BX23 HST Fan Replacement

[Louie9816]

Like many others on this forum, I've wiped out the HST fan on my Kubota.
The removal of the old fan went very smoothly since I didn't have any
blades to get in the way. I need help now with the replacement of
the fan. Do I need to disassemble one of the couplings on the
propeller shaft to gain enough room to install the new fan??
Any good tricks floating around???

 

[leonz]

Your in for some major surgery.

FWIW One of the members had a 2 piece metal fan made at nearby machine shop using an OEM replacement as a model from what I remember.

I dount know if you would have room to install a pair of couplers to spilt the shaft in two pieces and install a new fan which would make your life easier.

A pair of lovejoy couplers would work if there is room.

 

[Louie9816]

The propeller shaft compressed enough to get the old one out, but not the new one in.
It appears that I only need to remove the C-clip and the coupling should slid off,Ha Ha.
My fear in doing this, is the last time I pulled a shaft from a coupling, I ended up
with a handful of needle bearings. It wasn't on a Kubota tractor, and the shop manual
is no help.

 

[TripleR]

There are quite a few posts on this:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...80114-bx-24-transmission-fan-replacement.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...bx2660-hydrostatic-transmission-fan-gone.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...hydrostatic-transmission-fan-replacement.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...54844-bx-25-hydrostatic-transmission-fan.html

 

[ultrarunner]

Are you running a skid plate or OEM?

A couple of months ago, I feared the worst when I heard a strange noise... turning out a very long switch snaked it's way past the skid plate and was hitting the fan... close, but no damage.

I feel your pain...

 

[Louie9816]

The sad part is I was getting ready to order from Bro-Tek their
Skid pads, but to late. I have since ordered them but the fan
still needs replacing. I could sware that I saw an entry in this forum
that indicated that the BX23 was easier to do than the later BX24/25.
Can't find it anymore.

 

[shownuff]

I think I saw that the bx 23 you dont have to move the engine forward,just work on the shaft

 

[tommu56]

I've never had the pleasure to replace it but there is suppose to be enough play to get the shaft out.

I do have a skid plate but won't hesitate to cut the shaft if it wont come out and key it and put a rigid shaft coupling on.

tom

 

[Louie9816]

Based upon the responses, and links, provided in those
responses, I believe that Kubota made a design change
in the area of the HST fan shaft from the BX23 to the
BX24/25. The propeller shaft couplings look completely
different, and larger, than the ones on my BX23. This
may be the reason there is so much discussion about moving
the engine to install the new fan. Just a guess on my part.

 

[Tachdriver]

Someone needs to come up with a definite repair for this reoccurring problem. The "cut the shaft" seems like a good one - but I have not seen any data where anyone actually did it, with pictures.

The "split the fan" seems to be the most popular fix.


later

 

[Louie9816]

I would like to add the information from my Kubota Workshop Manual
for the BX23. This is the only info in the manual that I've found, and it
includes some additional activities unrelated to the HST fan, but I including
it for completeness.

Parking Pedal, Propeller Shaft assembly and Tie-rod
1. Unhook the spring(1) and remove the parking pedal(2).
2. Disconnect the front coupling(5) and remove the propeller shaft
assembly(3).
3. Remove the HST fan(7) from the propeller shaft assembly(3).
4. Remove the tie-rod(4).
(When reassembling)
* Apply grease to inside of the front coupling and rear coupling.

I'm hoping that someone reads Kubota-ize, and can tell me what they
are asking me to grease on reassembly, if not the splines inside the
front and rear couplings. If yes, are they saying I should have removed
the couplings during the fan replacement?:confused2:

 

[Louie9816]

I'm carefully back in the woods trenching with my BX23. My friend,
whose a shade tree mechanic, stopped by, and with his very small
hands, and my holding the propeller shaft compressed, that 1/4 to 1/2 an inch, he was able to install the new fan and hub. Knowing the nonsense I
went through with my BX23, I feel very sorry for you folks with the later
BX models should you need to replace the HST fan. If any BX23 owners
need some insight into what we did, just post it, and I'll be happy to
share.

Thanks to all responders who tried to help.:thumbsup:

 

[ultrarunner]

Great to hear your back in business!!!

Even with the shield... it doesn't provide 100% protection.

In the case of the BX fan... knowledge is power.