Hi Troops,
There have been chats about proper cooling on 3000 & 4000 series tractors. The belly pan is an important part of the hydraulic oil cooling on these tractors. Unfortunately this part frequently is not reinstalled following whatever type of servicing has been done to the area covered up by it. As the belly pan is secured in place with plastic push pins similar to those used in the automobile industry and frequently not reusable, the belly pan is not reinstalled.
As the belly pan covers most of the area under the mid portion of the tractor, it serves several purposes. First and most important is that it is part of the hydraulic oil cooling system. The engine flywheel mounted cooling fan draws air in and forces it around the engine cylinders to cool the engine. This air comes from the lower interior of the steering tower. The lower L/H side of the steering tower is the location of the hydraulic oil cooler. The air flow thru this cooler is supplied by the engine drawing in air with its fan. The belly pan covers most of the lower part of this area on the tractor which directs air flow thru the oil cooler. Additionally, the belly pan reduces grass clipping accumulation on the engine cooing fan screen, however in time cleaning of these areas is necessary.
Pics of the belly pan installation on my 1989 4018 which has manual steering.
There have been chats about proper cooling on 3000 & 4000 series tractors. The belly pan is an important part of the hydraulic oil cooling on these tractors. Unfortunately this part frequently is not reinstalled following whatever type of servicing has been done to the area covered up by it. As the belly pan is secured in place with plastic push pins similar to those used in the automobile industry and frequently not reusable, the belly pan is not reinstalled.
As the belly pan covers most of the area under the mid portion of the tractor, it serves several purposes. First and most important is that it is part of the hydraulic oil cooling system. The engine flywheel mounted cooling fan draws air in and forces it around the engine cylinders to cool the engine. This air comes from the lower interior of the steering tower. The lower L/H side of the steering tower is the location of the hydraulic oil cooler. The air flow thru this cooler is supplied by the engine drawing in air with its fan. The belly pan covers most of the lower part of this area on the tractor which directs air flow thru the oil cooler. Additionally, the belly pan reduces grass clipping accumulation on the engine cooing fan screen, however in time cleaning of these areas is necessary.
Pics of the belly pan installation on my 1989 4018 which has manual steering.