HST without fan
- Thread starter kchear1
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DavidAubke
Silver Member
In another thread I remember somebody saying that they didn't discover their fan was missing most of its fins until they took it in for periodic service. So theirs ran for some indeterminate amount of time - longer than just a limp back to the garage - without frying.
I wouldn't risk it though. That little fan moves a bunch of air and it's the only active cooling the hydraulics have. Even without using an attachment, just driving a hydrostatic transmission involves compression and heat.
On my BX2350, after removing the bolt that locks the driveshaft onto the transmission spindle, the shaft could be retracted a few inches to allow access to the fan bolts. It just won't move enough to be completely removed.
I wouldn't risk it though. That little fan moves a bunch of air and it's the only active cooling the hydraulics have. Even without using an attachment, just driving a hydrostatic transmission involves compression and heat.
On my BX2350, after removing the bolt that locks the driveshaft onto the transmission spindle, the shaft could be retracted a few inches to allow access to the fan bolts. It just won't move enough to be completely removed.
LBrown59
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2004
- Messages
- 16,831
- Tractor
- 2003 Kubota BX1500/2004 Kubota Bx23/2005 Kubota BX1500
Don't run it at all .
In summer? Wouldn't run it at all.
good question. I don't think anyone really knows. For thoses who broke thiers probably drove it enough to get it from point A to point B to get it fixed and not under working conditions. question is , why do you ask? do you want to attempt to use it without the fan? do you feel lucky? sorry - I don't think any of us is going to condone using the kubota's without the HST fan in place due to fact we LOVE our kubota's and its a very expensive, most useful piece of machinery.
rdsaustintx
Veteran Member
Nope.
On my BX2350, after removing the bolt that locks the driveshaft onto the transmission spindle, the shaft could be retracted a few inches to allow access to the fan bolts. It just won't move enough to be completely removed.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for that, I will give that a shot to see how much access that will give me.
Thanks for that, I will give that a shot to see how much access that will give me.
rexcramer
Silver Member
After fixing my fan I realized how much air that little fan really moves.
If you are in a pinch and have to move the machine without a fan, you are fine until you cant put your hand on the tranny pumpkin without feeling discomfort from the heat. A few degrees after that the hydraulic fluid gets too thin and starts to break down, a few degrees after that and your tranny is toast.
If you are in a pinch and have to move the machine without a fan, you are fine until you cant put your hand on the tranny pumpkin without feeling discomfort from the heat. A few degrees after that the hydraulic fluid gets too thin and starts to break down, a few degrees after that and your tranny is toast.
I don't think I would use mine at all if possible without the cooling fan. Rexcramer, as far as touching the tranny and feeling hot, even with the fan working great I notice my transmission feels too warm to hold my hand on when it has been working. I checked and everything is fine, they just get hot when working and that with a fan! I bet it wouldn't take any time at all to get hot without one.
Good luck with getting it fixed up-TPS
Good luck with getting it fixed up-TPS
Sniggle
Silver Member
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2008
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- 233
- Location
- Jefferson County, WV
- Tractor
- 2003 Kubota B7800 (new to me @ 435 hours
I am 'experimenting' with my G1900 lawn tractor. Last fall I put a new drive shaft on it, and repalced the fan at the same time. This spring when I was spreading fertilizer (before I put the deck back on which would have protected the fan) a stick jumped up and took out 4 of the 6 blades, making it look like a propellor.
I can't tell you what a PITA it was to get the new drive shaft to seat deep enough onto the tranny hub, and I could not bring myself to try to remove it to replace the fan (I do have a new one on hand).
So, I have been running this summer with 2 blades, probably 1/3 the standard airflow over the tranny hub. I have often felt the hub after mowing, and it does not seem too terribly hot. Of course, the G1900 only uses hydraulics to lift/drop the deck and ofcourse to operate the HST. My property is pretty flat, so the tranny does not have to work all that hard.
I plan to replace the hydraulic fluid this fall, and see if I can get the shaft off to change out the fan. I have pulled the hydraulic fluid dip stick, and the fluid still appears clear so I am keeping my fingers crossed.
I can't tell you what a PITA it was to get the new drive shaft to seat deep enough onto the tranny hub, and I could not bring myself to try to remove it to replace the fan (I do have a new one on hand).
So, I have been running this summer with 2 blades, probably 1/3 the standard airflow over the tranny hub. I have often felt the hub after mowing, and it does not seem too terribly hot. Of course, the G1900 only uses hydraulics to lift/drop the deck and ofcourse to operate the HST. My property is pretty flat, so the tranny does not have to work all that hard.
I plan to replace the hydraulic fluid this fall, and see if I can get the shaft off to change out the fan. I have pulled the hydraulic fluid dip stick, and the fluid still appears clear so I am keeping my fingers crossed.
ampsucker
Platinum Member
another option is to take a cue from the import tuners. replace the mechanical fan with an electric one.
in the short term, you could probably get by with a 15 dollar 12 volt one. just tie strap it up there in front of the HST and run it off the 12 volt socket.
just sayin...
amp
in the short term, you could probably get by with a 15 dollar 12 volt one. just tie strap it up there in front of the HST and run it off the 12 volt socket.
just sayin...
amp
Hey, the electric fan could be a cheap alternative to spending to replace the original fan. Connect it in series with a temperature switch, so it comes on when the transmission starts getting hot.
Working as a mechanic for many years, I found an easy way to roughly check block or trans temperature. If you can touch and keep your fingers on the surface, It's 120F or less. If you can touch for three seconds, about 130F. If after 1 second, you go ouch, then it is 150+F. If you can spit on the surface and it sizzles, it's getting pretty **** hot.
The bottom line is, most hydraulic oils are safe to temperatures exceeding 250F. I have worked my BX23 hard enough that the cylinders have reached nearly 200F, and that is with the fan intact and turning at rated speed. I wouldn't be afraid to move the tractor from point A to point B, as long as you pay attention to the temperature.
Working as a mechanic for many years, I found an easy way to roughly check block or trans temperature. If you can touch and keep your fingers on the surface, It's 120F or less. If you can touch for three seconds, about 130F. If after 1 second, you go ouch, then it is 150+F. If you can spit on the surface and it sizzles, it's getting pretty **** hot.
The bottom line is, most hydraulic oils are safe to temperatures exceeding 250F. I have worked my BX23 hard enough that the cylinders have reached nearly 200F, and that is with the fan intact and turning at rated speed. I wouldn't be afraid to move the tractor from point A to point B, as long as you pay attention to the temperature.