BX2230 overheat ? Battery light ?

[Lspark]

Newb here. So yesterday I started up my BX2230 for a mow, and was about 15 min into mowing and i noticed my “battery” light was on. Might have been on for a bit and i didnt see it as a lot of dust on my panel.

Any rate, I didnt think it was a big deal, since the tractor was on and running. (I wasnt aware it wasnt just a charge indicator)

I was on a fairly steep portion of a hill and I was turning and i saw steam coming out of the lower r panel from the engine housing and the temp gauge jumped up to just a shade under the red line.
Turned it off and shut in down and left it on the side of the hill for the night to cool down.

looking at it this morning it appears the steam was coming out of overflow hose from radiator. Opened radiator and it looked like it needed water so I put a gallon of water in radiator.
It started right up and i drove it 100 yards to where Its level and I can work on it. on it.

Soooo.. where would you start looking ?
Was the overheating related to the battery or charge light on the dash being on ?


I will be changing out anti-freeze. It doesn’t appear its hose related but I have not looked closely. Been a while since
ive dealt with anything overheating. I keep the radiator screen pretty clean and it seems like i cleaned it about a month ago. But..
any advice appreciated.

 

[Henro]

Check the fan belt. It drives the alternator/generator and the fan pulling air through the radiator. May be slipping or broken/missing. Probably slipping but who knows?

 

[armylifer]

It sounds like your fan belt is loose. If so, that would cause both the over-heating problem as well as the battery light to come on. Check your if your fan belt is tension is correct.

 

[armylifer]

Check the fan belt. It drives the alternator/generator and the fan pulling air through the radiator. May be slipping or broken/missing. Probably slipping but who knows?

Henro, you beat me by a second or two but it seems like we both think alike on this one. For the first step anyway.

 

[85Hokie]

I am wondering IF the belt is still there!!!
A loose belt would definitely cause both problems... but broken belt gets you there very quickly!

" about 15 min into mowing " OP said......

 

[armylifer]

I am wondering IF the belt is still there!!!
A loose belt would definitely cause both problems... but broken belt gets you there very quickly!

" about 15 min into mowing " OP said......

I thought the same thing but I figured that if he checked for belt tension he would immediately notice if it was broken when he put the water in the overflow bottle. I would think that he would have noticed a broken belt right then. That is why I suggested checking belt tension.

 

[Lspark]

Thanks to all the replies. I plan to spend some time looking at on saturday. I cant seem to get more than 10 min away from the computer during this work from home stage. You guys have given me some great things to consider and start to look into. i bought tractor with about 400 hrs on it am approaching 800.

 

[armylifer]

since you since you have eight hundred hours on your tractor now it is it needs service. You may want to check if the hydraulic fluid has been replaced, and if the filters need replacement also. If you have already done these services, disregard

 

[whitetiger]

since you since you have eight hundred hours on your tractor now it is it needs service. You may want to check if the hydraulic fluid has been replaced, and if the filters need replacement also. If you have already done these services, disregard

Check the dynamo also, a bearing may have failed, causing it to lock up. When you turn one by hand, you will feel it jerk as the rotor pass the magnets. Do not get worried if it does turn and is not smooth.

 

[Lspark]

Well. I looked it over. Radiator still full. No apparent leaks, fan belt seems to have adequate tension. I pulled the screen out and it was essentially clean, there was, however, a slight build up of fine wet leaves and dust that has slipped thru that screen. Blew it all out it with air compressor and started her up, ran good, and went back to mowing. I mowed for 40 min and it never got hot, needle stayed in the lower qtr of guage.
So... i feel blessed not to have to screw around with something tomorrow. But I think I am going to change antifreeze tomorrow. Thanks for all your suggestions and tips.

 

[armylifer]

Thankfully for you it was not something more than just debris blocking the radiator. Have fun with your tractor often but take care of the old girl and she will work for many years to come.