Radiator Question

[Kubota Christian]

Somehow a 2" x 5" section of radiator fins got smashed over. Some of it is behind the HST transmission cooler. Can I remove the trans cooler and get to the radiator fins? Will anything leak? Will it let air into the system? Or can I just pull the HST mini-radiator, straighten the actual radiator fins, and put it all back? thx

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

pull the cooler and straiten the fins, check the fluid level after you run it a few min.

WORD OF WARNING:
Your going to do damage to it running it without the factory screen on the front!
#1 you will overheat it from all the debris getting lodged into the radiator fins.
#2 you will damage the HST from it not getting cooled!
In either case the cost of the repairs is going to far exceed the $151.56 (New) cost of the screen cover!
P/N 66204-51450

 

[Kubota Christian]

Thanks Wolfman. I've got the new box screen already but am waiting on mounting hardware. Dealer forgot to order it when I had it in for service. Supposed to be in this week. I won't run it again until it's all on correctly. Plus I found a local welder who is gonna set me up with a custom grill guard like the bx models have. Don't want to ever worry about protecting this $450 radiator again.

 

[rjcorazza]

On 4 different Kubotas (though not your model) I have enough room to get to the fins for straightening. Are you sure you can't get a small tool in there to straighten each fin?
Years ago I bought the special tool for the job, but it was easier to just straighten out each fin individually with a small screwdriver (and the screwdriver did a better job).

 

[Kubota Christian]

Rj, yes was able to do exactly as you said. Removed trans fluid cooler and straightened it and the radiator with small flathead screwdriver. Repainted it and you almost can't tell. Then I decided to zip tie on the grill net (black box) until the hardware kit comes in. At least it's protected and functional. Thanks for the advice.