My first Hydro Cub Cadet, a model 149 (needs help)

[prlwpod]

There isn't a fan that will do a "same or better" job for less money. The old one lasted roughly 40 years and you want to know if there is something better? Seriously???

SERIOUSLY! This above statement of yours is completely false. In about 3 minutes worth of Google searching, I found no less than a dozen aluminum and steel fans for under $10.00, a few of them cost less than $5.00. The other thing (if you had read my previous posts) is that I got the tractor with NO drive-shaft or FAN, so to say that it lasted roughly 40 years is pure conjecture. The reason that I asked the question in the first place is that a lot of "mechanically inclined" people ( Tractor People, I thought ? ) have the ability to think outside the box and come up with a better idea to fix a problem. As I've only been "doing" tractors for less than two years, my knowledge base is limited, that's why I come to tractor forums, TO LEARN!!!, not to be ridiculed. Also, I don't like plastic, it's crap. It's a cheap alternative to a better , but possibly more expensive material, namely METAL. The stuff that tractors are supposed to be made of!! The only two plastic parts that I have found thus far on the 149 is that non-existent fan and that plastic front grill, both need replacing. Another thing, tractors are NOT my only interest, I have several other interesting "hobbies" that I enjoy. I was not born into money and I'm not wealthy today at 61 years old, but I've had the privilege to enjoy many fascinating experiences because I am careful with my money and I always look for a better way to fix a problem. Thanks, Paul Lefebvre

[olds45512]

Your going to replace the grille because it's plastic? Sounds like a waste of time and money to me to replace something that's only there for looks just because it's plastic. What Jon meant is that there are plenty of tractor still out there with the original fan and there now 40 yrs old, point is that it's not a problem that need solved.

[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by prlwpod

SERIOUSLY! This above statement of yours is completely false. In about 3 minutes worth of Google searching, I found no less than a dozen aluminum and steel fans for under $10.00, a few of them cost less than $5.00. The other thing (if you had read my previous posts) is that I got the tractor with NO drive-shaft or FAN, so to say that it lasted roughly 40 years is pure conjecture. The reason that I asked the question in the first place is that a lot of "mechanically inclined" people ( Tractor People, I thought ? ) have the ability to think outside the box and come up with a better idea to fix a problem. As I've only been "doing" tractors for less than two years, my knowledge base is limited, that's why I come to tractor forums, TO LEARN!!!, not to be ridiculed. Also, I don't like plastic, it's crap. It's a cheap alternative to a better , but possibly more expensive material, namely METAL. The stuff that tractors are supposed to be made of!! The only two plastic parts that I have found thus far on the 149 is that non-existent fan and that plastic front grill, both need replacing. Another thing, tractors are NOT my only interest, I have several other interesting "hobbies" that I enjoy. I was not born into money and I'm not wealthy today at 61 years old, but I've had the privilege to enjoy many fascinating experiences because I am careful with my money and I always look for a better way to fix a problem. Thanks, Paul Lefebvre

Then go buy buy another fan. It has been my experience that unless something gets in one of those "cheap junk plastic" fans you in your very limited experience are complaining about, they last nearly the life of the machine. I have several tractors that still have the original fan and are roughly 40 years old...

It's not about thinking outside the box, it's about being too cheap to just order the fan that costs $20 delivered to your door.... if you found all those other fans in just a few minutes of searching, and you really believe you can have them delivered to your door and can mount them up, then by all means jump on it. To most people, it's easier to just pay the money for the right fan and bolt it on. So... yeah, seriously.... do whatever your want. I've spent right at 20 years repairing equipment as a professional mechanic, 15 years of which was in my own business. I'm sure my "professional" opinion isn't valid. You sound like so many of the people I had to deal with toward the end..... take their work elsewhere to save $10.

[vr4Legacy]

Originally Posted by prlwpod

SERIOUSLY! This above statement of yours is completely false. In about 3 minutes worth of Google searching, I found no less than a dozen aluminum and steel fans for under $10.00, a few of them cost less than $5.00.

How many of those fans have the proper diameter opening, and are the proper diameter outside? There is limited room in there, so you need to find exactly the proper size. Also, you want to make sure the center diameter is exactly correct too, as it's on a driveshaft spinning 3600 rpms. Get it slightly off center, and it's gonna cause vibrations, Especially if you put a heavier metal fan on there. Oh and don't forget to get one that blows the proper direction.

The other thing to consider is that the fan mounts with a snap ring along a groove (I think), so you need to make sure you find a fan that has that ability too. I'd be weary of using anything with a threaded fastener as it will easily vibrate out if you don't have a set screw too.

The reason that I asked the question in the first place is that a lot of "mechanically inclined" people ( Tractor People, I thought ? ) have the ability to think outside the box and come up with a better idea to fix a problem.

You asked for a better solution at a cheaper price. As noted, there isn't one. I mean, it's a fan, it blows air. These Cubs aren't prone to overheating the hydro so long as you keep the fins clean in the back. Finding one that blows more air won't really achieve anything better. As mentioned the fans last plenty long enough even though they are made of "cheap plastic". (On a side note, many modern plastics are proven to be stronger and lighter than their metal counterparts. Plastic does not always equal cheap or weak.)


I'm not trying to come off rough, and I don't think any of the prior statements were too sharp tongued. Just simply telling you why it won't work and advising you to save the effort and likely money.

Also, you'll find some of the more knowledgable, tenured members here can come off as short in their posts. Don't take it personally. They've been round and round on some of these topics. Sometimes a firm "no, stop wasting your time and listen to us" saves everyone. Trust me, you'll get plenty of great, thorough advice when you ask a tricky question.

[Jnip87]

I'm pretty new to this website and to tractors as well, but I can say that I have learned a lot and an still learning a lot from this site. I have learned that if I do enough digging i can usually find someone who has done what I'm doing before me and had already asked the questions that I have, before I found this post I screen shot two different posts with part numbers that I am going to need, another thing I have learned is that J-Mech has little patience for stupid questions, mostly because hr has already answered then 20+ times and short patience for the ones who just get on here asking for someone else to do the digging for them. I have enjoyed J-Mechs responses to people on here and I get a good laugh out of them. Mostly because I understand his frustrations.

That being said, just check you local dealer and you can usually avoid the shipping charges.

[aagitch]

I would prefer the plastic fan over a metal one. At least then if something such as debris, or something coming loose gets into the fan, it'll take out the fan instead of hitting a metal fan and causing who knows what kind of damage.

[Steve149]

I replaced the one on my 149 and spent like $10 and some change at the local dealer.

[mrfred54]

the drive shaft fan is usually in stock at most cub dealers,or they can have one in three days. make sure you install it properly as I have seen them installed backwards.

[prlwpod]

No, I am not replacing the front grill because it is plastic , I was considering replacing it because it is partially melted and very ugly looking BECAUSE it is made of plastic. If someone was selling steel or cast iron reproductions of that front grille , I'd buy it in a second (if not too pricey! ). Can't really see putting another plastic grill in front of a hot muffler as I would i expect it to melt as well. Carbon/Kevlar, now thats something I'd really like to learn (working with it). Thanks, Paul

[DeltaCub]

Originally Posted by prlwpod

No, I am not replacing the front grill because it is plastic , I was considering replacing it because it is partially melted and very ugly looking BECAUSE it is made of plastic. If someone was selling steel or cast iron reproductions of that front grille , I'd buy it in a second (if not too pricey! ). Can't really see putting another plastic grill in front of a hot muffler as I would i expect it to melt as well. Carbon/Kevlar, now thats something I'd really like to learn (working with it). Thanks, Paul

The grills are, typically, very durable. Oftentimes, they get damaged from heat due to clogged cooling fins or debris from animals nesting inside flywheel blower housing.