A tractor cooling system comprised of various components, including a water pump and a radiator. These two main components of the tractor cooling system differ in their functions, breakage problems, and preventive and corrective maintenance procedures.

A basic pump is made up of three main parts and a number of smaller minor parts.

The three main components are the outer casing, the center shaft, and the water impeller. One end of the impeller shaft fits into the circular impeller and the other end of the impeller fits into the housing. The impeller fits into the housing through a sealed bearing and a copper bushing called a shaft deflector.

A section of the impeller shaft protrudes from the casing and a single or double groove pulley is placed over it. A wrench is used to ensure that the pulley does not slip off the shaft.

Continuous shaft rotation, which rotates the impeller, pulley, and fan blades, will wear out over time due to normal wear and tear. The sealed bearing will damage over time, as will the copper bushings. The impeller can corrode over time due to continuous cavitation of the coolant flowing through it.

These damaged bearings and bushings will initially lead to slight vibrations and then a small leakage of coolant through the bearing area. At this time, it is advisable to change the water pump.

On older Allis Chalmers, Case, IH, John Deere, Massey Ferguson, Ford, New Holland, Kubota, Deutz, David Brown, Farmall tractors, the water pump pulley is attached to the fan hub. If the leaking water pump is not replaced, there is a risk that the bearing will break completely. This complete braking will cause the pump pulley and hub to spin dangerously, and the fan blades can cut into the radiator, producing additional faulty components, i.e. damaged radiator and fan blades.

On newer tractors, the fan blades are electrically driven and separate from the hub and pulley system.

Regular inspection of the pump can prevent this, or better yet, the pump should be changed after a certain number of hours of operation. A leaking pump can be quickly repaired with a water pump repair kit. Repair kit components may include an impeller, impeller shaft, packing, bushings, bearings, and retail clips.

If the pump casing is damaged, then it is necessary to change the entire water pump.

Some housings are stamped with a number. Get that number and call your parts supplier.