BX25 - HST fan blade trashed

[xitian]

I submitted this in another thread so apologies if you've already read it. A couple of weeks ago I had the same thing happen - Brotek rear shield in place (but no front shield) and with the shaft plate also in place; but nonetheless in driving through the woods a thin tree managed to snake its way up and stripped all of the blades in a second.

Rather than go through the prescribed process to replace the fan, I fashioned (an idea from another post) replacement sheet metal blades (only 5 rather than the original 10) and screwed and glued them onto the plastic hub. It seems to be working although only time will tell. I also shielded the hydralic lines next to the fan in the event that a metal blade flies off or (more damagingly) comes partially off and hits the line while spinning.

I like the idea of that. I see a lot of other metal fans for sell on the internet. I wandering if one could be modifed to fit...

 

[xitian]

Well I completed surgery and installed a new fan today. I took my time and got it done within 5-6 hours. The only trouble I had was where the bolts thread into the grab handles in the back on the rear fenders. One of the inner nuts came out so I epoxied it back into the plastic. A lot of work for that little fan...sure wish someone like Multi-Wing America could come up with a metal version for us. I put my hand behind it and it does give of a good bit of air. Don't forget to keep the fins behind clear of debris.

Here are some picture of her naked with the new fan installed:

 

[J F]

Wow, that IS naked. :laughing:

 

[Mowbizz]

Wow, that IS naked. :laughing:

My thought exactly!

 

[CHDinCT]

I think I posted this some years back, but if Kubota sticks with the fan for cooling the HST, they should make that "hump" or "bubble" just under the seat a removable panel rather than part of the floor board. Would make it a whole lot easier to get to the fan, though you'd still have to disconnect the drive shaft to RR it. Anyway, nice work, and it do look clean under your BX. Did you wash it or something once apart?

 

[xitian]

I think I posted this some years back, but if Kubota sticks with the fan for cooling the HST, they should make that "hump" or "bubble" just under the seat a removable panel rather than part of the floor board. Would make it a whole lot easier to get to the fan, though you'd still have to disconnect the drive shaft to RR it. Anyway, nice work, and it do look clean under your BX. Did you wash it or something once apart?

Thanks. Yep I cleaned her up good while it was apart. A cover over the fan would have sure made it easier!

 

[Tollster]

Good job, after looking at the "naked" shots, I can get a much better idea of where everything fits under her coat.

 

[bitwave]

After reading several posts on the subject I went and checked underneath mine and sure enough the same surprise on my 2011 BX25. Its a PFP (pretty f^&King pathetic) design IMO and not sure I will replace it. My quick solution was; I ordered the BXPanded Under Armor and a 3" Attwood electric bilge blower, cost was $18. The fan moves a good amount of volume, probably more then the factory fan mounted to the shaft in close quarters. I mounted the blower on the topside of the of the under armor to the left of the lift pump and had plenty of room. I then tapped into the lift pump power harness ahead of the connector for the pump so it turns on/off with the ignition. You definitely know the fan is on because it sound like a little turbine taking off until the sound of the diesel comes to life. The fan draw is only a few amps so I'm not concerned of overloading a circuit because the lift pump is a beefy one. I used a male/female connection in case I need to drop the under armor off the tractor for service. The hole install took about 45 minutes to complete and I feel pretty confident there is plenty of air volume cooling the hst now. The fan actually draws cooler air further from the hst and moves it out the rear, checked it with a smoke test. Hopefully this turns out to be a viable solution. Does anyone have an idea what temps the hst are running at? I will be monitoring my operating temps and may install a permanent gauge it more easily to check soon.

 

[Happy Gilmore]

After reading several posts on the subject I went and checked underneath mine and sure enough the same surprise on my 2011 BX25. Its a PFP (pretty f^&King pathetic) design IMO and not sure I will replace it. My quick solution was; I ordered the BXPanded Under Armor and a 3" Attwood electric bilge blower, cost was $18. The fan moves a good amount of volume, probably more then the factory fan mounted to the shaft in close quarters. I mounted the blower on the topside of the of the under armor to the left of the lift pump and had plenty of room. I then tapped into the lift pump power harness ahead of the connector for the pump so it turns on/off with the ignition. You definitely know the fan is on because it sound like a little turbine taking off until the sound of the diesel comes to life. The fan draw is only a few amps so I'm not concerned of overloading a circuit because the lift pump is a beefy one. I used a male/female connection in case I need to drop the under armor off the tractor for service. The hole install took about 45 minutes to complete and I feel pretty confident there is plenty of air volume cooling the hst now. The fan actually draws cooler air further from the hst and moves it out the rear, checked it with a smoke test. Hopefully this turns out to be a viable solution. Does anyone have an idea what temps the hst are running at? I will be monitoring my operating temps and may install a permanent gauge it more easily to check soon.

We need pics

 

[wild bill]

Does anyone have an idea what temps the hst are running at? I will be monitoring my operating temps and may install a permanent gauge it more easily to check soon.

Post #15 of this thread http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/212864-bx25-transmission-filter-relocation-cooler-2.html shows an infrared thermometer reading of 184.