Took delivery Friday, and have a few questions

[JackJ]

My new BX1870 was delivered three days ago. I received a lot of help in figuring out the details here--thanks for all the generous assistance. Went with the 48" regular deck and turf tires. I've got about 9 hours on it, and I'm still babying it, but so far, so good.

Figured out a bunch of minor problems (ROPS wouldn't fold due to pivot bolts located in pin positions; deck height knob stopped turning, but adjusting lift bolt above rear left wheel fixed it). But I still have a couple of things, which are probably normal, causing a bit of concern.

Temp gauge--it starts on one bar, very quickly works up to two, but then has never gone any higher. Since I'm not doing any serious work with the tractor that may be what I'm supposed to see, but after operating for an hour in ambient temps in the 75F range, I expected it to get more toward the mid range. Under the hood there seems to be a little less heat than I would expect, too, but most of my relevant experience is with air cooled gas motors, and thus I really don't know what to expect. What are other folks seeing on the gauge? Are there ever calibration issues with the thermostat?

Transmission case temps. While the engine is cooler than I expect, the transmission is much hotter, especially since I'm mostly just driving around at moderate speeds in 2wd. I can only keep my hand on the rear axle case for about 3 secs. once I've been running it for a while. I researched this a bit already and learned that hot is normal. But this hot when taking it easy? l'm worried what it will be like when I'm pushing the tractor hard, especially when temps near triple digits. I don't own an infrared thermometer, but I'm willing to invest in one (I have other applications where I'll use it when my OCD new tractor owner paranoia settles down).

Black smoke on start up and when engaging the mower PTO. Is this normal? Wouldn't be surprised if it is, but I'm new to diesels.

Here's the required photo:

 

[SLIMSHADIE]

Jack, the temp is normal for diesel. My diesel truck will actually cool off if left at idle for awhile, much lower rpms. Check all your fluids, especially the front axle, majority seems to be low. I had to aslo retighten my hose clamps for the cooling system. I havent really checked the temp of the transmission but I do have a infrared thermometer. Again all my fluids are at level.
Black smoke at start up for sure. When I engage my pto, I'm at idle then engage, then bring it to proper rpm's. Its easier on the hst transmission.
Good luck on your BX.

 

[Grouse Feathers]

For most mowing you will not load up the engine enough for the temperature to go any higher. In winter blowing heavy snow I have to regulate my forward speed to keep from lugging the engine speed down. With the engine in this fully loaded condition the temperature goes up to three bars and has hit four. At four bars I back down a little and cool it back down to three. I have a 1/2 mile driveway so lots of time to warm up. You will probably be keeping the load down on yours during breakin.

 

[Dr Honda]

The temps seem normal to me. My engine temp gauge doesn't go much higher than a couple bars.

I've never touched my trans after working hard... but I know the hoses get toasty after working for a while. But... now that I have 50 hr's on it... it doesn't seem as hot. SO... I'm going to say you are ok? BUT... after I mow again... I will check the trans temp.


Black smoke starting, or loading a diesel is 100% normal. (assuming they haven't put all the new emissions crap on the BX) Even my 2002 Cummins would smoke on start-up. If you let the glow plugs warm a little longer... then it will be minimized on start-up... but it will still be there. Also, using an additive like "Power Service" will help reduce smoke. FYI... as your engine breaks in... the smoke while working will start to go way. I remember the first time I mowed, and I went up the steep hill in my yard... the engine loaded, and was puffing some black. But now... on that same hill... it doesn't lug down at all... and there isn't ANY smoke. (same with starting the mower deck PTO)


Anyway... at this point... I'd say you don't have anything to worry about... and after 20 or so hours... it will run smoother. (but start-up will still smoke)


*****EDIT****

If your ROPS pivot bolts were really in the wrong place... I would slap the tech that put it together... and I would think twice before letting them do any service.

 

[dandeman]

I had the same concern about my 2230 (was the engine running too cold??) as indicated by the temp gauge... So I measured the water temperature (both with an IR thermometer and a thermometer probe in the radiator) and found the engine temperature is within spec although the temp gauge indicates only 1/4 scale most of the time and sometimes a bit less.

I bought all the extra manuals for my 2230 (these docs also cover the 1830) and noticed something in the docs that may explain why the gauge indication is so low.

The 1830 engine apparently runs a higher temp thermostat than the 2230 diesel engine, but the gauge and temp sensor sending unit I believe are the same parts on the two models..

So Kubota in their wisdom to use the same parts means the 2230 will be showing quite low scale temps on the instrument panel gauge.

Perhaps this has been done on other Kubota series tractors..

Lesson learned.... if concerned about engine not running at proper temp, use a IR thermometer or other temp measuring device to verify engine run temperature and the panel gauge only as a tale-tale indicator.

btw on an older Ford pickup, a friend of mine discovered when he rebuilt the engine that the instrument panel temp gauge is not driven by a thermistor sensor which can be calibrated to indicate actual temperature, but by an apparently bimetal sensor device that when engine temp comes up goes closed and makes a mid scale reading on the gauge. I would hope it has a second set of contacts to indicate a overheat condition.

 

[dfh1977]

Check your front axle for oil. Make sure it is full. If you do any plowing or tilling in a garden plan in investing in a undercarriage cover to protect the blasted $6 plastic fan you will quite a bit on forums. Oh and the factory cover that kubota installed to try to fix is more of a joke for protection. Mine is luckily bent to prove you will need the cover on there.


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[C6pilot]

Welcome, I'm new here too. I have a 2370, so very similar to yours.

Since others addressed your temp questions I thought I'd throw this in.

The deck height adjustment knob will only turn when you raise the deck all the way up, re-adjust knob, and then lower it to your new selected height. It won't adjust very easily or at all when the deck is down. I also heard the knob will cease very easily over time and should be turned to it's limits regularly just to keep it functional.

Not sure what you mean by the ROPS won't fold. You may have to loosen the nut/bolt to get it to swing after removing the pins. There should be nothing stopping you from folding it unless it's assembled incorrectly. Make sure the bolt is actually through the pivot point and not through a lock pin point.

One word of caution if it is assembled incorrectly... The ROPS is under a little bit of tension. If you pull all the bolts and pins to remove it, it will "unspring" and makes it more difficult to re-install. Another set of hands will work ok but I re-installed mine after I added custom lighting by using a very large screwdriver (or small pry bar) as leverage to get it re-sprung and in place. Just don't let go of it. It's got some weight to it and could easily break your foot etc.

But you should have no problem working on one side at a time. Just be careful not to swing the ROPS off its perch while the bolt and pin are both out. If someone handed you the ROPS upper and told you to attach it to the lower, you'd swear they don't fit together. That's how much tension is on the ROPS.