BX2750 snowblower

[Evil the Weasel]

On my old Kubota G2460 there was a support about 3' long that bolted to the side of the frame up front. At the near end of this rod was the rubber ring that the manual rotation shaft passed through. There was never any flex in the rod or any other problems with that. Why can't this support brace or a similar one be used for this application? I'm perplexed by what Kubota is trying to use for this purpose. I'm also thinking the owner shouldn't be left to mock up a solution for a new model tractor.

 

[huckflynn]

On my old Kubota G2460 there was a support about 3' long that bolted to the side of the frame up front. At the near end of this rod was the rubber ring that the manual rotation shaft passed through. There was never any flex in the rod or any other problems with that. Why can't this support brace or a similar one be used for this application? I'm perplexed by what Kubota is trying to use for this purpose. I'm also thinking the owner shouldn't be left to mock up a solution for a new model tractor.

I'm more than perplexed -- I'm very disappointed -- disgusted might be the best word. I know the brace you speak of -- that is how the earlier BX's were set up. I had no problems for 8 years with that setup.

Still, I can't sit around waiting for Kubota to do it right. John Dyer's hydraulic setup looked the best for a permanent solution for me. So I've ordered the parts and plan on working on it next week. This mock up was just for fun until the parts arrive.

 

[Dyer retired]

Deyer and escavader,

Thanks for the names of the dealers. I think that I found a blade. I should know more tomarow. My dealer is checking to make sure it is right and see about shipping it out to me.

Did you find the blade at one of the dealers we mentioned? Dyer, retired

 

[Dyer retired]

With that in mind one last markup (I'm sure the engineers at kubota monitor our forums )

Huck,

For those who don't want to spend the money for the hydraulic rotation system, you could buy some steel, do a little welding, and sell them yourself! I think a couple of TBN'ers have found a need, created a solution and built a business around their product. I am in agreement with everyone else that Kubota should have come up with something better than what they did for you. I'm anxious to see the hydraulic project reports in a couple of weeks. I got out of the car this afternoon and it was spitting snow, so we are getting closer all the time. Dyer, retired

 

[muskokaBX24]

Hi Dyer,

Thanks for the info, Princess auto seems like a good source for the parts I need up here in Canada. I am just trying to source the right pump. They have a eaton/char-lynn hydraulic orbit motor for $180 - says it is 2.8 inch displacement. Seems a little pricey but everything costs more in Canada it seems...

 

[Farmall45b]

Deyer,

Yes I have a lead on a blade from one of the dealers you mentioned. I called on Saturday and they said that they had one. My dealer is trying to get ahold of them and work out the details. I am optimistic, but still looking for other options.

 

[Dyer retired]

Hi Dyer,

Thanks for the info, Princess auto seems like a good source for the parts I need up here in Canada. I am just trying to source the right pump. They have a eaton/char-lynn hydraulic orbit motor for $180 - says it is 2.8 inch displacement. Seems a little pricey but everything costs more in Canada it seems...

muskokaBX24,

Seems like you could do better on price over the internet for the motor. I picked the lowest priced motor I could find, then checked to make sure that my tractor hydraulics provided enough gpm to work it. I wasn't concerned with how much power the motor had, because I knew it would take very little force to move the worm gear that rotates the chute. I was surprised that the price of the quick connect fittings, but am glad that I got them. I also could have picked up a good hydraulic motor on e-bay for much less than the new price, but I didn't have any experience with e-bay at the time and knew that ordering a new one from Surplus Center would arrive in a few days with UPS tracking, etc., so I went that route. It was spitting snow a few minutes ago when I went to check the mail and we may get our first layer of the white stuff next Tuesday....it's certainly cold enough. Dyer, retired

 

[Dyer retired]

Deyer,

Yes I have a lead on a blade from one of the dealers you mentioned. I called on Saturday and they said that they had one. My dealer is trying to get ahold of them and work out the details. I am optimistic, but still looking for other options.

Glad to hear it and hope it doesn't cost you too much more than if you picked it up locally. Dyer, retired

 

[kevinj]

I'm waiting on parts from Northern Tool and Surplus Supply to start implementation of your setup. But you got me thinking about a better setup for the manual chute system. I stopped at Lowe's and picked up some 3/4" pvc pipe and connectors. See attached photo. This works as good as the Kubota setup -- actually better in that it puts no strain on the hydraulic control lever. The long piece of PVC flexes so I have to use 2 hands to rotate -- but if I replaced that section with a 3/4" piece of hardwood I'm guessing it would completely solve the issue. Cost? 6 bucks (and not a hole drilled in my new tractor.)

If it were done in steel with a couple of pins for disconnecting it would be a quality solution. I'm surprised Kubota settled for something so poorly designed as their existing setup.

I designed a similar device back when I got the bx1850 only mine was all steel.

 

[huckflynn]

I designed a similar device back when I got the bx1850 only mine was all steel.

Now that's what I'm talking about!

So where the heck is Kubota?

 

[kevinj]

Now that's what I'm talking about!

So where the heck is Kubota?

I did submit the idea via my dealer to Kubota, no action yet !!!!

 

[muskokaBX24]

Hi Dyer,

Ended up being at princess auto today which is about an hour from me. I picked up the pump and what appears to be the same aluminum bracket you have. I also got the coupling. I just need to make up the bracketo to hold the pump bracket and get the hoses done more locally.
As you said I saw some pumps on ebay but by the time I pay the exchange and the shipping I am not sure how far ahead I would be. I also can take anything back to princess auto - they have a great return policy. Just not sure if I can get it all done before the first real snow- I had to blow 4 inches on Sunday.

 

[huckflynn]

Huck,

I thought I should also mention that if you go with the half couplings on the worm gear shaft, you will likely have to grind a 45 degree on the back edge to clear the housing. My picture isn't great for this, but you get the idea. The picture also shows the coupling back on the shaft further than it ended up being, so there is more clearance than what you see. John

John, the parts were delivered last night. I started taking a closer look at the "table" you constructed to attach the motor and mount. I can't tell from the picture but I'm guessing nothing was welded directly to the blower. Rather the angle steel was welded to the top plate and the whole "table" was bolted to the blower through the 3 bolts seen in the photo (2 of which exist in the standard blower. Looks like you drilled the 3rd one.) Yes, no, maybe?

 

[CHDinCT]

I did submit the idea via my dealer to Kubota, no action yet !!!!

One thing you have to remember on this fairly ingenius mod (kudos to you inventors) is that not every BX owner will have the loader mounts, so Kubota's solution would have to take that into account. They'd have to plan for units with and without the loader mount. That said, I'd agree their current design leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[huckflynn]

That said, I'd agree their current design leaves a lot to be desired.

If it was just hokey (which it is) or ineffective (which it is) then I'd say it leaves a lot to be desired. But the biggest problem I have with Kubota's "standard" setup is that I am confident I will damage the hydraulic control lever and/or valve over time and that the damage will most likely occur after my warranty has expired.

The Kubota approach is not worthy of the word "design." It is almost thoughtless.

Still, I've been having fun looking at better ideas.

 

[kevinj]

One thing you have to remember on this fairly ingenius mod (kudos to you inventors) is that not every BX owner will have the loader mounts, so Kubota's solution would have to take that into account. They'd have to plan for units with and without the loader mount. That said, I'd agree their current design leaves a lot to be desired.

I totally agree but people like Kubota only need to look a bit deeper. It may require two different designs to accomodate all applications. The original system that mounted to the control pedestal was a good design. No reason that they could not come up with something to mount on the tractor so the crank could be used properly.

 

[huckflynn]

Huck,

I meant to mention that one half coupling was 3/4 in. and the motor half coupling was 1 in. John

John, I just removed the universal joint from the worm gear and tried the coupling. My shaft is a fraction larger than 3/4 inches. 3/4 is 19.05mm. I'm guessing the shaft is 20mm. Did you have to ream that coupling to get it to fit? (called Northern Tool and they don't carry any metric couplings)

 

[Dyer retired]

Hi Dyer,

Ended up being at princess auto today which is about an hour from me. I picked up the pump and what appears to be the same aluminum bracket you have. I also got the coupling. I just need to make up the bracketo to hold the pump bracket and get the hoses done more locally.
As you said I saw some pumps on ebay but by the time I pay the exchange and the shipping I am not sure how far ahead I would be. I also can take anything back to princess auto - they have a great return policy. Just not sure if I can get it all done before the first real snow- I had to blow 4 inches on Sunday.

It is a lot nicer to deal locally. I also like to avoid the shipping charges when I can and driving an hour is cheaper now than it would have been 6 months ago. Post pictures when you get it rigged. Dyer, retired

 

[Dyer retired]

John, I just removed the universal joint from the worm gear and tried the coupling. My shaft is a fraction larger than 3/4 inches. 3/4 is 19.05mm. I'm guessing the shaft is 20mm. Did you have to ream that coupling to get it to fit? (called Northern Tool and they don't carry any metric couplings)

Huck,

I am remembering that to be an issue for me too. I did take a sanding drum and work the inside of the shaft to the point (it won't take too much work) where it would go on with some assistance. I ground the 45 degree into the back edge and when I was ready to slide it on for the final fitting, I heated the coupling up with a torch, slid it on to where the allen screw hole lined up with the pre-existing hole on the worm gear shaft and let it cool. The heat will almost do the trick without any reaming, but be ready for it to be pretty solidly fixed when it cools. I sunk the allen screw into the existing hole on the shaft, but I really don't think that coupling will move if you miss the hole and just wrench down on the screw where ever it lands. Sorry, I forgot about that part earlier, but it's really about an hour more worth of work total. Sounds like you're getting close? Dyer, retired

 

[huckflynn]

Huck,

I am remembering that to be an issue for me too. I did take a sanding drum and work the inside of the shaft to the point (it won't take too much work) where it would go on with some assistance. I ground the 45 degree into the back edge and when I was ready to slide it on for the final fitting, I heated the coupling up with a torch, slid it on to where the allen screw hole lined up with the pre-existing hole on the worm gear shaft and let it cool. The heat will almost do the trick without any reaming, but be ready for it to be pretty solidly fixed when it cools. I sunk the allen screw into the existing hole on the shaft, but I really don't think that coupling will move if you miss the hole and just wrench down on the screw where ever it lands. Sorry, I forgot about that part earlier, but it's really about an hour more worth of work total. Sounds like you're getting close? Dyer, retired

I found a Lovejoy L099-20mm Jaw Coupling at Drillspot.com that looks like it will fit the bill. I may order that one and tell the guy that is putting the whole thing together for me that he has an option. I like the idea of a tight fit but he may not like the extra effort. I don't want to push my luck.