SVL95-2S Running Hot with Drum Mulcher (solved)

Mikestolarik

Member

Equipment
SVL95-2s
Feb 14, 2022
99
14
18
Florence, Alabama
If your having a problem with your SVL95-2S getting hot, there are a lot of good possibilities listed below. The list consist of items that have worked for some folks in the past. I appreciate all the input that folk supplied. All suggestions were helpful.

Im running a Loftness Battle-Ax mulching head (carbide teeth) with an external Loftness dual fan cooler.

Problem fixed: The resolution for my Skid Steer was that the engine's cooling fan was on backwards. See below for correct orientation.
Note: Just because an combustion engine's fan is on backwards, does NOT mean the the fan pushes air in the opposite direction. Either way, the fan will still suck air through the engine compartment and blow air OUT of the radiator. The difference is; if the fan is on backwards, the fan blades flatten out, reducing the amount of air flowing through the radiator and engine compartment.

Today 7/23/22, I completed a full 10 hours of operation and the skidsteer engine did NOT overheat. Even though ambient temp was +90 degrees and a massive amount of dirt dust when mulching, the temp gage did not reach the 3/4 mark.
Notes from 7/11/22
While in the shop, After checking and trying multiple things to resolve the problem, a mechanic noticed that the fan orientation on my machine was different than another SVL95 that was in the shop.
He discovered that; The end of the fan blade has an extension or what I call a teardrop on the outer-end of the blade. He discovered that the orientation of the teardrop on the end of the blades is supposed to be facing clockwise. If the fan blade is at 12 o'clock, the teardrop should be facing the "1:00" position NOT the "11:00" position. Mine was facing the "11:00" position. I guessing that the fan was install the wrong way when the Loftness cooler was installed.

10/3/23 update: Putting the fan on in the correct orientation was the solution for me ALTHOUGH, after over a year of operation the machine began to over heat again. I discovered that I have gotten another piece of wood caught between the fan and the radiator. The piece of wood beat the radiator fins flat. I remove the radiator. Next; my girlfriend and I spent 7 hours straightening the fins back into position. Kubota sells a screen that prevents this from happening ($1000.00). I made my own out of 1/2 inch live stock wire. Good luck folks.

PREVIOUS NOTES:
Some Kubota SVL95’s definitely have an overheating problem when running mulcher. if you have a cooling system malfunction, an external cooler will do NOT prevent the overheating. At the time of my problem, at least five Kubota dealers were working on trying to resolve my problem. My problem had been going on from May 8, 2022. to July 5, 2022.
I lost over 28 days of business due to this problem. I even email a letter to Kubota Corporation and received no reply (shameful).

OVERHEATING PROBLEM:
When running the mulcher, the machine motor temperature continually increases (20-30 minutes in to operations) until "Hot" warning sounds off (code: 9114). If I let it cool to where the temperature reading is in the middle of the gage and begin mulching; it only takes an average of four minutes eleven seconds to overheat and sound the E9114 alarm.
Hydraulics stay a cool 175 degrees. The coolant is running around 237 degrees. It appears that the Mulcher puts too much of a load on the Kobota engine for the machine for it to stay cool.

If anyone would like to talk to me about this problem, please feel free to call me at 931-292-0145 (Three Oaks Property Management).

Hi folks, while running a mulcher: my SVL95-2S Skid Steer equip with a Loftness Battle-Ax 71 inch mulcher with Loftness external cooler; begins to run hot (temp light signal and buzzer but not overheating (code 9114), just running hot) after an hour of run time. If I keep operating the overheating shut down code (9115) signals to shut dow the machine.
Has anyone experienced this and found resolution.

Things that have been checked and tried. The below items CAN cause the SVL95 to overheat:

1. Kubota Dealers performed a full engine analyzation while mulching around nothing wrong.
2. Radiator: between the fins must be kept clean. Every three months, fins should be cleaned with a product such as Nu-Brite A/C fin cleaner. Remove the radiator, lay flat on saw horses. Spray the top side with Nu-Brite until the Nu-Brite can be seen running out of the opposite side. Be generous with the Nu-Brite. When clean, you should be able to see a small amount of light between the fins. Remember the fins are in a Zig Zag pattern so you will not see "Full" light. Check for bent fins on the engine side of the radiator.
3. Motor venting clean and clear. Including the lift arm vents. Remove the door behind the tracks (four bolts. Only the top two bolt will come out all the way.
4. I checked the antifreeze.
5. Fan is spinning and pulling a lot of air through radiator. (pushing out)
6. Injectors all tested and changed ( running rich).
7. Check hydraulic fluid changed (12 gal, because I’m running a loftness cooler) and filter 10 hours ago.
8. Air filter new
9. DEF full, only use high grade.
10. Happens with with A/C on or off.
11. Does it with heater on or off.
12. 3/4 or full throttle; it does it.
13. Tried all different high flow setting right side 1-14 and left side from 1-9
14. Using mulcher with external dual fan hydraulic cooler. (Both fans running). The the ambient air is 95 degrees the hydraulic lines 127-137 max degrees.
15. A/C condenser clean and full light can shine through.
16. The inside of the machine is spotless with no debris in the bottom or in the lift arm cooling stacks.


Additional Information:

6/30/22: I fabricated a fan that sucks in ambient air into the engine compartment. This did NOT help one bit. I also wired my A/C fan to pull hot air out of the engine compartment instead of sucking air in. This did NOT help one bit. I also pulled the inspection panels off that are located behind the tracks. This did NOT help one bit.

5/30/22: Kubota dealer said the radiator was clogged. Used the mulched the next day, the machine overheated within the same time frame. I pulled the radiator out of the machine that evening and found 1-4 of the radiator fins bent over. Humm!. All fins were straightened and the radiator was cleaner with "New-Bite" again. Operated the next day, problem was still there.

5/21/21: As suggested by the first Kubota dealer; I transported my Skid Steer to a different Kubota dealer to see if they would have any better luck resolving this problem. I’ve been getting more and more folks contacting me with this same problem. The problem exists with and or without a cooler. All the Techs are still leaning towards the hydraulic pump/system being the culprit.

Update 5/18/22: The SS went back to Kubota Because it's still overheating. As requested, this time I delivered it with the mulching head on it. The tech spent most of the day testing the machine. He began by rechecked the new injectors to assure that all four were running correctly. They were.
Kubota Corp thought that the DEF Re-gen system might be clogged. They forced a re-gen and confirmed that the system was running at the correct temp and was not clogged. He operated the machine with his computer hooked to the system and sitting in his lap. Any time the mulching head was running the engine coolant temp rose significantly. Shut the head off and the temp began to lower. With this, he checked the engine and exhaust temps. He noted that the all engine and exhaust temps never increased enough to affect the coolant temp. This has lead him to believe that there could be a restriction somewhere in the hydraulic system. I'll have another update as soon as I know something.


Update 5/12/22: Took the machine to the Kubota dealer. On 5/2/22. motor still not throwing any codes. Motor is using 1/2 quart of oil every 300 hours. Kubota mechanic says that it normal usage. Mechanic checked port after the turbo to check for "oil burn". Turbo ports are clean with no residue.
After long deliberation, Kobota decided to send the injectors out to be tested. Three injectors were pushing too much diesel and failed the POP test.. Kubota warrantied all 4 injectors (zero cost for the repair).
***Mulched with the machine today: After 1/2 hour mulching, the machine is still overheating. Called
Kubota dealer, they said; tomorrow (5/13/22) they are going to set a conference call with Kubota to discuss the problem.

5/12/22: To eliminate the hydraulic system as the problem. I jumped the fans in the Loftness hydraulic cooler that is mounted on the top of the machine. When the fans are on (all the time), the hydraulic system is running at 125 degrees, and the motor still gets hot.
5/22/22: Kubota suggested setting the high flow settings from right side 14 left side 9 to 12-8 respectively. Machine still overheated.

Update: 4/25/22: Changed the thermostat and both belts. Machine continues to run hot while running the mulcher. The longer I use the machine the hotter it gets.



Thanks for your help
Mike
 
Last edited:

mattwithcats

Active member
Jun 17, 2017
772
63
28
Virginia
Check temperature of upper and lower radiator hose, top and bottom of radiator.

Careful, they are hot enough to burn you, and watch the fan!

The bottom one should be hot, the top warm.

If not, I suspect water pump first, then radiator second…
 

Mikestolarik

Member

Equipment
SVL95-2s
Feb 14, 2022
99
14
18
Florence, Alabama
Check temperature of upper and lower radiator hose, top and bottom of radiator.

Careful, they are hot enough to burn you, and watch the fan!

The bottom one should be hot, the top warm.

If not, I suspect water pump first, then radiator second…
Great suggestion I didn’t think to do that, thanks.
And you are very correct, once I had a car where the impeller on the water pump began to slip, causing it to run a little hot.
 

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
9,594
3,883
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
OK, I know, silly question but...
as the fan's pulling lots of air in..where ,does it go afterwards ?
Could dirt/mud/?? plug up the exit holes in the 'armour' ??
 

Mikestolarik

Member

Equipment
SVL95-2s
Feb 14, 2022
99
14
18
Florence, Alabama
OK, I know, silly question but...
as the fan's pulling lots of air in..where ,does it go afterwards ?
Could dirt/mud/?? plug up the exit holes in the 'armour' ??
That’s is a good question. I cleaned inside the belly and cleaned out the inspection covers at the rear of the tracks about four weeks ago, but the holes could be blocked already. It’s supposed to rain here Monday so, I’ll open them up and check them
Thanks
 

Mikestolarik

Member

Equipment
SVL95-2s
Feb 14, 2022
99
14
18
Florence, Alabama
Is this the light that is coming on?
No sir, it’s the light picturing the motor cylinder with the thermometer next to it. (Attached). when running the machine for a long period of time the warning beeps three times, then the temperature light flashes two or three times, then it shut off for five or 10 minutes and then repeats
 

Attachments

rentthis

Member
Lifetime Member
May 30, 2012
997
21
18
summerville,sc
If your fan belt is glazed, it might heat up in a couple of hours and slip enough to heat the engine. This is way to simple to be the problem but simple is good.
 

Mikestolarik

Member

Equipment
SVL95-2s
Feb 14, 2022
99
14
18
Florence, Alabama
G
If your fan belt is glazed, it might heat up in a couple of hours and slip enough to heat the engine. This is way to simple to be the problem but simple is good.
That’s a good idea to check. It squeals for about 5-7 seconds when I start it up. I’ll change it. and post the result
 

Mikestolarik

Member

Equipment
SVL95-2s
Feb 14, 2022
99
14
18
Florence, Alabama
That’s is a good question. I cleaned inside the belly and cleaned out the inspection covers at the rear of the tracks about four weeks ago, but the holes could be blocked already. It’s supposed to rain here Monday so, I’ll open them up and check them
Thanks
I inspected the air exhaust cavities and they were somewhat full. I cleaned them out really good, but it is still getting hot a few hours of running. I discovered that if you use a “mulcher”, the air exhaust cavities can become somewhat full after 10-12 hours of operations. Although cleaning them didn’t solve my problem, I will be cleaning them after every mulching job.
Thanks for the good idea.
 

Mikestolarik

Member

Equipment
SVL95-2s
Feb 14, 2022
99
14
18
Florence, Alabama
Check temperature of upper and lower radiator hose, top and bottom of radiator.

Careful, they are hot enough to burn you, and watch the fan!

The bottom one should be hot, the top warm.

If not, I suspect water pump first, then radiator second…
Temps are :
Top- 96 to 140 degrees
Bottom- 85-89 degrees
When over heating: the top hose is 225 degrees, bottom hose 189 degrees.
Appears that the high temp is coming from motors internal workings.
 
Last edited:

Mikestolarik

Member

Equipment
SVL95-2s
Feb 14, 2022
99
14
18
Florence, Alabama
G

That’s a good idea to check. It squeals for about 5-7 seconds when I start it up. I’ll change it. and post the result
I changed the belt and the thermostat. set belt to manufacture specs. Tried turn fan with hand and was tight but not tight enough to have premature wear on water pump bearing.
Problem is still present.
 

Mikestolarik

Member

Equipment
SVL95-2s
Feb 14, 2022
99
14
18
Florence, Alabama
That’s is a good question. I cleaned inside the belly and cleaned out the inspection covers at the rear of the tracks about four weeks ago, but the holes could be blocked already. It’s supposed to rain here Monday so, I’ll open them up and check them
Thanks
5/12/22: I'm keeping the air ports clean and free fro debris. Problem still present.
 

Mikestolarik

Member

Equipment
SVL95-2s
Feb 14, 2022
99
14
18
Florence, Alabama
To the folks who are following. I updated the original post on 5/12/22. if you wish to read, please scroll back to the top. to say the least; This problem is becoming very interesting.
 

lugbolt

Well-known member

Equipment
ZG127S-54
Oct 15, 2015
4,791
1,570
113
Mid, South, USA
any leaks? Coolant ever low? Do you have to add any at any time?

Next thing to look at. Engine cold in the morning take the radiator cap off. Start the engine. Go back to the radiator while the engine is idling. Any bubbles will indicate a leaking head gasket or cracked head or both. Or maybe the head bolts aren't proper....was a bulletin for that on some of them as I remember.
 

Mikestolarik

Member

Equipment
SVL95-2s
Feb 14, 2022
99
14
18
Florence, Alabama
any leaks? Coolant ever low? Do you have to add any at any time?

Next thing to look at. Engine cold in the morning take the radiator cap off. Start the engine. Go back to the radiator while the engine is idling. Any bubbles will indicate a leaking head gasket or cracked head or both. Or maybe the head bolts aren't proper....was a bulletin for that on some of them as I remember.
Hi, nope, no leaks anywhere.
I haven’t checked the radiator for small bubbles. I’ll do that tomorrow morning.