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Clean those radiator fins

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Glen
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Clean those radiator fins

Postby Glen » Fri Jul 26, 2013 12:54 am

Hi,
I just wanted to mention that Cub radiators need the radiator core cooling fins cleaned, it's summer, and dusty. Mine gets dirt and grass in the fins. Clean them out with an air compressor blow gun, or water, garden hose with a nozzle. Have your engine off, and get in by the fan, and blow or wash it forward. If you have lots of stuff in front of the radiator core, you might need to take off the grille. They can't cool good with dirt in the fins. It takes some time to clean the whole core well. Wearing eye protection would be good too when using the air or water. Have a good day everyone, Glen. :)
Last edited by Glen on Fri Jul 26, 2013 3:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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pickerandsinger
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Zip Code: 13143
Tractors Owned: 1957 Cub Low Boy w/ FH Mott Flail Mower
1953 Cub w/ sprayer and 54A blade (Chompers)
1954 Cub w/fast hitch (Ira)
1948 Cub ( Papa Paul)with Henderson loader..
1951 Mutt mix Cub (BattleAx
1950 Farmall Cub (basket case demo)
Cub parts tractor
2019 " KuB"ota 2601 loader and roto tiller
1951 Ferguson TEA 20 (parts)( Uncle Rusty)
F/H Disc Harrow for cub L-38
C-22 Sickle Bar Mower
IH C2 and C3 mower
Universal tool attachment with disc hillers..Rear cultivators (various tips
York Rake for Cub home made
Single bottom Plow for Cub F194
Gravely 5660 12 hp/ w snoblower.rototiller,bush hog
Circle of Safety: Y

Re: Clean those radiator fins

Postby pickerandsinger » Fri Jul 26, 2013 5:25 am

Always be careful when cleaning a radiator with air....And if you pressure wash on occasion, stay away from the radiator and for that matter anyplace that may not be water tight...But your definenately right, mine was pretty smucked up the last time I cleaned it....I used mostly manual cleaning methods....It is something that is often overlooked..... :thanx: Dave
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Buzzard Wing
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Re: Clean those radiator fins

Postby Buzzard Wing » Fri Jul 26, 2013 6:06 am

Shop vac and for the 'second pass' I used a 'dust brush' head on it. If you need to straighten fins, carefully with a pair of thin flat nose pliers... carefully because the 'mechanical' connection of the fins to the core is what helps transfer heat.

Shop vac because stuff stuck to the front may not want to go through.
1971 Cub (Rufus) 1950 Cub (Cathy) 1965 Lo Boy Fast Hitch (Nameless III) 1970 Cub 1000 Loader & Fast Hitch (Lee)

glennhuff
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Re: Clean those radiator fins

Postby glennhuff » Fri Jul 26, 2013 10:14 am

Absolutely keep that radiator clean. I run heavy equipment for a living, and on equipment that gets dusty. like the brush cutters, and road sweeper, we try to blow out the radiator twice a day. Keeping the engine cool not only keeps things from overheating and warping, but also keeps the oil from getting hot and "burning". It would be difficult to work a cub hard enough to really get things hot (unless you were using it as intended, plowing from daylight till dark) but it will definitely be a lot happier, and last longer if the radiator can do it's job.

glenn

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Glen
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Posts: 6113
Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2012 7:33 pm
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Tractors Owned: 1956 Farmall Cub with Fast Hitch, F-11 plow, Disc, Cultivator, Cub-22 mower
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Location: Wa.

Re: Clean those radiator fins

Postby Glen » Fri Jul 26, 2013 3:00 pm

Hi,
Thanks for the comments guys. You're right Dave, wearing eye protection would be good when cleaning the radiator core. :)

indy61
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Re: Clean those radiator fins

Postby indy61 » Fri Jul 26, 2013 3:44 pm

Never had a problem with the fins and I've mowed weeds taller than the hood. The grille screen might need cleaned every now and then. Sometimes I wish the Cub would run hotter than it does.

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pickerandsinger
10+ Years
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Posts: 1501
Joined: Thu Oct 18, 2012 3:23 pm
Zip Code: 13143
Tractors Owned: 1957 Cub Low Boy w/ FH Mott Flail Mower
1953 Cub w/ sprayer and 54A blade (Chompers)
1954 Cub w/fast hitch (Ira)
1948 Cub ( Papa Paul)with Henderson loader..
1951 Mutt mix Cub (BattleAx
1950 Farmall Cub (basket case demo)
Cub parts tractor
2019 " KuB"ota 2601 loader and roto tiller
1951 Ferguson TEA 20 (parts)( Uncle Rusty)
F/H Disc Harrow for cub L-38
C-22 Sickle Bar Mower
IH C2 and C3 mower
Universal tool attachment with disc hillers..Rear cultivators (various tips
York Rake for Cub home made
Single bottom Plow for Cub F194
Gravely 5660 12 hp/ w snoblower.rototiller,bush hog
Circle of Safety: Y

Re: Clean those radiator fins

Postby pickerandsinger » Fri Jul 26, 2013 4:21 pm

indy61 wrote:Never had a problem with the fins and I've mowed weeds taller than the hood. The grille screen might need cleaned every now and then. Sometimes I wish the Cub would run hotter than it does.
[quote="indy61"] Can't tell by your zip (00000) but I suspect Indianapolis and you must plow snow with it to want it to run warmer ?????? Just fashion yourself a cover, you can get as fancy as you want....Zippers or snaps to adjust the air flow etc....Or the other extreme a piece of card board cut to your needs....Watch you don't overheat it though...Mine runs hot anyhow....Especially since I changed the radiator....(aftermarket thing)....I use -40 additive to keep it cool.....Dave
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Posco
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Re: Clean those radiator fins

Postby Posco » Fri Jul 26, 2013 6:04 pm

pickerandsinger wrote:Watch you don't overheat it though...Mine runs hot anyhow....Especially since I changed the radiator....(aftermarket thing)....I use -40 additive to keep it cool.....Dave


What do most people run year round? I drained the coolant in mine just to see if any corrosion broke free and drained. Looked like straight Prestone or an equivalent.

Posco
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Posts: 414
Joined: Sun Jul 14, 2013 11:24 pm
Zip Code: 04730
Tractors Owned: 1950 Cub...so far
Location: Houlton, Maine

Re: Clean those radiator fins

Postby Posco » Fri Jul 26, 2013 6:04 pm

pickerandsinger wrote:Watch you don't overheat it though...Mine runs hot anyhow....Especially since I changed the radiator....(aftermarket thing)....I use -40 additive to keep it cool.....Dave


What do most people run year round? I drained the coolant in mine just to see if any corrosion broke free and drained. Looked like straight Prestone or an equivalent.


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