[ljnelson109]

I made my first pass at "mowing" leaves last Saturday. The leaves were very dry and dusty. I would guess I spent about an hour on the machine. As I was shutting down the PTO, I noticed the temperature light was lit. I must admit, I had not been watching it. Although unseasonably warm, it was only 75 degrees outside. I never expected to shut down the grill and radiator screen with leaves that quickly. And if that wasn't bad enough, when I immediately stopped the machine, set the brake and jumped off to clear the grill, I forgot to put it in neutral. When the motor stalled the coolant overflow boiled over! I quickly restarted and brushed the grill clear, opened the hood and cleared the screen in front of the radiator. I hate that this machine does not have a gauge. Then again, if I wasn't watching for an idiot light, who knows if I would have been attentive to the gauge.....

So, now that I have shared my irresponsible behavior, I do have a question. Does anyone know at what temperature this light is triggered? I have always been of the mindset that most idiot lights do not provide warning but rather provide notice that it is too late. Everything seems to be OK, but I can't help but worry about how hot it really was?

Lee

 

[Brian]

Well, coolant can boil at 235 but it can also reach 250-275 degrees and not boil due to the pressure its under. We have to assume you were still getting some air through the radiator so there was some cooling, jut not enough. Hopefully everything is fine.

Fill it back up with the proper amount of coolant and watch it. Your head gasket is can go when an engine overheats. Its best to catch that early if it happened, but most likely it did not.

 

[Kennyd]

Does anyone know at what temperature this light is triggered?

I just checked JDParts, it does not say.

I just checked the FSM for my machine and it said the switch closes at 225-235*

 

[ljnelson109]

Thanks Kenny. I take it this is not something that everyone normally sees come on.... I doubt I will be dealing with this much leaf dust until fall. I will definitely be watching closely.

Lee

 

[RRMCCABE]

I would be surprised if there is anyone that has a 2305 that uses it to mow hasnt seen it.

If you get crud on the front grill then its bound to happen. I have learned to stop half way through mowing and wipe the grill off.

I am thinking about adding a buzzer to my light.

 

[buckshot721]

I'm was surprised that JD did not have them on the 2305 when i was looking at them (my old timer 425 has one). So I have been scoping out a plan to install a gauge on mine. I don't trust lights. About the only place I can see, with the gauges I've been looking would be the lower left side of the dash panel. Unless I can find a small digital one some where.

 

[xcopterdoc]

230 plus or minus 5 degrees is correct. You may also have a pto cutoff circuit. When the engine temp reaches 230 the light comes on and the pto cuts off to reduce load on the engine. When the temp comes down the pto can be restarted after cycling the pto sw off then on. So in fact you have 2 indications of a problem, the light and the fact that the pto shut off.

 

[Brian]

230 plus or minus 5 degrees is correct. You may also have a pto cutoff circuit. When the engine temp reaches 230 the light comes on and the pto cuts off to reduce load on the engine. When the temp comes down the pto can be restarted after cycling the pto sw off then on. So in fact you have 2 indications of a problem, the light and the fact that the pto shut off.

That is an excellent idea. If the PTO shut off it would force to to look down and say WTF. :thumbup1gif:

That would be an excellent how to.

 

[ljnelson109]

I really like the PTO cut-off idea. My PTO did not cut-off, so I guess that is not a standard solution on my model/year. I really like the idea of adding that. I can't imagine that would be very difficult. Sounds like another reason to invest in a shop manual. It would be much easier with a wiring diagram.

Lee

 

[Kennyd]

Similar thread here: http://www.greentractortalk.com/for...08-I-think-the-head-gasket-is-shot-on-my-2320

 

[ljnelson109]

Similar thread here: http://www.greentractortalk.com/for...08-I-think-the-head-gasket-is-shot-on-my-2320

Thanks Kenny. I saw that and was intentionally NOT drawing a comparison! Living in denial..... That is the outcome I am hoping to avoid. I think it is time to seriously consider that temperature light/PTO switch integration.

 

[dieselshadow]

After reading about this I sure am glad the new 102x series includes this feature from the factory. I would've thought that the 2000 series tractors were also equipped this way.:unknown: