Reversible fan retrofit anyone?

[dieselscout80]

It would be really nice to reverse the fan on my BX in the Winter to provide heat!! The BX fan pulls from the operator station toward the front of the machine, the ability to reverse the flow would negate the need for a dedicated heater!.

Great thought food!

BN

A heated seat/cushion would be an easy way to help with that.

 

[LouNY]

Many years ago back in the day of canvas heat housers the engine heat rolling back into the foot area of the wind protection was one of the nicer things. Back then my feet always got cold and stayed cold in the winter.

 

[Dman1981]

I have installed and repaired quite a few FLEXXAIRE fans they work really well you still need to do a good clean out once in awhile but will keep you in the seat
They can run off hydraulic or air I plumbed all mine to hydraulics only takes 200 to 300 psi to switch plus it comes with a valve so you can run off main pressure
You just need to run drain return oil direct
To tank
They are very durable for my customers
Weed abatement

 

[5030]

Electrically reversable cooling fans are a logical and much less expensive alternative. Minimal parasitic power loss as well.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Electrically reversable cooling fans are a logical and much less expensive alternative. Minimal parasitic power loss as well.

I've been told but no research on the subject, that electric fans don't move nearly the air that a mechanical fan does. I agree with your points though.

 

[5030]

I've been told but no research on the subject, that electric fans don't move nearly the air that a mechanical fan does. I agree with your points though.

Not sure about that actually. Air flow is entirely dependent on the number of blades, the pitch of the blades and the rotational RPM of the fan.

Lets just say I purchased 2, one for each of my M9's this last spring and I will be installing both this winter and they will both be electrically reverseable and manually controlled via a switch on the dash. No parasitic loss like a mechanically driven fan causes and probably an increase in power as well as better fuel efficiency.

I have no idea how much a rigid mount mechanical fan consumes power wise but I'd be willing to bet around 5-10 ponies, at speed.

The prime motivator why modern automobiles went to electric cooling fans, for increased fuel mileage and lower operating cost. Even viscous coupled cooling fans consume power when freewheeling.

Will see how that play out next spring as I have to fabricate the mounts to mount them and wire them up as well.

My 70 amp alternators are perfectly capable of powering them I'm sure.

I'm gonna go full manual activation on both.

I have all the stuff, just have to fab the mounts and install them. Been waiting for the off season to do it.

I have 80 bucks in each fan and they are 30" in diameter which is the largest ones I could buy and my inner rad shroud is 31" in diameter and I'm planning on putting them just inside the OEM shroud.

Once I do it, I'll start a thread and post the results.

 

[5030]

I have no idea why tractor builders don't at least use a viscous coupled fan instead of a rigid mount, but then maybe it is cost, who knows.

The one aspect I'm shooting for is instant reversing and I've looked at the hydraulic drive ones but the cost is prohibitive. I'll have less than 250 bucks in both. Of course I'll have to fab up the bracketry, no big deal, we do own a machine and fabrication shop after all.

As an aside, the impetus for me was the fact that I had to add a 12 volt pusher fan to the AC condenser in the engine bay on my M9's because the stock air flow from the mechanical fan was inadequate to keep up with the cab AC on hot days. The addition of that electric pusher fan made all the difference in the world as far as cab cooling on hot days.

Once I fab up and install the fans, I'll delete the pusher fan I now have attached to my condenser.

Who know, maybe I'll put together a kit and sell it if it works out. If not, I'm not out a bundle anyway.

However it plays, one thing for certain and that will be, it will be as plug and play as I can make it.

 

[CalG]

I've got an assortment of automotive (Audi) electric engine cooling fans hanging from the shop beams.

There may be a scheme that would provide sufficient air flow across the radiator to move chaff etc. when the tractor engine was not running.
A double pole, double throw, center off switch could provide supplemental flow, or reverse flow with the flip of a switch.

In credibly inexpensive to try, just hang the fan on the front, run some wires. See how it goes.

 

[5030]

I've got an assortment of automotive (Audi) electric engine cooling fans hanging from the shop beams.

There may be a scheme that would provide sufficient air flow across the radiator to move chaff etc. when the tractor engine was not running.
A double pole, double throw, center off switch could provide supplemental flow, or reverse flow with the flip of a switch.

In credibly inexpensive to try, just hang the fan on the front, run some wires. See how it goes.

That is the plan, sort of. I went with serious CFM above all else. I'll keep everyone apprised on the progress this spring. Fans are in the shop. I'll have to go out tomorrow and check the advertised CFM and cubic feet per minute airflow. They are quite large and they do pull some amperage, not that it's material as the alternator is usually loafing anyway. I don't believe they would work with a small tractor with limited alternator output but in my case, both units have 70 amp cans.

I'll go out to the shop tomorrow and list the specs for the fans I purchased.

 

[CalG]

That is the plan, sort of. I went with serious CFM above all else. I'll keep everyone apprised on the progress this spring. Fans are in the shop. I'll have to go out tomorrow and check the advertised CFM and cubic feet per minute airflow. They are quite large and they do pull some amperage, not that it's material as the alternator is usually loafing anyway. I don't believe they would work with a small tractor with limited alternator output but in my case, both units have 70 amp cans.

I'll go out to the shop tomorrow and list the specs for the fans I purchased.

The Audi fans were supplied by 12v power through a bank of resistors that provided three speeds. (and so power consumption.

If I were needing such counter flow, I would not remove the mechanical fan right off. Rather , use the electric air mover as described in my earlier post.

By the way, The Hurlimann Prince has a "pusher" cooling fan. i.e. front discharge. It still has a chaff screen.

The old Fordson needs the radiator blind pulled up tight nearly always, just to make 190 degrees. Too much radiator? Too much airflow? Not hard enough work? Or that I seldom put the old gal to work except in winter! ;-)