1782 Radiator Screen plugs up constantly
 

Hey Guys

I'm still fairly new to the Cyclops/Super tractors so im looking for some ideas or suggestions..

I have a 1782 with a 60" Haban deck. When im cutting in taller grass and or weeds the removable screen behind the radiator stops up about every ten minutes. I have a temp gauge so I can stop before it gets too hot and clean the screen.. I know the screen is doing exactly what it was designed to do but it just gets frustrating to have to stop every ten minutes or so. When I'm using it on the lawn I don't have any issues.. It's like the screen is too fine or the openings in it are too small.. the stuff that's plugging it up is very fine. It seems to be kicking up off the front of the deck and coming up thru the bottom of the frame.. I tried running with the side panels off and it's even worse that way.. The stuff that's stopping it up is super fine and I really think it would pull thru the radiator but I don't want to stop the fins in the radiator up either.

I was thinking of trying to make a screen out of a bigger mesh maybe?

My 782 has a screen on the bottom of the chassis but If I did that im sure it would plug up in a hurry.

The 2182 dad has will do the same thing but It doesn't seem quite as bad

Any ideas or experiences appreciated!!:beerchug:

I know dryer lint screens with look clean but not flow because of dryer sheet build up ( see if water flows thru it to check--it's a fire hazard ) so maybe it's a similar problem with some type of build up on the screen. Maybe an oil build up :bigthink:

Try cleaning it with a degreaser or carb /brake cleaner.

I'd put a screen on the bottom of the frame. I never liked when they reversed the radiator on the 3 cylinder models to the dash tower side... for this very reason. When the radiator was in front, no such issues.

Otherwise, stay out of that tall grass and weeds. It's not a bush-hog. The screen is doing it's job. :beerchug:

i once mowed grass with a 100 that was 6" taller than the hood, it took a while but i got it done.

I do it all the time, but I don't have issues plugging up the radiator..... :biggrin2:

Jay

I'd try a piece of rubber belt bolted to the front of the deck to seal off the space between the ground and the deck. Hopefully that will stop the stuff that is being kicked out the front.

I agree 100% with putting a screen on the bottom of the frame. The holes are still in the frame, but they were not tapped. I haven't tried it yet, but I bet a screen for another super would fit. I think I will wrap a screen around the bottom of the dash too.

You do have the side panels on right? The screen on mine get covered and I have to wipe them off fairly often.

All great ideas... Thank you to everyone for their input!

I never have liked the radiator behind the dash... I think it makes more sense up front.. seems like it would be cleaner up there.

I think I will try the rubber belt trick and try to knock down some of that stuff kicking out the front of the deck..

I may also try something under the chassis... but the power steering valve seems to be in the way.

I may also try what Jeff in PA suggested... clean and degrease the screen that is there.. maybe stuff wont stick as easy.

Again thanks for all the suggestions.. I'm going to try a combination of all of it! :beerchug::beerchug:

If that doesn't work i'll just stick to my older air cooled cubs!! :biggrin2::biggrin2:

Jay

Good thing is that you put a temp gauge in it so you found out it was getting hot long before the warning light. I always wondered how many of the water pumpers got cooked because by the time the light is on it's too hot. I put gauges in all 3 water pumpers that I owned. Thing I noticed is once they start to get warm the gauge goes up fast. Then it's go clean the screen time and let them cool down at slow speed.

Sam,

Yes I agree.. I liked the gauges so well on your 2182 that I put a set on the 1782 also... I left the light hooked up and functional in addition to the gauge.. The gauge will hover between 190 and 200 for a while.... after that it will jump to 210-220 in a hurry!! Still haven't seen the light come on yet!! I wonder just how hot they get before the light comes on.. My guess is its cooked by the time it kicks the light on!! :beerchug: