Spindle fans

[MikeL]

The new 2004 Dixie we got at the cabin has a fan on the center spindle. This does such a good job of keeping the clippings off the deck that I'd like to add them to my 2003. But I have a couple of questions:

1. The factory rep said that the plastic fans are PN 300058. But the ones on the other Dixie are metal, and the parts manual that came with it says PN 300026. Did Dixie switch from metal to plastic? Or vice versa?

2. What tools are needed to get the pulleys, etc. off of the spindles? I think I have a wrench big enough for the nut on the top end of the spindle, but how do you hold the spindle from turning? And what about getting the top pulley off to get the fan inbetween them?

[DC Service]

If you order P/N 300058 you will get metal fans.If you have access to an impact gun(air or electric)You should be able to get the top nut off.The pulleys slip right off.Bill from Fine Lines upgraded his units without a problem.
Good luck! :)

[MikeL]

No air wrench, but my father-in-law has a 3/4" drive socket big enough and I think I have a long enough pipe. :)

When I turn the top bolt by hand the blades spin. What do you hold while you turn the nut? The pulley? The blade?

[Fine Lines Lawn]

On some units, you have to change the spindle pulley guards to add the fans on the outboard spindles. If your mounting holes on the guard are folded back in towards the spindle, you should be fine. If the mounting holes are folded out towards the edge of the deck, you need new guards to add the fans. All the fans that I've seen are metal. I will post a couple pictures when I get home where the camera interface is.

[MikeL]

This is on a 50" X2001. No guards on the spindles, so I'm OK there.

[Fine Lines Lawn]

Well, for those who have guards and want to add fans...
At top is a guard that won't work. At center is the metal fan, and at bottom is tha guard that will work These two guards are for different size decks, so don't let that confuse you. I just wanted to illustrate the manner in which they bolt to the deck.

[luckylawnboy]

Hey Bill I installed the fans to both of my XT's and I can not get over how well they work. WOW this is a must for every one. I am very pleased with them. no more matted stuffed grass. I have not mowed any really wet grass to report on those conditions yet.

[2manymowers]

Are the fans standard equipment on the new XTs?

Thanks,
Neal

[Fine Lines Lawn]

I believe they are Neal.

[2manymowers]

I believe they are Neal.


Thanks Bill,

Neal :)

[Crabgrassman]

I guess this means I will have to make new guards? Or I could just try adding one to the center spindle and see how that works I guess.

[Fine Lines Lawn]

You can get new guards from your dealer, and I don't remember the price, but they're not that much. The new guards are kind of large and when adding them to some of my machines, I had to cut some of them so they didn't extend under the floor pan too much.

[2manymowers]

Why both metal and plastic fans available? I looked at one on the local dealer's demo yesterday and it looks just like the fan on an automotive alternator.

[Fine Lines Lawn]

Yeah, that's what they look like. I have not seen any plastic fans for the deck and don't believe there are any. The only plastic fans I have seen on a Dixie are electric cooling fans that mount over the pumps on some models.

[Crabgrassman]

Bill, you need to look at my pic carefully. Do you notice anything different about my guards? I want to put the same kind back on.

I'm also going to replace that nasty old carpet this winter. I'm going to have truck bedliner sprayed on the floor pan instead of the carpet. It's much easier to clean and it doesn't slip.

[Fine Lines Lawn]

They do look a bit shinier than mine. :)