BX2660 HST fan GONE, gone, gone...

[bp fick]

That filter, while somewhat vulnerable is one very thick skinned dude. Could a rock take it out? Sure. Would you notice pretty quickly that you blew it out? You'd like hear it, feel it and then what? Well, you'd stop. Turn off the machine. Have a few thoughts you'll have to explain to Jesus and then go get the truck and tow it back to the shop. No problem. At least, no lasting problem.

The Kubota protection plate isn't a skid plate. It isn't perfect. On another thread today, a fella fabbed up an extension. Looks great!!!!

No one expects perfection from the shields, extensions and guards, but to do NOTHING is almost reckless. There have even been cases reported that a stick went over the MMM and still took out the fan.

As for a poor design, yup. It is. Likely cheap too! Used by most OEMs for small tractors of this size and below, not just Kubota. Frankly, it is way past time, 10 years too long, to have offered a simple, hinged/clip replacement fan. Honestly, that's all. A simple, 10 minute install, easy to fix replacement/repair part. THAT is where the complaining needs to be directed, imho.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Can a non-BXer ask why the fan is a bigger stick magnet than the hydraulic filter? From the pictures John Thomas posted it looks like the hydraulic filter is FAR more exposed than the fan.

I've put a stick through my radiator so I vaguely know how y'all feel.

Because it's to easy to replace!
I agree with inky05, the filter being rounded and slick probably deflects sticks. Now from experience, the oil filter does not deflect a loose drive shaft. Make sure your drive shaft on the MMM clicks locked into place when installing it.

 

[arrabil]

Because it's to easy to replace!

Ah, the Murphically correct answer.

Personally, I've learned not to drive over any sticks. In my woods I'll get out and pick them up or use the loader to clear a path.

 

[DavidAubke]

Apparently SEohDave reports:
"I have done the glue trick with my HST fan. I cut through it once at a point halfway between the two mounting bolts. After twisting it around the drive shaft and bolting it down, it felt quite sturdy. I gave it a test run. I wasn't considering calling it finished at that point but I figured if it held together reasonably well at that point, the glue might just have a chance.

After revving the engine to about 3K, the fan didn't even seem to flex. Before gluing up, I wrapped a zip tie around the fan hub. Then mixed up a batch of slow-set epoxy and slathered it across the cut and also around the zip tie to help it stay in place.

I've put about 20 more hours on it since then and it's holding up fine."

Interesting, they don't actually cut the fan in half, merely cut a slice into it so that it can be spread a little and then wiggled into place. Then glue, epoxy, or super glue. I would absolutely try it. I'd buy two as well, in case I didn't like my first attempt. I tend to do better on things the second time.

Unfortunately I did that job before it occurred to me to take pictures.

It's been about 60 hours since the glue repair. I can't see the fan due to the front and rear Bro-Tek plates but I can still feel the breeze coming out of the 3PH relief valve control at my feet.

 

[aczlan]

Going slightly offtopic here, but did anyone else have The Righteous Brothers - You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' go through their head when they read the title of this thread?

Aaron Z

 

[imajeepnut]

That's a good one! Perfect actually... And I did lose that lovin' feelin' that day.....

Baby baby...I get/got down on my knees etc..... and saw the pieces of my heart/fan shattered on the ground!! :thumbsup:

 

[imajeepnut]

Dave...tell me again exactly how you handled your fan replacement. Did you leave the original fan hub on? Or... did you cut it off the shaft and attach the new fan to the mounting plate somehow?

 

[DavidAubke]

Dave...tell me again exactly how you handled your fan replacement. Did you leave the original fan hub on? Or... did you cut it off the shaft and attach the new fan to the mounting plate somehow?

It kills me that I didn't document this better. I didn't know at the time that this was such a common issue.

I replaced the entire fan... cut the old one off, hub and all. I had already disconnected the driveshaft from the transmission and was able to pull it back far enough that I could get to the fan's mounting bolts.

I made sure that the single cut I made in the new fan was centered between the two mounting holes, i.e. as far away from them as possible. After I bolted the new fan into place, it sure seemed like I could have called it quits right there. It seemed very sturdy and stood up well to a short test. With the zip tie and glue added, I feel confident it will last quite a while.

There's no need to cut the fan twice. It's not hard to twist it over the shaft with one cut. No need to weaken it any further.

I've read something about screws holding the hub together. Maybe I've misunderstood what was meant but I'd be worried about throwing it out of balance.

 

[imajeepnut]

Dave....did you do this from underneath the tractor or did you remove the deck and fenders?

Also...do you remember how far the driveshaft will move.

What holds the original fan in place...screws or bolts?

What did you use to remove the screws/bolts....straight screwdriver or ratchet with a universal joint to bend around the fan?

Thanks Dave....this will help us to save time.

 

[DavidAubke]

Dave....did you do this from underneath the tractor or did you remove the deck and fenders?

Also...do you remember how far the driveshaft will move.

What holds the original fan in place...screws or bolts?

What did you use to remove the screws/bolts....straight screwdriver or ratchet with a universal joint to bend around the fan?

Thanks Dave....this will help us to save time.

It may have been possible without removing the deck, ROPS and fender but it would have been a real hassle. I really don't think it would be worth it to try the job without access from above.

The driveshaft moved back about two inches. Almost enough to disengage from the transmission spindle but, of course not quite. This was enough distance to get a standard ratchet driven socket behind the fan and onto the two hex bolts that hold the fan to the shaft. I recall blocking the shaft after pulling it back - the retraction is spring-loaded.

So the fan's mounting bolts face the transmission and are down inside the hub. Pulling the shaft away gives enough clearance to get a wrench back there.