rotary cutter

Recently purchased a Woods 840 rotary cutter for my Ford 841 (1958). Tractor overheats quickly when PTO is engaged for cutter. Not sure I am running the proper gear or speed? Any suggestions to keep temp down? Thanks.

You may have to use a lower gear and cut more slowly. Make sure the radiator is free of debris. You may need to flush the radiator if it has excessive mineral deposits inside. Make sure your fan belt is not too loose. Make sure the mower blades are sharp. Make sure you are running at the rated speed for maximun PTO horsepower. How wide is the mower? Maybe it is too big for the tractor.

Cutter is 7 ft. It was rated for 40-90 hp tractors. My Ford is a 50 hp. Cutter spins freely by hand. Grill is clean of debris, belt and fan ok. Will check Radiator for possible problem. Thanks!!

Have you got a thermostat in the tractor? Far too many people TRY to run without one. That"s a recipe for overheating. Also, is the timing (engine) where it should be? That"ll make one run hot too.

I do have a stat and that is the indicator to tractor overheating. Not sure on timing but seems fine. Have tried short and tall grass. No difference. As fast as it overheats (within 5 minutes) makes me think there is a malfunction somewhere. Only occurs when engaged PTO for cutter. Runs perfect temp performing other task not involving PTO. Thanks to all.

I don't have my "books" handy, but I'm thinking the 841 is less than 50- and it sounds like you may have too much cutter for the power available. Try taking partial swaths (after checking out the cooling system, of course).

Make sure the thermostat in the radiator is working properly. Clean out the radiator with a high pressure washer. Make sure the fluid level is adequate in the radiator. lastly, check and make sure your transmission fluid is full.

external_link rates the pto hp on the 841 as 37hp. Hal

Also......check to see that the overflow tube on the radiator is open all way from end to end.

Run the tractor in 3 gear in light stuff and 1 gear in the tall stuff. Sounds like you are working the machine a little on the hard side.

HTH

Don't rely on tractor data for that tractor or much else. The 801 series is 49hp

Does it overheat when you use the PTO on another application? Maybe something is wrong with the PTO, making it work the tractor harder than usual? (Stabbing in the dark.)

First use of the PTO. Have no other implements that require PTO. Seems to be in good operating order as it turns freely. Weekend warrior so don't have a lot of tractor/PTO/cutter knowledge. Thanks

"I do have a stat and that is the indicator to tractor overheating"...

Somehow I'm getting the impression you're talking about a TEMP GAUGE. I'm talking about the THERMOSTAT... internal to the cooling system. Controls flow of hot water into the radiator, cool water from radiator into block.

If in fact you ARE speaking of the temp gauge, do you KNOW for sure the engine is actually overheating and NOT simply a bad gauge and/or sending unit?

One thing I forgot to add: This is very rare, but I have seen water pump impellers worn away by corrsion. I would check that last.

You are correct, I am talking about the gauge. Wasn't aware of the difference. My apologies. Will check thermostat and water flow. Thank you...

Looks like they covered the cooling system, clean radiator, inside and out, check the thermostat to make sure it's opening when it gets hot enough, also make sure the radiator fins are not mashed, that will reduce cooling performance. Once you know that coolant system is good, then I'd be looking at what you are cutting and at what speed.

With these tractors, in heavy grass, brush or weeds, at 7 foot rotary cutter will definitely bog an 800 series down, make the motor work hard, and heat up, especially in higher gears, my 6 foot Rhino SE-6 is all this tractor wants in chest high grass, going up hill, 1st gear is best(mine is an 850 with the 5 speed) but I can get away with 2nd gear, the hills are short enough, that I can turn and it will cool off going back down the hill. It works real hard on the hills to keep up with a 6'-0" cutter in high grasses. Thick, moisture laden grasses, say early, mid summer, makes the tractor work hard, when things dry a bit, say like golden rod, mid summer, full height, 1st gear vs. now, (Oct.) it's dried down, can cut same in 3rd gear. Stuff is nasty this time of year, seed will clog the radiator in no time, but mine is open, missing the sheet metal/screen etc.,

Hopefully you have the book on that cutter, because I think with this set up, 800 series ford and that size cutter, you want to make sure it is properly adjusted and that your blades are new, (balanced at least) and sharp. Both good blades and proper adjustment, in my opinion, when stretching the HP/and torque range of one of these tractors, does make a significant difference in thick grasses, weeds, brush etc. One page out of the book for my cutter, really made a difference, that and new blades. It calls for the cutter to have the back higher than the front, I make sure to measure each side from the ground and adjust the level box so it's as close to level, side to side, all this just seems to make it perform better and less work for the tractor, might be more so with that 7'-0" Woods you have. I think and 800 will handle a 7'-0" cutter, depending on what you are cutting, but anything larger, you'll need lower gears than that 4 spd, to provide the torque and keep the RPMS up, and it would be better to have a thousand series with a 3 cyl., or similar type tractor with some more power and torque.

7 foot cutter is big boy cutter, not sure your tractor is up to it. I run a 5 foot with a 27 hp tractor, would do a 6 foot with my 960 Ford (same engine as you have) not sure a 7 foot is right.

When the distributor gets old on these tractors the timing gets off, and off timing can really make them heat up & then misfire. That happened to ours.

There were different fans, can get one with more blades, can help cool.

Buildup on the inside of the radiator can really slow down cooling. Can't really see it, good radiator shops can boil it out in a vat - then of course leaks often show up so they need to resolder it too.....

Old thermostat - or new one - not working right.

Impeller on the water pump worn out, doesn't move enough water.

Just some ideas.

--->Paul

Don't take a full swath and see if that helps and use the lower gears. Hal

I have a 35HP Mahindra E-350DI and Run a 5Ft. Bush hog, 2nd gear, High Side. Works Real nice! Larry KF4LKU

841 pto hp 44 gas, 39 diesel, 41 lp maybe wrong farm equipment guide...have to get to 901 series to get 50 and above...




MAY GOD BLESS THE USA

Dope in gearbox on mower. Eighty or Ninety weight or whatever it takes.