Importance of Fan?
 

I was talking to an old guy that worked repairs in a Cub dealership. He said the fan on the drive shaft doesn't really do a whole lot. He said in 40 years working there he never encountered a problem due to the loss of the fan. What do you all think?

I find another Cub Cadet dealer.

I agree with merk mine needs replacing as its missing one blade but it puts a ton of air out the back of my 149 when running... It might not cause immediate trouble but cool things run and last longer.

I talked to a IH Cub Cadet mechanic of 40 years and he says that the drive shaft fan is important because the hydro pump gets HOT when you are running it. This is one of the reasons why it is unpainted. He also recommends cleaning it off with compressed air (the hydro pump) when stuff gets built up so it'll run cooler. I also agree with getting another dealer. There is a reason the factory put them there.

It's your tractor, run it with no fan and tell us how that works for you. :biggrin2:

The hydos get hot enough with a fan, especially when plowing. I can't imagine running one without it. I know you sure can feel a lot of air coming out of the back of a super.

He wasn't anyone other than someone I met a long way from home that wanted to talk cubs. Strange how that happens with one on the trailer. I had always heard they were very important just as drglinski said and this was news to me. I also often refer to the fact that "there is a reason they did it that way", especially with IH. Just wanted a second, third, fourth and fifth opinion. :beerchug: Mine broke on the 1650 which is what brought the subject up. I've not done one - yet - but they look like a pain. I'll have to see. Thanks for the input.

Mine is missing from my 1650 also. And i had replaced one in a 1450 and yes they can be a pain. There are two ways to do it. You can unbolt the grille, engine and slide the engine forward to then take out the shaft, or you can split the tractor by unbolting the rear end and sliding it out of the frame to get the shaft out. Ive done it by way of the engine and talk about a headache getting everything lined back up again! :bash2: But i think that's the nature of the beast for the hydros.

That little fan moves some air, it is no oil cooler!!

The effect of the fan has more to do with the use of the tractor.

Partial hydro speed mowing on level ground, the fan will have no effect.

Full horsepower garden plowing it will have a lot of effect.

Full horsepower garden rototilling, the fan will have no effect.

It is up to you!! :bigthink:

The 1650 runs smooth(est) at full throttle. I just use full throttle pretty much all the time. I've been without the fan for a while now and it's been long enough to start to bother me that it isn't right. So far there seems to be no ill effect on the tractor including burning the oil. I want to get another machine up and going right first which will take serious time. This new machine will take the place of the 1650 while it get tore down, gone over and painted.