous if it goes over that. The gauge does display up to 6 bars. Does anyone know what is acceptable? What is too hot? I understand that in part, the engine temp is climbing due to grass seeds building up on the radiator screens and radiator when I'm brush hogging. I always clean them off using an air brush prior to mowing. Still only get about an hour or so of work before the temp gauge starts hitting 4 bars.

All suggestions welcome.

I have an HST, using Shell T4 engine oil, pulling a Rhino TS10 brush hog.

 

[JWR]

Just a few comments: Getting the radiator screen, radiator itself AND the debris that tends to build up obstructing air on the side of the sheet metal thoroughly cleaned off is more than many people realize. Sounds like you do that well. No matter what Rhino says about tractor HP range, a 10ft tri-blade cutter weighing over 2,000 lb and using 3 gear boxes is pulling some serious HP out of your 1758. What is your typical chore in cutting? Mostly grass, briars, head-high weeds & light brush? In heavy / thick grass, esp if damp, I am not surprised at all that you temp indicator bumps up a notch. A few questions:
Age and hours on the 1758?
Ever flush the radiator?
Is this "4 bars after an hours work" during real hot outside air temp or under 90 stuff as well?
Steep or level typically?
What does your owner's manual say about the temperature range/indicator?

[I run a little larger MF 2660 81 hp pulling a 7ft Bush Hog single spindle. My temp gauge is the older analog needle type and it never goes above mid range even in over 90 degree weather UNLESS the grass/seeds/debris are clogging the screen, the radiator or sometimes even the outer shell of the sheet metal. I have definitely had it go "into the red" when those are clogged.]

 

[Shawn T. W.]

The TS10 recommends 25 -60 PTO HP, (seems optimistic!) so your in the range at 44 ... I don't know about the gauge reading, but at 4 out of 6 I'd not be worried ... Does the manual indicate a color change on maybe the fifth or sixth bar?

I like to mow more often, no seed heads to deal with, much less chaff, if any ... Finish cut looks better without huge winrows of dead grass piled up ...

 

[JKeane]

Just a few comments: Getting the radiator screen, radiator itself AND the debris that tends to build up obstructing air on the side of the sheet metal thoroughly cleaned off is more than many people realize. Sounds like you do that well. No matter what Rhino says about tractor HP range, a 10ft tri-blade cutter weighing over 2,000 lb and using 3 gear boxes is pulling some serious HP out of your 1758. What is your typical chore in cutting? Mostly grass, briars, head-high weeds & light brush? In heavy / thick grass, esp if damp, I am not surprised at all that you temp indicator bumps up a notch. A few questions:
Age and hours on the 1758?
Ever flush the radiator?
Is this "4 bars after an hours work" during real hot outside air temp or under 90 stuff as well?
Steep or level typically?
What does your owner's manual say about the temperature range/indicator?

[I run a little larger MF 2660 81 hp pulling a 7ft Bush Hog single spindle. My temp gauge is the older analog needle type and it never goes above mid range even in over 90 degree weather UNLESS the grass/seeds/debris are clogging the screen, the radiator or sometimes even the outer shell of the sheet metal. I have definitely had it go "into the red" when those are clogged.]

Thanks for all your comments and questions. This year I find myself having to cut 3' to 4' foot high grass / weed with some golden rod and milkweed. We have had a lot of rain, and I couldn't access the field (~40 acres) till recently. Ideally I would have mowed it much earlier. I always wait till the field is dry before cutting. I'm cutting it with the mower deck up substantially (~15") to allow material to blow out the back and stress the machine less.

The tractor has less than 600 hours on it which is honestly nearly my total hours working a tractor. I have never flushed the radiator, but I have tested the fluid, and it tests out well into the good range with the float type tester.

The 4 bars on the temp gauge appears after about an hour or so of mowing slightly hilly terrain with air temp in the mid-eighties. Unfortunately, the owner's manual just shows a picture of the temp gauge with the notation that 1 bar is too cold for heavy work and 6 bars is considered too hot. They do list the temp rating per each bar but don't say what is an acceptable temp range to run the tractor. For instance bar 3 equals 168F to 194F, bar 4 equals 195F to 210F, bar 5 equals 211F to 215F. I don't want to run it too hot but also don't want to be shutting down early unnecessarily.

Thanks for your help.

 

[JKeane]

The TS10 recommends 25 -60 PTO HP, (seems optimistic!) so your in the range at 44 ... I don't know about the gauge reading, but at 4 out of 6 I'd not be worried ... Does the manual indicate a color change on maybe the fifth or sixth bar?

I like to mow more often, no seed heads to deal with, much less chaff, if any ... Finish cut looks better without huge winrows of dead grass piled up ...

View attachment 3825702

Thanks for your comments. Your terrain looks similar to my field; mine might be a bit steeper in spots. They tractor doesn't seem to have any issues with power regarding handling the hills and running the mower. I keep it in low range on the HST. Unfortunately, the temp gauge does not change color as it climbs to higher temps.

My goal is to make my field look more like yours. Unfortunately, this year spring was so wet I couldn't get the machines out in the field until the grasses / weeds got out of control. I always wait till things are dry before mowing.

 

[JWR]

Thanks for all your comments and questions. This year I find myself having to cut 3' to 4' foot high grass / weed with some golden rod and milkweed. We have had a lot of rain, and I couldn't access the field (~40 acres) till recently. Ideally I would have mowed it much earlier. I always wait till the field is dry before cutting. I'm cutting it with the mower deck up substantially (~15") to allow material to blow out the back and stress the machine less.

The tractor has less than 600 hours on it which is honestly nearly my total hours working a tractor. I have never flushed the radiator, but I have tested the fluid, and it tests out well into the good range with the float type tester.

The 4 bars on the temp gauge appears after about an hour or so of mowing slightly hilly terrain with air temp in the mid-eighties. Unfortunately, the owner's manual just shows a picture of the temp gauge with the notation that 1 bar is too cold for heavy work and 6 bars is considered too hot. They do list the temp rating per each bar but don't say what is an acceptable temp range to run the tractor. For instance bar 3 equals 168F to 194F, bar 4 equals 195F to 210F, bar 5 equals 211F to 215F. I don't want to run it too hot but also don't want to be shutting down early unnecessarily.

Thanks for your help.

In my experience 195 to 210 degrees is just fine for warm full operating conditions. Above that I'd feel compelled to get to the bottom of the issue.

 

[JKeane]

Thank you for the information.