Best Penetrating Fluid?

skyhook · Jun 2, 2014

Depending on the size of the fill hole, you can buy rubber plugs,
the kind you see at the bottom of a boat, twist the top and the rubber expands.

HillStreet · Jun 2, 2014

Flusher,

No chance of reaching the key. The fan is manufactured with the blades welded to a round hub that slides over the shaft. I will try to describe it this way: think of a PVC pipe cap that slides over the pipe. The end of the cap has a 3/8 hole drilled into it for the bolt to hold the fan hub on the shaft. It is all concealed, can't get to the key. According to the diagram, the key is straight and flat, not a woodruff key.

HillStreet · Jun 2, 2014

Skyhook, I thought about the rubber plugs but prefer to do it by machining a new one.

At any rate, the blower is at the Kubota dealer now for repair. I'll let you know the outcome.

HillStreet · Jul 18, 2014

UPDATE from the OP. I just picked up this Meteor SB51 from the local Kubota dealer repair shop.

They removed the fan with a "rose bud" torch and some sort of air hammer tool on the shaft. The gearbox was removed and tapped for a new plug. I connected it to the tractor when I got home and ran it for 10 minutes at PTO rpm. Good as new.

Tomorrow I will clean and touch up paint it and park it back in the shed until winter. Kudos to the repair guy for saving the gearbox, big money to replace that.

While I was at the dealer I bought all fluids and filters for the upcoming service cycle. Not in a hurry as It's too hot now to do any heavy work outside --- I have that option because I'm retired.

stingray1 · Jul 31, 2014

RedNeckRacin said:
You guys may not believe this, but a torch and a candle work wonders. Heat up the back side of the fastener for a min or so, then melt the wax in the threads on the back side, works like a charm!

I also do this when all else fails,I agree "works like a charm"

Mace Canute · Aug 1, 2014

HillStreet said:
UPDATE: Brought the snowblower to the Kubota dealer yesterday, tired of fooling with it. Should have it back in 2 weeks or so.

HillStreet said:
I have a reputation of never quitting and have the scars to prove it. But this thing beat me. The dealer said he'll tell me what he did to get it off, that is if he does get it off. Then I'll share.

It's now been a full 2 months. What did the dealer do?