Radiator Specifications

When it comes to radiators for automotive/plant use then usually the more rows of cores and fins per inch will provide you with better cooling characteristics. For a given physical size of radiator.

Essentially the rows of the tubes refer to how many tubes deep the radiator core is. You say that your original has 24 vertical tubes.

If you were to take the top tank off, how are these tubes arranged?

Like this (Known as 2 row)

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or like this (Known as 3/triple row)

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The 4 and 5 row radiators just add rows within the space afforded by the top and bottom tanks (or side tanks if its a crossflow radiator.)

Now the 5 row radiator will allow greater cooling efficiency over a 3 row radiator. It may also have slightly smaller tubes so as to pack in the required tubes in a given core size.

The time you have an issue is when you use a smaller than stock radiator, i.e. if you replace a triple row core with a 2 or a single core radiator. Unless the machine is operating in low temperature climates where there is no problem of overheating.

Hope that helps.

Unless you live in Flagstaff, you want the max number of tubes and fins you can get.

You want maximum surface area to allow waste heat to "radiate" into the surrounding air. I guess, technically, it would be "convect" into the surrounding air.

Get the biggest one you can find.

Thanks, that all makes sense. I do understand it better now.

There are several factor to consider when spec-ing a radiator. Fins per inch, but you must consider the driving force of the air through the core also. More fins, harder to push air through the core! 8 to 10 fins per inch is typical for a cheap automotive radiator. Anything more than 14 fins per inch will require a hard driving fan and good shroud to get the job done. Then you must also think about the type of fins, cars and light truck use a fin that is a continuous strip that is woven between the tubes and simple pressure is all that transfers the heat from the fin to the tube. Industrial radiators have plate fins that are brazed to the tubes which not only helps transfer the heat out better, it also makes the radiator must stronger and able to withstand more shaking and vibrations. When it comes to radiators you do get what you pay for! I have been dealing with Commercial Radiator for 20+ years and Jim can build you whatever size, style and type of construction you want!!!! (602) 233-2066

Well, we're talking about," an older John Deere 410 backhoe that needs a new radiator. When trying to find a replacement for their part # AT32591."

Not cars, not trucks, not industrial radiators.

Tractor radiators.

If I need a radiator, I'll call "Jim".

Thanks.

significance of the number of tubes and fins per inch in the description of radiators Radiator is a heat exchanger. It is designed based on the amount of heat to be exchanged either by LMTD9 Logarithmic Mean Temperature Difference) or Effectiveness- NTU ( Number of Transfer Units).Fins are provides to augment the heat transfer area. fins per inch means number of fins per inch. Usually for air conditioning applications it is 15 to 18 FPI. It can be of smooth , or wavy or louvered type. Each type has different heat transfer coefficients.

Thanks again everyone! I went with the 5 tube/10 fins per inch.