Temp Gauge

mrolson · May 16, 2001

I have noticed on my L3000DT that the temperature gauge does not move much at all, not more than two needles worth up. But I haven’t worked her hard since she is new. After 3 hours last night, attacking an 80 yard pile/w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif, the gauge didn’t move. What do your gauges read normally ?

Mark

skent · May 16, 2001

Mark,

I had the same concern, my B7300 didn't have a gauge when I got it, but I retrofitted a new B7500 instrument cluster with a B7500 sending unit. That was back in January. Using the tractor to move snow and light grading I noticed the same thing. I measured the engine temp with a high accuracy thermocouple gauge and found it was operating at 175 degrees. Worried that the gauge wasn't working, I contacted where I bought the Instrument cluster. I was told the gauge normally won't move more than one or two needle width's, unless the engine was REALLY under a load and it was HOT and your radiator screen was plugged with grass.

Two weeks ago I was cutting the meadow, Ambient temps around 88, Heavy grass, About 3 acres, Guess what? the gauge moved about 1/3 up between C and H. I checked the radiator screen and you guessed it, It was clogged. I cleaned it off and resumed mowing with the gauge back to its normal indication.

Steve

GlueGuy · May 16, 2001

The gauge on my B7500 moves up a little more than that, but not a whole lot. It gets to about the top of the C, but not above that. Once the engine is warmed up, it pretty much stays there.

Last night after doing some mowing (my 'bota's alter ego is "Mow-zilla", I did notice that the temp gauge wasn't registering at all. In fact, the fuel gauge said I was out of fuel! Whoa! What's going on?!? I had bumped the ignition key with my knee, and accidentally turned off the ignition. My bad /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif.

My eyes are killing me this morning. They say the pollen count is the worst it's been in 2 decades! Severe itch, scratchy, watery. I hate this.

The GlueGuy

Gomez · May 16, 2001

My B2400 goes to about the top part of the C, even when mowing at 90 degrees air temp.

Last I heard, the pollen count is about 10x what it normally is this time of year. We haven't had rain (SE PA) for about 3 weeks and that ain't helping.

FarmerBob · May 16, 2001

Mark...

It appears that we got us some coooooooooooool run'n tractors. My L2600DT gauge reads exactly as yours and I too had some concern until I talked to the dealer. Appears it's quite normal.

FarmerBob

mrolson · May 16, 2001

And I thought we just looked cool /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

Mark

Bird · May 16, 2001

And my B2710 gauge only moves up 1/4 to 1/3 of the way, even in 100 degree weather. When it goes over 1/2 the way up, I know it's time to stop and clean the grass off the grill & screen on the front end.

Bird

frank_f15 · May 16, 2001

gomez, my 2400 runs the same, just barely above the c on temp gauge. guess that is normal, also it takes a few min. for fuel gauge to get to actual level. does yours work that way also? also someone stated that they accidently turned key off and gauges did not read, on mine if u turn key off it kills the engine. explain please?

Bird · May 16, 2001

Frank, diesels have no spark plugs (compression combustion instead of spark combustion), so turning off the electrical system does not kill the engine; you have to shut off the fuel. On a lot of the newer tractors, including my B2710, turning off the key causes an electric solenoid to shut off the fuel supply as it does on cars and pickups, but a lot of tractors have a separate fuel shut off (a knob you pull out, a lever you pull back, etc.) so turning off the key doesn't stop the engine.

Bird