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ssefick 
Bronze Level
Joined: 09 Feb 2022
Location: South Carolina
Points: 157
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 Topic: Radiator Leak
Posted: 27 Jun 2026 at 10:38am |
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I was taking the batteries out and accidently hit the radiator.
Now there is a hole. Leaking fluid.
What are my options here?
I'm guessing I am going to have replace that radiator. I've never done that before.
Anyone have any ideas about where I can source this?
I should probably start looking at the manual to sort out how to fix this, or should I be thinking more let my tractor mechanic deal with this.
Thanks!
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Lars(wi)
Orange Level Access
Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Permian Basin
Points: 8560
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Posted: 27 Jun 2026 at 11:22am |
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First, let us know what you are referring to. Tractor, auto, construction unit, standby generator?
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I tried to follow the science, but it was not there. I then followed the money, and that’s where I found the science.
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ssefick
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Joined: 09 Feb 2022
Location: South Carolina
Points: 157
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Posted: 27 Jun 2026 at 11:26am |
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Lars sorry. Allis chalmers 6080.
I forgot to add that detail. My apologies.
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KRAKMT
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Joined: 21 May 2010
Location: MT
Points: 108
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Posted: 27 Jun 2026 at 11:44am |
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I would pull it and take it to radiator shop.
Probably could use a cleanup and they should be able to fix.
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Ray54
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Joined: 22 Nov 2009
Location: Paso Robles, Ca
Points: 5009
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Posted: 27 Jun 2026 at 12:05pm |
I am not a radiator repairman, but have repaired such by pinching the leaking tube and soldering. The secret to soldering is clean the copper, and then clean it 2 or 3 more times. Then lots of flex. I use both paste and liquid.
In a I need it now a gob of silicon gasket maker in the pinched tube. It stayed for years before popper repair was made.
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ssefick
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Joined: 09 Feb 2022
Location: South Carolina
Points: 157
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Posted: 27 Jun 2026 at 2:03pm |
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What is a record? Replace all of the guts?
Sorry for the newbie question. Just started sheep farming 2 years ago.
The tractor is indespenable.
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Jim.ME
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Joined: 19 Nov 2016
Location: Maine
Points: 1007
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Posted: 27 Jun 2026 at 3:14pm |
If you mean a RECORE, that is when the core (tube and fin) assembly is replaced using the original top and bottom tanks as well as any side brackets.
Recore is a standard term where radiators are concerned, it is not a sheep farming term.  |
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KJCHRIS
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Joined: 21 Dec 2015
Location: WC Iowa
Points: 1025
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Posted: 28 Jun 2026 at 12:13am |
Finding a Radiator Repair Shop that has time to do the work may be the hardest part of your repair. A decade ago there were at least 3 good shops within 100 miles. They've all closed, there's 1 in Omaha, Ne. area, 120 miles, they're swamped with work. IF it's a minor leak affecting only 1 or 2 tubes. Maybe try as suggested; drain coolant so leak stops, clean, clean, clean, crimp area of leak and try soldering. OR maybe try finding an old plumber that knows how to sweat solder copper pipes and hire him to solder it.
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AC 200, CAH, AC185D bareback, AC 180D bareback, D17 III, WF. D17 Blackbar grill, NF. D15 SFW. Case 1175 CAH, Bobcat 543B,
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IBWD MIke
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Joined: 08 Apr 2012
Location: Newton Ia.
Points: 4423
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Posted: 28 Jun 2026 at 5:48am |
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Last spring I put too long a bolt in the grill of one of my 45's, screwed right into the top tank. After figuring out what I had done to cause the leak....... Made a small patch out of brass shim stock and soldered it on. Worked like a charm, didn't even have to pull the radiator. As mentioned before, clean, clean, and clean some more.
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PaulB
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Rocky Ridge Md
Points: 5435
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Posted: 28 Jun 2026 at 7:16am |
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There use to be at least 6 different radiator shops in the area around here. Generally they were always run by some crotchety old fart that was most often found playing cards under a single bare light bulb hanging from a long wire from the ceiling, that was the only light on in the entire place. Most of the time you'd be told you could pick it up in two weeks. You return in two weeks and be told, It's not ready come back tomorrow, then it would be ready. Always good work at a fair price, but always the same scenario, no matter which radiator shop I went to.
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If it was fun to pull in LOW gear, I could have a John Deere.
Real pullers don't have speed limits.
If you can't make it GO... make it SHINY
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Ray54
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Joined: 22 Nov 2009
Location: Paso Robles, Ca
Points: 5009
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Posted: 28 Jun 2026 at 5:46pm |
It would pay to check on price since most of us and not digging gold nuggets out of the ground. We had 2 shops in town, one very much like Paul talked off. The other run by an Asian, always hurrying. So sometimes you needed to pull it again so he could fix it more. Both now gone. The local NAPA store has another 60 to 80 miles away. You take a radiator in and they ship it free to a repair shop very near the other store.
I did one that way for a swather I did not need right away with a Ford gas in line 6. Ended up being $1200 when done. My laziness cost me a lot I think. But would of taken real effort to find something fit a 40 year old low production numbers machine. Considering I can buy new Chinea radiators for less than $150 for Ford Ranger trucks. But I must say a very nice job. Hopefully lasts longer than the swather will need it.
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