Newbie with MF 1440 Hydro Questions..

[bigbyrd]

Greetings All....
I purchased a 2005 MF 1440 (turbo) in February, my 5th tractor and by far the newest. The first time I cut grass (71" finish mower-easy cutting) the water temperature almost red-lined. I then installed an in-line hose adapter and a numerical mechanical gauge for a second opinion. The next time the water temperature got up to 210 and stayed there with the ambient temperature of 82 degrees. It has a ND 1.1 (16 lb.) radiator cap and I did not lose any coolant. I made sure the radiator was clean, drained existing anti-freeze (which was very clean) and replaced with 50/50 mix. The temperature seems to run about 165 doing non PTO operations. Other than the temperature issue, tractor is everything I expected.
Question #1- Do newer tractors (like cars) run a higher temperature these days?
Question #2- What temps am I to expect while using a bush hog in July and August?
All response appreciated.
old hippie

 

[bigbyrd]

Greetings All. Lots of lookers, no suggestions.
Since last post, I took radiator to radiator repair shop. Of course, when I picked up radiator, repairman was gone so I only talked with woman in office. The repair ticket said that he 1-pressure washed 2-acid bath 3-fluxcheck test 4-repaired cooling fins ($117.70). I reinstalled radiator with 50/50 coolant mix. The last 2 times I have cut grass, the temp gauge had 1/8 to 1/4 inch before red lining with ambient temperature of 85 degrees with slight breeze. I am unsure of the accuracy of the mechanical gauge. Tractor still shows no sign of overheating nor loses any coolant.
I do feel somewhat more comfortable with the slight decrease in water temp and will keep a close watch while brush hogging next month.
Hope this post helps someone else settle some high temperature issues.
old hippie

 

[bigbyrd]

Greetings Again. After last posting, I replaced mechanical temperature gauge with one from NAPA. This past weekend while bush hogging about 17-18 acres, the tractor temperature gauge was almost at the red line, and the mechanical gauge was reading 205 degrees. The ambient temperature was 90+ degrees. That was as hot as the tractor temperature got. Although I did feel a little uncomfortable at that temperature, I just made sure the radiator screen did not get clogged up and kept on working. It did not seem to have any adverse affect on tractor. Perhaps i was worried about nothing. Maybe this will help someone else who is having temperature issues.
Take Care.
Old Hippie

 

[LRover]

I have found that a hand held infrared/laser thermometer is invaluable for trouble shooting overheating problems. You can use it to find bad gauges, clogged radiators, and stuck thermostats. Its just point and shoot. It allows you to compare different parts of the radiator or either side of the thermostat housing etc. Prices on the tool have come down and you can find them for under $100. Good luck

 

[Phillip w]

I have a 1531 massey ferguson compact tractor. It tends to run hot when using a rotary mower and a Roto tiller. I keep a close eye on the heat gaugur and keep the radiator and screen clean. I also remove the side panels underneath the hood. This seems to help some. Most of the older farm tractors did not have side panels. Engine was not totally enclosed. My theort is there is a design flaw and the heat off the engine get trapped under the hood. This "heat trapped underneath the hood" phenomenon intensifies when working the tractor hard. I don't knows if my theory is exactly right, but removing the side panels seems to helpm

 

[bigbyrd]

Greetings Again. Thanks Phillip w for your response. As you suggested, I removed the side panels (perforated metal) from underneath hood. I could not tell any significant decrease in water temperature but we have had some very hot weather with the ambient temperature above 90 degrees some days. However, I do agree with your thought about heat trapped under the hood, and it made it easier to check and add oil when needed. I am still uncomfortable with the temperature running about 205 (+ or-) when mowing or brush hogging, but it does not blow out any coolant nor affect performance. Do all compact tractors seem to run hot when using PTO implements. Redneck reasoning says that the manufacturer should have used a larger radiator.
Take Care.
Old Hippie