radiators and dust

[kf_tree]

while we were waiting for our new bucket altec gave us a loner truck. the truck only had 11,000 mile on it and the condenser, intercooler and radiator were packed with sawdust. we just got the new truck last night so i spent about 3 hours making a frame for a screen and mounted it in front of the condenser to protect the condenser , intercooler and radiater. the truck is a 2002 gmc 7500 . how do you guys deal with all the saw dust. the truck has air brakes so i want to set up a blower off the compresser to blow it out. any other ideas?

 

[DDM]

On the Chipper i usually use a Water hose and wash it out If done regularly it wont get too packed in. Ive never noticed any in the Bucket truck Radiator.

 

[treeclimber165]

When I was working for a local city several years ago, we got a couple new trucks and they had AIR CONDITIONING! A couple of us got in the habit of leaving the trucks running while chipping and the A/C in the chip truck wasn't working so good after less than 6 months. Sawdust was the culprit.
Had a 3 yr old bucket truck at Davey tree that kept running hot. The shop foreman said the radiator needed to be re-cored, and he couldn't get it scheduled for a week. I washed the radiator out from BOTH directions with a hose and water pistol for about 15 minutes. No more overheating, never had to spend big bucks on the radiator.
Washing out the radiator fins on a regular basis- every couple weeks/months/whatever- will go a long way towards saving you from future problems.

 

[geofore]

I hope you blow out your saws a little more often than the truck, it keeps them from overheating and dying young. Maintainance is important and it pays big time to have a regular schedule. While you're at it check the condenser on the fridge for me honey? Don't you just love the wife looking at what you are posting?

 

[treeclimber165]

My climbing saw gets blown out (including bar and around sprocket) every 2-3 days, or about every 10 tanks of fuel. I usually do all my other saws at the same time, even if I haven't used them much.

 

[DDM]

Hmmmm i do that daily Just because.