This thread was started to share a couple of tricks that may have been mentioned elsewhere.
I've got a couple of Sportsman machines, use them in ranch work. They are well taken care of but they earn their living. We never submerge or abuse them but we do work them hard, spraying brush, catching cattle, checking fences, etc.
Overheating was a regular problem each summer.
The biggest culprit has always been seeds (grass and weeds) getting into the radiator fins. As you know it's a chore to pull the rad off, not to mention that tiny seeds are next to impossible to clean out. I've used compressed air, water hose, a/c coil foam, acid bath, heat, etc. You name it, I've tried it. None of it is quick or easy. Seeds don't like to turn loose.
The solution is two-fold:
1) Remove the radiator and get it as clean as possible. Put radiator back in and zip-tie a 12x12 pleated a/c filter directly onto the front of the rad. Each day blow the seeds off the filter by shooting compressed air through the front grill. You can order these filters by the case for a few bucks each. As long as you don't get them wet they last a long time.
2) Do the old automobile trick and pull out the thermostat. Because there is no gasket you will have to cut the guts out of the thermostat with a Dremel tool, leaving the hollow housing with the ring seal intact. That part is cleaned up with the brush wheel on your shop grinder to remove any burs. Put it back in the machine and you're good to go.
We have had plenty of days in the high 90s to low 100s, working the machines hard, and the fan only runs part of the time.
NOTE: Make sure to order a new thermostat for putting back in the machine when the weather cools off. Otherwise the engine won't warm up properly.
This has been a HUGE time and trouble saver for me.
Hope it helps some of you!