BX2360 - Broken HST Fan - Thinking about putting a rigid coupling on the shaft

[ruffdog]

I have used lots of those McMaster-Carr couplings and they are a quality product.

 

[dodge man]

I bought a Kubota skid plat for mine. It probably helps but is still a pain to take off and on. I take it off when I put the mower on. I got lazy and stopped putting it on. I know that I am taking a chance.

 

[Zick]

5. Devise two piece fan assembly; cut a fan in half, drill 2 more holes, make a two 2 piece thin steel plates matching holes on the coupling, drill holes to match the fan and tap for 1/4 bolts. Install he plates offset of the cuts. Looks like the fan bolts can be accessed (not easily) from underneath

Numbers 1 and 3-5 have been done by various posters, 2 is the OPs unproven idea. 5 is my unproven pet idea.

Here is someone who did exactly this.
BX24 HST Fan Replacement - OrangeTractorTalks - Everything Kubota

 

[CasualObserver]

Looking at what he did, I still do not understand how he accessed the two original bolts that hold the fan on from the transmission side. How did he get enough clearance to even access them without sliding the shaft forward? Maybe I am missing something obvious. I understand how he riveted the plates he made onto it when he reassembled it.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Thanks well thought out reply Ron. I have seen most of your ideas in different posts by different people - many creative ways to address this out there.

For the coupler I was looking at the clearance to separate them in the future...hopefully enough there - will be tight. I figured worse case is I have to spend another $75 for a new shaft if it doesn't work out. Never dealt with couplers - reason I am asking here in the first place. The one I linked uses eight bolts to tighten it down, supposed to have solid tight friction clamping. Appears to be the best one of the various couplers I have found for higher torque and RPM ratings and I trust McMaster to be accurate about those. Not sure how that would be loose when mounted like you mention you have seen in the past. I figured that would be an issue with ones that only used set screws to hold them in place.

Thanks for your reply!

I see no space for a flanged coupling, and like you don't trust the set screw type. That is why I feel it would have to a spline type and not in the middle of thr shaft. Alignment and balance are my biggest concerns.

Ron

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Thanks well thought out reply Ron. I have seen most of your ideas in different posts by different people - many creative ways to address this out there.

For the coupler I was looking at the clearance to separate them in the future...hopefully enough there - will be tight. I figured worse case is I have to spend another $75 for a new shaft if it doesn't work out. Never dealt with couplers - reason I am asking here in the first place. The one I linked uses eight bolts to tighten it down, supposed to have solid tight friction clamping. Appears to be the best one of the various couplers I have found for higher torque and RPM ratings and I trust McMaster to be accurate about those. Not sure how that would be loose when mounted like you mention you have seen in the past. I figured that would be an issue with ones that only used set screws to hold them in place.

Thanks for your reply!

If they made those 2 piece couplings as a spline type it would be great. Still a machine shop process$$$.

Ron

 

[Tractor Seabee]

4. Devise a an oil cooler system to cool the oil externally with a tranny cooler and fan fabrication.

For anyone that did not see the original thread, here is a link to it.
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/212864-bx25-transmission-filter-relocation-cooler.html

The very causes of broken fans would also make any external cooler as much or more vulnerable; especially the one you referred too. Working in woods and brush; mower and ground contact attachments do not create that risk. I have risked other problems by running w/o the fan when production would suffer from down time. Over 1500 hrs I would probably have broken 6 or more fans versus the 2 I have. I have zeroed in on a potential oil temp gauge assembly also. Using a HF temp gun have noted during cooler weather it take a lot longer to reach critical temp. One risk after another. I did not buy my BX as a mower or rototiller.

Ron

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Here is someone who did exactly this.
BX24 HST Fan Replacement - OrangeTractorTalks - Everything Kubota

Yes, I saw that also. It is in the planning scenario with what I thing will be some improvements. Have to wait till I get it into the shop and really look at it in different perspectives.

Ron