BX24 HST Fan Replacement

[GlueGuy]

After finding out theat there were no fan blades left on my BX24, I researched the replacement of the $12.00, drive shaft mounted fan and found out these tractors (and possibly others) required disconnecting and then moving the engine forward to allow clearance to insert the fan. What a lot of work! My solution: make it a 2 piece fan! I cut two 1/16" thick pieces of aluminum that spanned most of the distance between the existing bolt holes, Matched the radius of the fan hub ID, but trimmed them to not interfere with the OEM mounting bolts. I clamped them to the fan and drilled two 1/8" holes through the fan and the aluminum on either side of what would be my saw cuts through the fan. I checked to make sure the 1/4" grip range POP rivets fit snugly and then cut the fan in two approximately 90 degrees from the OEM mounting holes. I installed the two fan halves and finger tightened the bolts. I installed the pieces of aluminum and inserted the pop rivets. After securing them I finished tightening the bolts (with a couple of drops of blue threadlocker). The fan runs true and works well. Then I made a split boot for the CV joint from a pie shaped piece of new inner tube! Pics are available

 

[Little Orange]

Well done, excellent, best solution yet for this very difficult problem seen yet.

Others would be well advised to save this posting if they do not have under carriage protection.

Thanks for posting this very "easy" solution.

 

[whitetiger]

To move the engine forward, all you have to do is remove 4 nuts from the rubber iso mounts, lift engine with a cherry picker and move it 1 to 1/2 inches forward. It is much easier than cutting up the new fan, only takes a few minutes to move it. I have had to do it at least a dozen times.

 

[85Hokie]

Damn nice and creative! I think I would rather make the aluminum that move the engine!

SO - cutting the fan in half, and cutting the aluminum and "testing" took more time than placing it on the tractor? I guessing the planning took 3 times longer than the application.

YOU ought to patent that thing! Ronco-matic fan replacement - $29.99 !!!!!!!!

 

[dfh1977]

I think he may have a fix kubota should look into as a fix for the issue of a plastic fan. Kinda makes you wonder why not just make the fan out of aluminum or even steel pieces once they make a replacement as GlueGuy has created and make it so on future models like the 80 series when it releases in future. Really cool fix.


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[GlueGuy]

Thanks all for the kind words! It was one of those "There's got to be a better way" moments... around 3 AM!

 

[dfh1977]

Quite true


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[TripleR]

Very nice, I have seen several variations on your approach, but this is the best I can remember.

The earlier models were fairly easy to replace, had one done on my BX2200, but later ones were a bear according to what I've seen and been told by dealer.

Here is a video of wildfire (Paul Short) doing one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX5EncUkSQo

 

[maclean]

Funny I just replaced my HST fan and CV boots last week. I agree...pulling the engine is pretty simple...two of us just lifted the engine off the bolts and moved it forward. That fan is about the most stupid design decision I have seen anyone make.

So...to hijack the thread...Brotek or BX Expanded skid plates...which ones protect the fan better? The money they are asking plus shipping makes me think I can fab something up myself (option 3.)

-Mac

P.S. And the irony of the fan and boots...$11 for the fan and $6 for the boots makes this the cheapest repair I have ever done to this tractor.

 

[TripleR]

Funny I just replaced my HST fan and CV boots last week. I agree...pulling the engine is pretty simple...two of us just lifted the engine off the bolts and moved it forward. That fan is about the most stupid design decision I have seen anyone make.

So...to hijack the thread...Brotek or BX Expanded skid plates...which ones protect the fan better? The money they are asking plus shipping makes me think I can fab something up myself (option 3.)

-Mac

P.S. And the irony of the fan and boots...$11 for the fan and $6 for the boots makes this the cheapest repair I have ever done to this tractor.

I use Bro Tek as the rear half remains in place with the MMM mounted. Our 2200 fan was trashed while the MMM was mounted.

If you have decent skills you should be able to fab one I believe Paul as well as several others have.

 

[tcrote5516]

I think he may have a fix kubota should look into as a fix for the issue of a plastic fan. Kinda makes you wonder why not just make the fan out of aluminum or even steel pieces


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It's done on purpose to be a weak link. A plastic fan spinning at high rpm hit's something and it bends or breaks causing no damage. A steel fan breaks at high speed and it destroys everything around it or binds up against the HST damaging drive-shaft bearings or slices lines causing HST damage/burns to the operator ect.

I like to keep the spinning blades 8" from my feet plastic

 

[dfh1977]

Makes sense. Was changing oil on tractor and noticed the factory protector was bent. My warning to put plate over area to keep from breaking the fan accidentally.


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[GlueGuy]

I think the proper design would have been a slightly reinforced 2 piece fan where the mounting bolt segments overlapped. That would have maintained alignment easily and allowed much easier replacement.

 

[Steve67]

Glue guy , were you able to install your fan from under the tractor without taking stuff apart from above .. thanks