Really nice workmanship on the exchanger. You may have already thought about what am going to say but here goes anyways. In hydronic heating systems and water treatment applications, we use a term called reverse return. This means when you have systems that have flows through parallel paths you want the inlet and outlet headers connected at opposite ends. This provides for the same path lengths so the flow is balanced through each parallel path. Configured the way you have (hot or not) the major flow is likely to be across the top of the exchanger and the bottom of the exchanger will see almost no flow which would be equivalent to reducing the effective size of the exchanger. There are two ways to prevent this . One is to go in the bottom of the inlet header and out the top of the outlet header to push the air out of the exchanger and to balance the flow. The other way is to ensure the flow is very high, so each of the parallel paths act as a flow restrictor that forces fluid through all the other paths. Your headers is large enough to have very little pressure loss, if any, from one end to the other. I don't know if the return flow from the steering will be high enough to make the parallel paths act as flow restrictors. As mention else where, a dip tube inside the inlet header would accomplish the reverse return configuration and still allow you to connect at the top of the exchanger on both sides. The top connections on the exchanger allows the flexibility you need to get to the existing tractor connections. I have a 1026R and confirmed that the radiator for engine cooling is connected in a reverse return configuration. My hydraulic cooler is a serpentine tube with fins so each pass across the cooler is in series with the last. Also, my cooler has a larger face area. It cover almost all of the radiator. Love my upgraded HydrosPlus pump. After a little practice, I can do two function going up or down. The up boom with roll bucket took a little longer to get used to because of the extra flow required with both cylinder extending.
About what I was saying above, but oils viscocity changes a lot more with temp. For example if your 650 ton rolling turbine generato set has high bearing temp, your oil supply may be too cold. Counter intuitive but works.
Does the outlet side tank have a dip tube(with drilled hole for vent)? I can see that the steering flow being low will leave cold oil at no flow in the bottom tubes/ bottom of tanks, and the hot oil staying at the top couple of rows. Not a concern at double digit water flows with water having almost no viscosity change at normal temperstures. Probably why the stock coolers are tapped at bottom.
My first question/concern is does it have any impact on the engine cooling air flow? The reason I ask is that I live where the normal summer ambient are 90-100dgf and it is already sensitive to blockage of the front grill plate when I'm running the 2048 shredder. The next is how does this impact the access to the battery (external charger/replacement)? I could see a cooler upgrade for hotter regions of the country. But, I think the size is overkill for the need and the real obstruction it imposes on the engine cooling. I think something along 2" (rather than 3") in thickness in a form factor to 'drop in' in the existing length/height foot print of the original would be almost as effective with fewer potential negatives on engine cooling. The ports could be offset to the rear to provide alignment with the existing connections without necessitating cutting lines/hose installation. IMO - YMMV
The cooler doesn't impede air like when the filter gets clogged, but the air that passes through will be second hand, so there will likely be some impact to cooling. I live in 100+ temps and the only time I have cooling issues is when the screen gets clogged. Based on the air that is flowing through on this, I don't expect any significant increase in engine heat assuming the screen is clean. regarding the battery, you can charge and jump it with no issues, but the overhang will require that you pull the cooler out if you need to change it.
Wow, that looks nice! I imagine you might want to add a slot so you can install the radiator debris screen in front of the oil cooler. If the cooler only gets flow from the steering circuit, what percent of the oil gets cooled?
I used a 90Degree jic end and a 90 degree jic elbow to make the 180 from a power steering pump ( jeep liberty diesel ) this avoids an excessive small radius bend. The hose ends and elbows are available in short extension and a long extension. I dont crimp my own stuff( wish), discount hyd does it. Getting to have a box of cutom made errors from my own fit ups. I get high oil temp mowing due to grass chaff on the grill. This will mot change that, but I am interested. Your stage 3, and 1.75 lift cylinders going in this winter thanks.
This was one of the items I have been thinking about for my tractor too. I’ll be watching your testing for this one! How much testing until release? 😀. Could you integrate a removable screen like the radiator has? That would be nice for keeping grass out of the cooler.
Yes, definitely considering that, but have to make sure that it doesn't make the install procedure too tough since hard lines are harder to navigate around in the tight space.
The 2023 models have really large LED light enclosures. I Don't think it would fit for those owners. I bet having larger fluid capacities could extend oil change intervals. Lab testing could very that. 👍
