Guidelines for Slack in Drive Belt - 312-8

[whbob2 1]

Are there any guidelines for 1)how tight the belt is when clutch is released and 2) how loose the belt is when the clutch is engaged? Is there only the one adjustment that controls the idler pully when the clutch is released? I get metallic banging sounds when I depress the clutch - belt banging sheetmetal, I took the cover off and the belt has a ton of play when the clutch is depressed. The clutch does not slip when engaged. The tractor has not thrown any belts yet and the belt looks brand new - no wear. The tractor has 4 hours and sat 22 years in the dealers warehouse. I first thought that the belt might have been affected by being stored all that time in one position. I am reluctant to do anything as long as long as there is no slippage and the belt stays on the machine. Is it possible that the belt stretched during storage for 22 years?

[WH854 44]

Are there any guidelines for 1)how tight the belt is when clutch is released and 2) how loose the belt is when the clutch is engaged? Is there only the one adjustment that controls the idler pully when the clutch is released? I get metallic banging sounds when I depress the clutch - belt banging sheetmetal, I took the cover off and the belt has a ton of play when the clutch is depressed. The clutch does not slip when engaged. The tractor has not thrown any belts yet and the belt looks brand new - no wear. The tractor has 4 hours and sat 22 years in the dealers warehouse. I first thought that the belt might have been affected by being stored all that time in one position. I am reluctant to do anything as long as long as there is no slippage and the belt stays on the machine. Is it possible that the belt stretched during storage for 22 years?

When I was a young lad we used a stuff that we called belt dressing I don't even know if you can get it any more(22 years might have made it a little stiff in one place If you know what I mean. BTW Chas

[dave in A.P. 4]

I've had this same problem. The belt has "set" in this position, turn it by hand , you will see when the "curves" are in the flat space between crank and idler ,you will have a hump in the belt, it drives the idler pully/ spring crazy, and will smack the belt guard also make clutch pedal jump when your foots not on it.

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,405]

Go get a new 7473 drive belt from a TORO/Wheel Horse dealer. Should fix your problem.

Mike................

[dbartlett1958 96]

I had this same experience just the other day with my 416-H that I recently acquired. This tractor has sat for many years as well and when running I got a lot of belt noise from the belt that drives the transmission as the "set" spot would bang the tensioner every time around. If it doesn't improve after running a bit, I will change the belt. All said, it is a pretty easy fix.

David

[cjtrott 6]

Yeah, the belts are about 20 bucks depending on the dealer's stock. I know mine had a broken roll pin in the pivot point that made it do the same thing, but I bet the belt would do the trick. I wouldn't mind seeing a picture of this machine if it is that old and only has 4 hours

[stevasaurus 22,868]

The last thing you want to do is use belt dressing on the drive belt. It will make the belt stick and the trans will not stop when you depress the clutch. What you might do is clean the belt and pulleys with mineral spirits. The belt should slip on the drive pulley when the clutch is depressed...thus no slap on the belt when it is not turning. If you have slap in the belt when it is engaged...could be a stretched belt or you may be missing one or more of the fingers attached to the belt guard or mounted on the tractor. These fingers keep the belt in place when the clutch is depressed. Try cleaning first, and when you have the guard off look and see that all the fingers/guides are there. :)

[whbob2 1]

Pictures are on MyTractorForum.com under wheel horse sub forum. Search for "crate". Post date of 9-30-2011 by whbob.

[WH854 44]

The last thing you want to do is use belt dressing on the drive belt. It will make the belt stick and the trans will not stop when you depress the clutch. What you might do is clean the belt and pulleys with mineral spirits. The belt should slip on the drive pulley when the clutch is depressed...thus no slap on the belt when it is not turning. If you have slap in the belt when it is engaged...could be a stretched belt or you may be missing one or more of the fingers attached to the belt guard or mounted on the tractor. These fingers keep the belt in place when the clutch is depressed. Try cleaning first, and when you have the guard off look and see that all the fingers/guides are there.

I didn't think of that Steve

Chas

[stevasaurus 22,868]

I know Chas...I learned the hard way...tried that once and after I cleaned it all up the belt worked great. :)