Bent the fan

dylan · Dec 22, 2007

Well, in my snow blowing contract I have a nice little paragraph about how the customer must insure their driveway is free to obstacles like rocks, shovels, extension cord etc. This is because I'm tired of hitting stuff that should not be in the driveway in the first place especially because it destroys the equipment and can make me days late.

So we had the biggest storm we've seen in years the other day and I find a pile of firewood in a driveway. It got stuck right in the fan, bent one of the blades and the intake cover. About $500 plus the time to fix it. With it being Christmas and all, I might now get the part for weeks.

Then they want to know what took so long to get there!

Luckily I have the pusher as backup and another blade in the shop for emergencies.

Spudgunner · Dec 22, 2007

I dread this very same scenario. When I do a pre-removal "interview" I ask about obstacles but that's certainly not a guarantee. Plus, sometimes it's impossible to have a pre-removal interview. Had one like that this AM...fortunately there were no pieces of firewood, rocks, or kids' toys.

I've considered adding a clause to contracts that stipulates that the customer will pay for repairs should an undisclosed object be found that damages my equipment.

Good thing you have backup. Hope you get your parts soon. In case the readership might have a fan that you can buy, you might state what Make/Model of blower you have.

dylan · Dec 23, 2007

Good thinking thanks.
It is the bobcat sb200.

I do have the fan on order. If it gets airmailed in time it should be here tommorrow. Although Christmas is a busy time of year for delivery companies.

Spudgunner · Dec 23, 2007

Sounds like you are covered. Hopefully the fan will be a fairly easy part to replace. One would think/hope the fan and augers would be readily "changeout-able". I also have an sb200...do you have a service manual? If so, would you recommend it? I presently don't but was thinking about buying one.

timm9 · Dec 23, 2007

Dylan,

The change out on the fan is easy & quick. I know because one of my drivers got a piece of firewood in one of the blowers last year! It took a O/A torch to get it bent back enough to get the fan off!

Once the old fan is off it will take 5 minutes to install the new one.

I now have an extra fan for just such occasions! Save the old fan and take it to a specialty shop to straighten it. It's much cheaper than new.

Have a great Christmas and be greatful for the snow. Some of us have not had a plowable event this season!

Tim

dylan · Dec 24, 2007

Thanks for the tip on fixing it. I will do that.

I have seasonal contracts so i get paid if it snows or not. Right now, I would prefer the "or not"

Thanks
Have a Merry Christmas everyone.

dylan · Dec 29, 2007

Tim
I forgot to ask ... did you have to remove the auger to get the fan out or will it just slide out over the auger?
Thanks dylan

timm9 · Dec 30, 2007

Dylan,

You do not have to remove the Auger. Remove the two bolts/nuts holding the triangle shaped cover plate. Then remove the 6 or 8 nuts holding the fan and it can be "angled" and removed easily. Good luck and let me know if you have any trouble. If I remeber correctly, I had to heat and bend the cover plate back into shape.

Tim

dylan · Dec 30, 2007

Tim
Good that's what I was thinking. It would be little more time consuming to remove the auger because it it attached to my flip down back drag blade.
Should be a piece of cake (famous last words!) Can't wait till my new fan gets here. It's been a week now. We've had snow at least every second day for the last month.